Seah Mui Kok
Singapore
“Members of this House will support the recommendations of this Report if appropriate amendments as proposed by us are accepted. The Minister for Health has to give this assurance to this House.”
“The Member for Anson was saying that the workers of Singapore have lost their rights, and become serfs and slaves. Do not talk nonsense. Be more intelligent. I was the General Secretary of the United Workers of Petroleum Industry for 17 years.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not a lawyer. But from the question raised by the Member for Anson that money deposited with the Government and statutory boards does not earn interest, I would like to know whether a lawyer pays interest on money put by his client into the lawyer's office. An hon. Member: Second account.”
“Sir, may I join the debate and say a few words just to clarify a point? Singapore has too many first-class, second-class and third-class divisions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members of this House have heard the Hon. Minister of Defence saying that our Singapore military reservists are actually front-line soldiers. I fully agree with him and I support him. May I suggest to the Hon. Minister that instead of calling them "reservists", let us call them front-line soldiers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although we are laughing, I think we have to be very serious about this matter. As far as Members of this House are concerned, I think the Singapore Government has the money, plenty of money. Some hon. Members: Yes. Mr Seah Mui Kok: We are not poor.”
The complete record
Every one of 195 lines we hold for Seah Mui Kok, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 4.
“Members of this House will support the recommendations of this Report if appropriate amendments as proposed by us are accepted. The Minister for Health has to give this assurance to this House. However, may I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman and members of the Committee on the Problems of the Aged for making the various recommendations to help the senior citizens to live a healthy, active and happy life. 4.20 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Report of the Committee on, the Problems of the Aged is quite comprehensive for the senior citizens to live a better life, free from poverty, suffering and neglect. One recommendation concerns extending the age to withdraw the CPF money to 60 years and finally to 65 years. This particular recommendation is not acceptable by the young and old of both sexes. They prefer to get their CPF money in full when they reach the age of 55 years. It should be amended accordingly. I am quite confident that most senior citizens, when they retire at the age of 55, are capable of taking care of themselves as well as their CPF money and how to make good use of it, rather than to squander away foolishly. I would suggest that the full withdrawal of CPF money for those reaching 55 years old should continue till the year 1990. As from the year 1991 onwards, half of the CPF money should be paid to those reaching the age of 55 years and the balance to be withdrawn before they reach 60 years old. The age for withdrawal of CPF money should not be raised to 65 years as most of them will not be able to enjoy it. No one would like to work for 30 or 35 years and get his or her CPF money at the age of 65 years when he or she can hardly enjoy it since most of them would die before the age of 70 years. If the age for the withdrawal of CPF money is raised to 60 years, then all workers of both sexes should be given the right to work and retire till they reach this age. If they are medically unfit to work till the age of 60 years, then they can retire earlier, The Government must also pass a law to say that all workers are entitled to work till the age of 60, if the withdrawal age of CPF money is raised to the age of 60 as well. Hon.”
“No, Sir. I just want to put in a few words.”
“The Member for Anson was saying that the workers of Singapore have lost their rights, and become serfs and slaves. Do not talk nonsense. Be more intelligent. I was the General Secretary of the United Workers of Petroleum Industry for 17 years. There were no strikes at all in the oil company but negotiations, improvement of wages, improvement of conditions of service, improvement of fringe benefits, annual wage supplements from 2 1/2 months to 3 months. Do you mean to say my petroleum workers are serfs? Utter rubbish. Sir, I do not want to be lengthy and talk nonsense in this Chamber. I would urge the workers of Singapore to fully support this Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill. Then more investors will come, more jobs will be available and more money to go round. Everybody will be happy and we can enjoy life. 4.53 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill. From my more than 20 years of experience and service as a trade unionist, I think the trend has changed. The days of wild-cat strikes, confrontation, fighting employers, banging tables, are out. Trade unionists in negotiating with the employers have to use their intelligence and also have to have facts and figures in the negotiation for a better collective agreement. The beauty of all this is that it is being moulded and guided by the NTUC, and the philosophy of the Government and the NTUC on the importance of tripartite cooperation, i.e. cooperation between workers, employers and the Government is the right thing. Because of tripartite cooperation, we have industrial peace, progress and prosperity in Singapore. The workers, the employers and the people of Singapore are enjoying the fruits of their labour. We have heard a lengthy talk by the Member for Anson. It is all utter rubbish. They are out of date. They are out of time, the changes that have occurred in Singapore. If we expect the Member for Anson to lead Singapore, I think the state of Singapore's economy will be less than $18-plus. The Workers' Party of Singapore - how many workers does he have in his Party? It is high time he changed the name of the Party. How many unions are in support of the Workers' Party?”
“He is out of order. It has nothing to do with trade unions. It is politics, Mr Speaker, Sir.”
“There is no interest at all. Maybe the Member for Anson is paying interest to the people. I do not know. Let us face the facts.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not a lawyer. But from the question raised by the Member for Anson that money deposited with the Government and statutory boards does not earn interest, I would like to know whether a lawyer pays interest on money put by his client into the lawyer's office. An hon. Member: Second account.”
“Sir, may I join the debate and say a few words just to clarify a point? Singapore has too many first-class, second-class and third-class divisions. I want the Minister for Communications to inform Members of this House what class do our letters with no stamp or postage on them fit in when Members of Parliament send letters to the various Ministries?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members of this House have heard the Hon. Minister of Defence saying that our Singapore military reservists are actually front-line soldiers. I fully agree with him and I support him. May I suggest to the Hon. Minister that instead of calling them "reservists", let us call them front-line soldiers. And this will definitely encourage them and they will be very happy. Rather than "Reservists' Association", call it "Front-Line Soldiers Association".”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although we are laughing, I think we have to be very serious about this matter. As far as Members of this House are concerned, I think the Singapore Government has the money, plenty of money. Some hon. Members: Yes. Mr Seah Mui Kok: We are not poor. It is a fact that for a new town, we must at least have a police station. Ang Mo Kio New Town has 200,000 people. Does it mean that we cannot afford to have a police station in Ang Mo Kio? The whole trouble is that we always have to call in the experts, the specialists, task force! On this matter, the Minister for Home Affairs is the one who knows best and the Minister for Finance must listen to him and pay. We want a police station in Ang Mo Kio. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“Sir, I am glad that the Acting Minister for Social Affairs has given us the assurance that there is a Public Assistance Review Committee to review the public assistance allowance that is given to the poor people. But I would like to have another kind of assurance from the Minister. There was the case of a Social Welfare Officer who came to know that a recipient has a daughter who is married and that she has the means to support him. There was a written assurance given by the daughter that she will support the father with a sum of $80 p.m. This written assurance was interpreted into Hokkien to the daughter. After some time the father came and said that the daughter did not give him the money. Therefore, Sir, I want the assurance of this Review Committee that in cases where the son or daughter who gives such kind of assurance in writing in order to save face but does not actually give the money to the parents, this Review Committee will see that the son or daughter who has given the assurance of supporting the parent actually hands over the money to the Social Welfare Department so that there is no nonsense or bluff about giving support. If that assurance is given, I will be happy.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the motion in the name of the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry. 3.10 p.m.”
“More productivity committees should be formed and the scheme of productivity payment should be worked out between the management and the union. Sir, the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry stated in his Budget statement that for FY 1980, income tax is expected to yield $1,423 million. I am happy to know that there is an increase of 30,459 taxpayers for the year 1979. May I congratulate him for giving us this good news. Also, the good work of the Comptroller of Income Tax and all his staff should be appreciated. I hope, for the year 1980, another 40,000 new taxpayers could be included, especially the self-employed. Surely the self-employed people who are owners of private houses, bungalows, luxurious flats, with Mercedes cars, can afford to pay income tax. The Registrar of Companies, the Registrar of Title Deeds and the Registrar of Vehicles can help to net in more tax evaders. Sir, I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry for his general reduction in personal income tax rates which gives relief to all without shrinking our taxpaying population with effect from Year of Assessment 1980. Sir, I appreciate the granting of a tax relief of $750 if a taxpayer maintains a brother or sister who is incapacitated by physical or mental infirmity and who does not earn any income and continues to depend on the taxpayer. Although the amount granted is not really substantial, something is better than nothing. Perhaps it may be necessary to put ail handicapped persons in a comfortable place with medical staff to look after them on the payment of a reasonable fee so that the handicapped person's mother, brother or sister can go to work and earn some income to help the family and so need not be tied down to care for them.”
“I hope the oil producing and industrialised countries will get together to solve these heart-aching problems. Unless all these problems are solved as soon as possible, the people of the developing countries will be so frustrated and disgusted that there will be global economic chaos and more unemployment leading to more revolution, bloodshed and aggression. Sir, it is gratifying to see the full cooperation and unity of ASEAN. It has achieved full recognition as a regional grouping and gained the respect of USA, Britain, Europe, Japan and various other countries. Recently, ASEAN signed an Economic Cooperation Agreement with the European Community in Kuala Lumpur. Sir, ASEAN must keep a good watch on our own region and the world situation, especially the occupation of Kampuchea by Vietnam and the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. It is very clear that both countries are indulging on territorial expansionism which is a danger to world peace. ASEAN should maintain its non-aligned policy and not allow itself to be used as a pawn by the superpowers. We should always maintain our ASEAN interest and help whatever we can to achieve world peace and understanding. However, the United Nations Organisation must do its best to see that the Soviet Union and Vietnam withdraw from Afghanistan and Kampuchea respectively without further delay. Sir, I fully support the intention of the Minister for Trade and Industry to harness our workers to produce higher value-added and skilled manufactures and services, and to develop our human resources, Also, we have to seriously look into the question of giving some monetary incentive payment to the workers for upgrading their skills and increasing their productivity.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in this House in congratulating the Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry for presenting a painless and acceptable Budget in Parliament on 5th March 1980. He also granted tax concessions on several items as well as a general reduction in personal income tax rates and granting tax relief for handicapped children, which we appreciate very much. I am glad that Singapore's economic performance in 1979 is better than 1978 and the real GDP growth rose by 9.3%. It is more heartening to know that all sectors of our economy expanded, i.e. manufacturing, transport, communication, construction, etc. With the full cooperation of the Government, management and labour, we can make the year 1980 another year of economic progress, industrial expansion and better achievements. I am confident our target of 8 to 10% annual growth in the 80's is possible. I fully agree with the Government's policy of giving higher wages to the workers and to induce employers to mechanise, automate and computerise and to switch to less labour-intensive processes, but we have to see that employers should not take advantage of the workers through unfair retrenchment. The job security of the workers should be protected. Also, workers should be willing to undergo educational and training programmes to update their skill. Sir, I sincerely hope that the price of oil will stabilize as soon as possible. The frequent increases in the price of oil has caused great difficulties to several developing countries to improve their natural economy and industrial development. These developing countries still cannot overcome the problems of inflation, recession, unemployment, poverty, hunger and frustration.”
“They are going to increase the fares again.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Hon. Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government is prepared to engage a good number of those ex-drug addicts who have been cured and are released, to do work.”
“The Ministry of Education must also consult the leaders of the teachers' unions when changing or implementing important educational policies. To by-pass the trade union leaders, especially the teachers' unions' leaders, I think is most unfair. I hope this error will be corrected accordingly, in order to achieve success in the coming educational system. Sir, I support the Motion moved by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and I wish him all success in his efforts to perfect the educational system. Resolved, "That the debate be now adjourned." - [Mr E.W. Barker].”
“The only way to teach children moral values and good character is for the parents themselves and the teachers to set good examples for the children to follow. Sir, to be a teacher, one must have a love for children and to dedicate his or her service for their welfare. He or she must accept the responsibility to do his or her best in teaching the children to be loyal and good citizens of Singapore. The success or failure of a student depends to a great extent on the teaching techniques of a teacher. Sir, several hon. Members in this House have already expressed their views on the question of streaming especially the slow learners. Streaming them to the lowest grade classes will definitely cause frustration, humiliation and will demoralise their self-confidence in studying further. The parents may raise objection to this downgrading classification. If possible, let us avoid the streaming system to classify the slower learners. May I suggest the formation of a pool of experienced teachers to help the slow learners to improve their studies, especially on the subjects that they find difficult to understand. To do this, extra periods for the teaching of the slow learners are necessary. Perhaps if these extra periods of teaching are found successful, we may not proceed with the streaming system. I hope this proposal will be given some consideration. I would suggest that there should be consultation, communication and cooperation between the officials of the Ministry of Education and the school principals, as well as the school principals and the teachers in the various schools. By doing so, they can exchange views on various educational matters and to find a solution to solve the problems.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, everyone has a certain limit in his capacity of learning a language or any subject. If we force a child to learn two languages, i.e. English and Chinese, when he is capable of learning one language only, we are over-pressurising him in his studies. This may make him lose his self-confidence and he may dislike his studies. It is a matter of time before he becomes a school dropout. Sir, I support bilingualism but there must be flexibility in taking up two languages at the same time. It is most regrettable that - most parents have too high an expectation of their children's abilities. Students nowadays are quite loaded with their studies in schools in addition to their extra curricular activities. Some parents engage teachers to give extra tuition to the children so that they can score higher marks. They should realise that if the children are studying well, it is not necessary to overburden them with extra tuition. If the children are poor in their studies, then it is quite all right for them to do so. Parents must allow their children to have time to play and relax so that they can be healthy and strong. Otherwise we will find a number of them suffering from gastric ulcers. This happens in Japan. We hope it will not happen in Singapore. Parents must accept full responsibility for the development of their children's character. They must make them understand the importance of moral values in life. They cannot expect the teachers to teach moral education and character development to their children. The teachers can give a helping hand on this matter but the sole responsibility lies with the parents themselves.”
“Sir, I would just like to join my colleagues in this House in appealing to the Minister that he should not just express his sympathy verbally but that verbal sympathy should be translated into action, with results. I am faced with similar problems at my meet-the-people sessions. A taxi driver who had accumulated 12 demerit points was suspended from driving for two months. After making an appeal, he got one month's suspension. He has four children who are schooling. For one whole month he was deprived of any income at all. If a driver has been suspended from driving for one or two months, I do not think he can maintain his alertness. Should he go back to driving after an absence of one or two months, I think his driving will be worse. He will cause more accidents. I strongly appeal to the Minister to sympathise with such people and, if possible, waive the suspension. It is a negative way of punishment. It should be more an educational exercise.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we fully agree with the Minister of Defence that national servicemen must undergo military training. It is their duty and they must accept it. The Minister explained to us that there is no possibility of having exemption from full-time training. In view of this, I think all Members of this House fully appreciate that if a person is in financial difficulty, something must be done to help him. If a soldier has no money and his stomach is empty, I do not think he can fight or defend the country. May I therefore strongly urge the Minister of Defence that some kind of monetary help be given to those people concerned who are in financial difficulties. If that can be done, it will help a lot. Of course, he must find the money and the best way of getting the money is from the ,big businessmen who make big profit, because this money indirectly helps to protect their business. Therefore, he should ask these big businessmen to contribute some money for this purpose. 6.15 p.m. Mr Ho Kah Leong( In Mandarin): After listening to the exposition by the Minister of Defence, I think this House fully agrees with him. However, during the period of national service exceptional problems can arise for the serviceman, such as those mentioned by Members of Parliament. And I think we should give them special and sympathetic consideration. The Member for Tiong Bahru has suggested instituting the week-end training, say, for three weeks, as an alternative. I hope the Minister will consider this suggestion. The Minister also said that there are no part-time soldiers now. I think there is still the so-called People's Defence Force. Some MPs here are part-time officers of the Force. I do not know if the Minister of Defence will expand this group.”
“The only thing I know is that there is no cartel consisting of INTRACO and the other people so that prices are different, and it is up to INTRACO to fix whatever price that is dictated by its cost. On this particular economic question, I did not expect to see the Member for Whampoa suggesting that there should be rigid price controls. I think the economic circumstances in which Singapore has prospered have been cast quite the other way.”
“Sir, I support the views of the hon. Members for Boon Teck and Whampoa. I think Members of this House will agree with me that the Government is very efficient in the control of wages, but when it comes to dealing with increases in the price of drinks and other commodities without justification, the Trade Department has one eye big and one eye small. Let us be fair. Let us not be cock-eyed about the whole thing. The wage increase of the workers has been properly controlled and the increase in the prices of drinks and other commodities means that their wages are being eaten up by the businessman. I appeal to the Minister for Finance to exercise strict control over them. Let us be fair to both sides and not allow the capitalists to get away so easily. Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I am a bit surprised at the reaction of Members of this House. They ought to know that in Singapore where there are no price controls, there is not very much that can be done. There is, of course, a possibility of introducing legislation for price control, but I am sure not many people want it to be extended to all commodities. I think that remedy would be worse than the disease. Members will probably find that articles which are reasonably or slightly unreasonably priced would not be found at all if the controls are too rigid. I suggest that in the case of aerated waters and coffee, the simple remedy is to have consumer resistance. If CASE is not able to organise such resistance, perhaps the consumers themselves can decide on a very simple remedy - let them drink water. On the question raised by the Member for Whampoa, as to why INTRACO sells rice at a higher price than the wholesalers, I really cannot answer him.”
“However, ASEAN leaders have to guide the ASEAN people to do the right thing and be self-reliant because ASEAN cannot rely on any one power. Sir, the PAP Government is fully aware of the importance of a good political leadership, especially the need to train the younger leaders to take over when the older leaders gradually retire and give up their responsible positions and power to them. Sir, I fully agree with the opinion of the President that several younger Members in this House have shown that they have the capacity to meet the intense demands of leadership. From my observation in this House, I would like to add that they have the good qualities of leadership, such as integrity, dedication, commitment and willingness to shoulder responsibility. I am confident that in 10 years' time, under the training and guidance of the present senior leaders, the younger leaders will be able to assume full responsible leadership in the Government. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in this House in congratulating our President for being re-elected to serve another term of office. and I wish him many, many years of good health. 3.20 p.m.”
“At present, there are 160,000 people aged 60 years and above. Sir, I now refer to the Addendum on the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is heartening to learn that "extensions are planned to accommodate the aged destitute, the disabled and the helpless" in the newly opened home for destitutes at Chia Keng and that the able aged in the Woodstock Home will be encouraged to take up employment. I hope more homes will be built for these aged destitutes, the disabled and the helpless old people. They are the ones who are really in need of shelter and daily food. Also, the younger people should take care of their aged parents rather than sending them to the Homes for the Aged. Sir, I am quite confident that we can achieve the 6 to 8% economic growth for this year so long as there is industrial peace and tripartite co-operation. Sir, the Vietnam and Kampuchea fighting is still going on and I hope the United Nations Organisation will be able to help them resolve the conflict as soon as possible. ASEAN countries should maintain the non-alignment policy and not take sides with any big power in the Vietnam and Kampuchea conflict. All ASEAN leaders should meet to discuss the Vietnam and Kampuchea conflict and to find ways and means to stop it from spreading to ASEAN countries. Our Foreign Minister is now in Bangkok attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting. The United Nations Security Council has agreed to hold a public meeting on the situation in Kampuchea. Also ASEAN leaders have to prepare and plan on how to meet the situation if the Vietnam and Kampuchea fighting spreads to Thailand and other neighbouring countries. We should get the views of the leaders of America, Japan, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the European countries on this matter.”
“Also more money is required to build more hospitals to take care of them. Sir, I fully support the Ministry of Health's plan to hold a National Health Campaign in 1979, with great emphasis on health education, and this should involve students in the secondary schools as well. We cannot afford the present great waste of manpower and we have to stop the increase in the incidence of lung cancer, coronary heart diseases, hypertension and mental illness. There is no doubt that the causes of mental illness and heart diseases are due to the stresses of modern living. Perhaps making the people understand the various religions, and make them learn something about the various diseases and how to take precautionary measures against them, as well as taking physical exercises, will help them to be healthier and stronger. The TV and radio can also play an important part by publicising talks and advice given by our doctors, surgeons and religious leaders on how to achieve peace of mind and so be healthy and strong. Sir, with regard to the Addendum on the Ministry of the Environment, I agree that there are enough hawkers in Singapore. There are 27,544 licensed hawkers in 1978. I would request the Government to give sympathetic consideration to allocating a certain number of hawker stalls for people between the ages of 50 and 60 years old, who are healthy and strong, determined to earn a living as a hawker rather than depend on Social Welfare Public Assistance Allowance. Some of them even help to support their grandchildren. It is a most pitiful sight to see hawker inspectors taking their goods away because they have no licence, thus depriving them of an honest way of earning a livelihood. I sincerely hope something will be done for these old people.”
“The Ministry of Labour should expand its facilities in training workers who have been disabled in industrial accidents. Sir, it was mentioned in the Addendum that "the Employment Act will be reviewed in the light of its administration and the changed circumstances since its enactment." If the amendments are fair and reasonable, NTUC and its affiliates will accept them. If they are restrictive to the workers' welfare, we will strongly object. Sir, I would like to touch on the Addendum on the Ministry of Defence. I am happy to learn that "the build-up of the Singapore Armed Forces is practically complete and the task is to improve the quality of our personnel." I believe it is necessary to get the best quality personnel for the SAF. May I also suggest that this quality should include good character, high morale and humanism. SAF officers and NCOs should not be too harsh in enforcing disciplinary action to the extent of causing death as happened in two cases when the officers responsible were punished accordingly. I hope such shameful and unfortunate incidents will not happen again. Sir, according to the Ministry of Health Addendum, "diseases precipitated by personal habits and stresses of modern living are increasing", such as lung cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension and mental diseases. It is quite shocking to learn that hospital admissions for mental illness rose from 2,707 in 1973 to 4,229 in 1977, an increase of 56%. Psychiatric outpatient attendances increased from 28,138 to 62,214 over the same period, an increase of 121%. Sir, the increasing number of people suffering from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension and mental diseases causes great wastage of manpower and money to got them well again.”
“We will also work harder to achieve economic and industrial growth and to increase productivity. We will encourage our workers to go for further studies to increase their knowledge, gain more experience and develop higher skills. We also fully support tripartite cooperation for the sake of national peace, progress and prosperity. Employers on their pan must also realise that with any increase of productivity and profit, they must reward their workers with promotion, better wages and bigger bonus or annual wage supplement. Sir, I am glad that the Government is considering implementing the CPF insurance scheme "to provide better protection for members' families in the case of early death in employment and will also cover outstanding payments due on HDB/JTC flats of deceased members." I hope that at a later period the insurance scheme will be extended to cover children's tertiary education as well as payments due to private housing. Sir, with regard to "the possibility of using CPF savings for other justifiable purposes", may I suggest that in the event of prolonged unemployment due to sickness, such as cancer or leukaemia, a certain percentage of his CPF savings should be released on a monthly instalment basis so that the worker need not have to seek a loan. With regard to the change in the Workmen's Compensation Act "to provide fairer compensation for injured workers and dependents of deceased workers and to ensure the speedy payment of compensation through better administration and enforcement", NTUC and its workers will give full support. I hope there will be a substantial increase in compensation for the injured workers. The compensation they get will never be equal to the pain and suffering the injured workers have to endure.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in this House in thanking the President for his speech delivered at the opening of the Second Session of the Fourth Parliament on Tuesday, 26th December, 1978. Sir, the last General Election was held on 23rd December, 1976, and the PAP won all the seats in the 69 constituencies. This year there will be by-elections for seven constituencies and I hope the opposition parties will join the contest. According to the Press, they intend to do so. I would like to repeat what I said in Parliament on 15th February 1977 [Hansard Vol. 36, No. 4, col. 166.]. and I quote: ". . the so-called opposition parties will have no chance to win a seat in Parliament. They can come into Parliament provided they can do what the PAP Government has been doing or if they can do better than us. I believe it is not possible for them to do so and the people of Singapore have no confidence in them. So there will be no MP from the opposition parties again." Even in the coming by-elections, all the opposition parties will lose and PAP will win all the seats again because the people of Singapore have full confidence in the leadership of the PAP for its continued achievements in maintaining peace and prosperity. Sir, I would like to refer to the Ministry of Labour Addendum to the Presidential Address. The workers are quite aware that the world economic outlook remains uncertain, especially with the pressure for protectionism in several countries and the OPEC oil price increase of 14.5% spread over 1979. NTUC leaders and its affiliated union leaders would like to assure the Government that we will continue to support industrial peace and orderly wage increase.”
“Sir, I have a request to make to the Hon. Minister for Labour. I would ask him to give serious consideration to compel those who are going to get married to sign the CPF nominee form, failing which the marriage certificate would not be issued.”
“Sir, can we get an assurance from the Minister for Labour that bus fares will not be increased, at least for a period of three years, with the exception of an increase in the price of oil?”
“10, : 'While workers must put in their best efforts, employers have an equal responsibility to improve their management of personnel or of plant and machinery to increase productivity. Employers should consider the introduction of appropriate incentive schemes to reward efficient workers for their productivity. The initiative for formulating such schemes is clearly their responsibility as they have the greater resources and experience in this area.' Sir, representatives of the employers' group will present papers at the coming two-day National Conference of Productivity Committees as from 21 st April 1978, and if they have no incentive scheme to pay the workers for increased productivity, they are wasting the workers' time. Lip service will not help to increase productivity. Sir, the presidents of the two associations, i.e. the Singapore Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association and the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar Owners Association, had admitted publicly in the Straits Times report dated the 8th March, 1978, I quote: 'it is true that the price of coffee beans has gone down from over $900 to over $400 per 60.5 kg. a drop of 50%. But before the adjustment of the price of a cup of coffee, coffee beans cost only between $180 and $200 for 60.5 kg.' Sir, the fact remains unshakeable that the price of coffee beans has dropped 50% and therefore there is no excuse for them to refuse to reduce the price of a cup of coffee by five cents. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I join my colleagues in support of the Financial Policy presented to Parliament by the Hon. Minister for Finance in his 1 978 Budget Statement on 27th February, 1978. 6.49 p.m.”
“Sir, to prove what I have said, may I quote from the Straits Times report dated 10th March, 1978, under the heading "NPB ON DEARTH OF PRODUCTIVITY COMMITTEES". I quote: "So far 28 firms or 0.56 per cent of the 5000 in Singapore has set up productivity committees since the National Productivity Board started a campaign to form such committees about three years ago." Perhaps, Sir, in another three years, i.e. by 1980, another 28 firms will form Productivity Committees! In fact, some of the present established Productivity Com- mittees of the 28 firms are not active at all, or may I call them "Coffee Talk Committees" just to give an impression that there is such a Productivity Committee in Company XYZ! It would be interesting to know how many of the 28 Productivity Committees have achieved increased productivity and how many incentive payments have been made to the workers. However, let us see how much progress or success we can achieve from the coming two-day National Conference of Productivity Committees which will be held on 21st and 22nd April, 1978. I am sure there will be papers presented by various representatives for the participants to read, study and digest. After this Conference, I hope it will produce some good results and progress for the benefit of the employers and workers especially monetary reward to the workers for their sweat and toil to increase produc- tivity or else do not waste time or waste papers just for the sake of producing papers only. The workers want currency notes and not just printed papers. Sir, may I quote what the Minister for Finance said in Parliament from the Hansard, Volume 36, No.”
“Why is them no NWC Wage Increase Guideline for the Managerial and Executive staff? Why is there no guideline when the companies are making bigger profits and therefore the workers should also get bigger bonus or Annual Wage Supplement? How can the same NWC Wage Increase Guideline be applied to all industries or business enterprises when comparing the profits of petroleum industry, banks and insurance companies with the small factories or small firms?' Surely the oil companies, banks and insurance companies can give better bonus or Annual Wage Supplement. However, if the workers are not going to get any benefit in the 1978 NWC Wage Increase Guideline, they should not be made to contribute extra CPF contribution. Sir, when the NTUC gave full support to the need for increased productivity by the workers, the employers' group immediately echoed their consent. When the NTUC and its affiliates requested for the formation of a Productivity Committee to increase productivity, and to formulate incentive payment for the workers immediately you find a dead silence from them. In other words, their attitude is: 'You workers work harder; you increase productivity; we make bigger profit; Directors, Executive and Managerial Staff get bigger monetary reward. Shareholders get bigger dividend, but we pay you according to the NWC Annual Wage Increase. If you are not happy, you ask your NTUC and your Government!' Sir, it is very hard to believe that the employers are willing to give serious consideration to reward the workers for their toil and sweat for increasing productivity. They are only interested in making more profit. They are not interested in establishing Productivity Committees or pay incentive payment for increased productivity.”
“With the yearly increase of young people leaving school, college and the university looking for jobs, the Government, employers and workers must continue the present tripartite co-operation to create another 35,000 new jobs for them in 1978. I hope we can achieve this target if we have the will, guts and determination to strive for it. Also, we must see to it that our population growth is under control and to accept the fact that two children for a family is good enough whether two boys or two girls, especially for the middle and lower income wage earners. Too many children will be a burden to the worker and will make life miserable for him, his wife and children. Sir, the National Wages Council recommended that for the year 1.7.77 to 30.6.78, the national wage increase guideline be 6% with full offsetting of all forms of increases in remuneration on a group basis. It has been calculated on the basis of the increase in the total annual wage bill arising from not only annual increments but also all other forms of remuneration, i.e. merit and promotion increments and collective agreement on wage adjustments, and prorated bonus and annual wage supplements but excluding CPF contributions by employees, overtime payments and fringe benefits. Sir, thousands of workers did not get a single cent of benefit at all from the NWC Wage Increase Guideline for 1977, because of the full offsetting of all forms of increases in remuneration on a group basis. Added to this disappointment, they have to contribute from their pay packet another 1/2% for saving in the CPF which has been increased from 15% to 15 1/2%. These workers are very unhappy. They ask: 'How can we save 1/2% of our wages for the CPF when we are not benefiting from the NWC Wage Increase Guideline for 1977?”
“If the world economy collapses, there will be chaos and more unemploy- ment. The world is already over-populated. There are millions of workers being retrenched and they are waiting for new jobs. Several more millions of young people are also looking for jobs when they leave school, college or university. For these millions of unemployed people who are distressed, very frustrated and with empty stomachs, jobs should be created for them as soon as possible. I still believe the world economy will not collapse, especially if there is a kind of World Economic Aid Plan to be sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and other Middle East oil producing countries, together with the United States, West Germany and Japan. Through this World Economic Aid Plan, it will definitely boost industrial growth and expansion, eliminate protectionism and reduce unemployment. Sir, the Hon. Minister for Finance's 1978 Budget Statement stated that there is further progress in the ASEAN economic cooperation. There is also some progress in the ASEAN industrial projects. Since Japan has indicated giving financial assistance totalling US$l billion for these projects, I hope all the ASEAN leaders will expedite the launching of these projects which will give employment to the young people in ASEAN and strengthen the ASEAN economy as well. Sir, I am happy to hear from the Minister for Finance that unemployment fell from 4.5% to 3.9% while labour productivity improved as a result of continued upgrading of skills. The commerce and manufacturing sectors have created 33,500 new jobs.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating the Hon. Minister for Finance for presenting a reasonable and fair Budget to this House on 27th February, 1978, especially the reduction in the payment of personal income tax for the Year of Assessment 1978 and the various tax incentives to the corporate sector. Although the Hon. Minister for Finance has reduced rates on personal income tax, he has also increased a number of taxes on expenditure, such as, registration fee on private cars, entertainment duty, driving licence fees, telephone tax, colour TV licence fee and airport tax. Fortunately, he ended with one concession, i.e. the abolition of 5% tax on PUB bills for consumption levels between $35 and $50 a month with effect from 1st April, 1978. However, the Budget that he has presented to Parliament is acceptable to us, and I hope in the next Budget presentation, he will not further increase tax on expenditure! He should concentrate on the 150,000 tax dodgers. Sir, in spite of the difficult international economic conditions, Singapore's economy grew by 7.8% which is slightly higher than 7% for 1976. In addition to this achievement, 33,500 new jobs were found in the commerce and manufacturing sectors. All these achievements have been made possible because of the Government's wise policy of diversified economy and dynamic drive in promoting local and foreign investments. It is also due to the Management for its capable and intelligent handling of business and to the workers for their hard work and productivity. Sir, I fully agree with the Hon. Minister for Finance that unless the United States, West Germany and Japan adopt expansionary policies, the world economy will not improve in 1978.”
“Sir, I join my colleagues in supporting the Budget Statement presented by the Minister for Finance to this House. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] 5.57 p.m.”
“Sir, I fully support the proposal made by the hon. Member for Leng Kee that ASEAN should form a united front in dealing with United States, Japan and the EEC countries in matters relating to tariff and non-tariff barriers. I also agree with him that ASEAN should put pressure on Japan especially when she has been enjoying a huge surplus in trade with ASEAN. I hope the Japanese Government leaders and the Japanese business tycoons will stop their selfish, greedy and ugly exploitation of the economic situation in this region. It is a matter of time for the United States, Europe, ASEAN and other developing countries to imitate the Japanese style and strategy in business dealings and trade. If ASEAN decides to stop exporting rubber, tin, oil, timber and other raw materials to Japan, and to find other markets, it will not be easy for Japan to get similar supplies at such fair prices. In World War II, Japan was not successful in achieving military and territorial domination. However, at present Japan has been quite successful in economic exploitation and domination, which is as deadly dangerous as military and territorial domination, We have to watch the situation closely. However, I believe that the best way to deal with Japan, United States and Europe is for ASEAN to form an ASEAN Common Market like the EEC countries. The sooner we form it, the better for our ASEAN Economy. Sir, let us remember the proverb: "Heaven helps those that help themselves". We should accept the fact that the world does not owe us a living. We have to struggle, sweat, toil, work harder, do our best in whatever way we can, so that our people in ASEAN can live a healthy and happy life with a better standard of living through mutual self-reliance, self-discipline and self-help.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating the Hon. Minister for Finance for presenting a reasonable and fair Budget to this House on 28th February, 1977, especially as it does not introduce new taxes for the year 1977. Although there are two tax increases on tobacco and cigarettes and raising the import duty on intoxicating liquors, I am sure all smokers and drinkers can afford to pay a little more. The increasing number of restaurants, night-clubs and bars, clearly shows that their patrons have plenty of money to spend on their smoking and drinking pleasure. Sir, the tax concession in the exemption limit in estate duty which will be increased from $50,000 to $100,000 and the remission limit which will also be correspondingly raised from $230,000 to $280,000, will definitely encourage a greater home ownership because properties under $100,000 will pay no estate duty at all. Sir, Singapore benefitted from the world economic revival in 1 976 with a real growth of 7%. I am confident we can achieve the same growth rate for 1977 if we continue with our tripartite cooperation. Government will do its best to maintain political and economic stability, employers will expand their industries and workers will work harder to increase productivity. I fully agree with the Minister for Finance that we must continue to press on with our promotion efforts in the United States, Japan and Western Europe and to maintain a healthy investment climate on the home-front. Also, we have to explore new markets especially in West Asia. Sir, I hope the five major ASEAN industrial projects will be implemented as soon as possible. These five industrial projects will certainly boost up the economic and industrial growth in this region.”
“The Addenda spell out what the Government proposes to do in the fields of finance and economics, social and medical services, education and defence. I am sure we will be able to fulfil all the programmes and policies by 1981 or earlier which means that in the next General Elections in 1981, the so-called opposition parties will have no chance to win a seat in Parliament. They can come into Parliament provided they can do what the PAP Government has been doing or if they can do better than us. I believe it is not possible for them to do so and the people of Singapore have no confidence in them. So there will be no MP from the opposition parties again.”
“Sir, with regard to the Addendum on the Ministry of Social Affairs, I am glad that priority will be given to the welfare of the young, the aged and the strengthening of the family unit. I would like to urge the Government to be more generous and to allot more money in the next Budget to this Ministry although it is not a money-making one, like the PUB or the Income Tax Department. Most of the young people become delinquents as a result of the negligence of their parents who simply do not care for them, The rich father is interested in business and making more money whereby he has to entertain business friends in night clubs, cabarets or having the maximum enjoyment. The rich mother plays mahjong, gambles and goes shopping. The poor father and mother who earn small wages and who have no means of enjoying any kind of entertainment, however, would maintain their capacity in human production by bringing in a new baby every year. For such irresponsible parents, they bring more suffering and misery to themselves and to their children. Rich and poor parents, therefore, must spare some time to guide their children to be good and useful citizens, and also to practise family planning. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish I could have more time to speak on the other Addenda to the Presidential Address, but in fairness to my colleagues in this House, they should be given an opportunity to express their views and opinions. I would like to end here by saying that the people of Singapore are fully satisfied with the programmes and policies of the PAP Government which are set out in the Addenda to the Presidential. Address to Parliament on Tuesday, 8th February, 1977.”
“There is no doubt that the people of Singapore fully endorse the policy of the Singapore Government to carry on national service for our young people. To preserve our independence, we must be prepared to defend our own country by our own people. The lesson the people of Singapore should understand is that even America could not defend South Vietnam. If the people of Singapore are well trained to defend their own country and have the courage and will to fight to win, should there be any foreign aggression, we will definitely win. With the fall of South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to the communists, all ASEAN countries must strengthen their own defence and have full cooperation. I fully support the ASEAN philosophy to be friends to all countries in the world, including the communist countries and not to let any great power make use of ASEAN countries as a pawn and, if possible, to have no enemies at all. Sir, I fully agree with the views expressed in the Addendum on the Ministry of Communications on road transport. I travel by bus daily and I wish to record my appreciation and satisfaction of the Singapore Bus Service Ltd, for their improved service during the last two years. Of course, there is room for further improvement. May I suggest that more female bus drivers be trained and put into the service, I observe that the male bus drivers are more impatient than female drivers. Also, it is a fact that conductresses are doing just as good as the conductors. However, all the employees of the Singapore Bus Service are doing their best and my thanks and appreciation go to most of the bus workers.”
“The workers have agreed to subordinate individual interest to national interest and to ensure that Singapore will not go down. The present industrial peace with only a few strikes a year and the tripartite cooperation of labour, management and government will definitely help Singapore to solve various problems and to succeed in everything we do. Sir, with regard to the Addendum on the Ministry of Finance, I fully agree that we should make Singapore grow fast again, more manufacturing as well and no extravagance in public sector expenditure. However, it is necessary to spend more money in training the young workers to acquire higher skills for delicate, precision work. Also, I hope all the ASEAN countries will concentrate on rapid economic growth through mutual economic cooperation to implement all the agreed major industrial projects as soon as possible. These industrial projects for all the ASEAN countries will give more jobs to the people and better their standard of living and will bring political and economic stability in the ASEAN region which will convince the ASEAN people that the ASEAN democratic way of life is just as good as the communist countries or even better than theirs. We always believe and treasure the importance of freedom of speech; freedom to learn and use whatever language we like; freedom to enjoy the various cultural activities of several countries; freedom of worship; and the freedom to be a multi-millionaire if you have the capacity to do so. I can assure the people of Singapore that those who have been to various countries in Asia, Europe and America will say that life in Singapore is very good and just like a paradise. This is my personal opinion after visiting these countries. Sir, may I comment on the Addendum on the Ministry of Defence.”
“May I suggest that an amendment be made so that if the trading results of the employers are good and show substantial profit, the union has the right to invite the employers to pay for a higher quantum of the annual wage supplement. This should be done in fairness to the workers. The employers should not be given the privilege to enjoy two pieces of cake, while the workers have no choice of picking except to keep on sacrificing. I believe sacrifice for the national interest should be a two-way traffic between the employers and the workers, and not just on the workers all the time. Sir, I now refer to the Addendum on the Ministry of National Development. I am glad that it will plan and work towards better housing with improved social and recreational facilities, better infrastructure and public amenities in pleasant and gracious environment in the next five years. I am happy that under the fourth Five-Year Building Programme another 150,000 units will be completed by 1980. An additional 10,000 flats will be built in the Central Area to help reverse the population drift to the new towns. Also applicants will not have to wait longer than 1 to 1 1/2 years to buy or rent HDB flats. I am sure applicants of HDB flats will be happy to know that they have to wait for 1 to 1 1/2 years instead of two to three years as at present. Sir, the Addendum on the Prime Minister's Office truly stated that the people of Singapore have the will to succeed and they support the Government in a national effort to solve the apparently unsolvable. In the last General Elections in Singapore on 23rd December, 1976, the workers of Singapore fully supported the PAP Government.”
“Perhaps, Sir, instead of always looking to the direction of the workers who are in the middle and lower income brackets, the Government should also request the higher income bracket of workers who are in the Managerial, and Executive levels to make some sacrifice and follow the good examples of the workers who earn much less. Sir, I think it is necessary that an amendment be made to the Employment (Amendment) Act, 1975, in respect of the payment of the annual wage supplement. The employers are paying the annual wage supplement allowable by law, but they have to apply to the Minister for Finance to pay an amount in excess of that allowed by law to make up the total amount of annual wage supplement. In other words, if the employers refuse to apply to the Minister for Finance to approve the payment of the annual wage supplement in excess of what is allowed by the law, although they have negotiated with the unions on the new quantum of the annual wage supplement, the Labour Ministry will be powerless to compel them to do so. Sir, in order to prevent some employers from abusing the law, and some have already done so, may I suggest that the payment of the annual wage supplement should be based on the quantum agreed between the employers and the unions during the year 1976, subject to a maximum amount equivalent to three months' wages of the employees. This will also save the trouble and inconvenience to the Minister for Finance to approve so many cases of this nature. Also in the event an employer finds that the trading results are lacking in a significant degree, he may invite the union to negotiate for a lower quantum of the annual wage supplement to be paid to the employees.”
“Devan Nair, the Secretary-General of NTUC, and through his wise guidance, the workers fully appreciate the importance of national interest rather than individual or sectional interest. Most of the negotiations for new collective agreements have been negotiated with the spirit of "give-and-take" with mutual understanding and co-operation. Industrial relations between employers and labour have been good. The number of strikes in Singapore for several years has been a few only. The workers in Singapore have gone through many sacrifices, such as wage restraint, reduction of fringe benefits, limitation of bonus payment or Annual Wage Supplement, etc. However, whenever employers manage to expand their business and increase production with better profits, they should not forget to give better bonus or reasonable incentive payment to the workers. Sir, on December 30th, Mr Ong Pang Boon, the Minister for Labour, said that the next session of the National Wages Council would probably have to consider and deliberate that offsetting, now confined to salary increases, should cover all forms of remuneration. Sir, the workers are quite concerned with the NWC's intention to offset to cover all forms of remuneration. In other words, the workers have to make a sacrifice again. Workers are asking themselves: how many times more have they got to sacrifice. There has to be a limit in asking the workers to sacrifice. In fact, the wages they get are just enough to feed their families. Married workers who earn less than $400 a month find difficulty in making both ends meet, and there is hardly anything left for them to save. I hope the NWC will take note of this important point when they come to the final decision on offsetting which may include all forms of remuneration.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in this House to thank the President for his speech delivered at the opening of the First Session of the Tuesday, 8th February, 1977 Sir, the People's Action Party again won all the 69 seats in the recent General Elections held on 23rd December. 1976. This clearly shows that the people of Singapore will only vote for the party that cares for them and has the capability to solve all political, economic, industrial and employment problems. They know that the PAP's leadership is honest, dedicated, efficient, incorruptible, and has the experience and capacity to maintain political and economic stability. The PAP will ensure industrial peace with justice. It will do its best to attract foreign investors to build new factories and further expansion of their industries. It will create more jobs for the young people and to better the standard of living. So long as there is co-operation and understanding between Government, Labour and Management, we can achieve success and solve many problems. Sir, may I touch on the Addendum to the Presidential Address on the Ministry of Labour. The NTUC, the Union leaders and the workers fully agree that future wage increases have to be orderly and related to higher productivity and economic growth. Also fringe benefits which are bizarre or not conducive to economic progress will have to be discontinued. Sir, since 1968 the workers of Singapore have been very reasonable in their wage demand and they only improve some of the fringe benefits whenever necessary. The workers in Singapore have been under the good leadership of Mr. CV.”