Sha'ari bin Tadin
Singapore
“To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what was the rationale for closing up the opening in the divider, instead of installing traffic signals, at the New Upper Changi Road/Bedok South Avenue 1 junction, and is the Minister aware that the closure has resulted in (i) curtailment of bus services 31 and 401; and (ii) congestion of…”
“To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether there are plans to construct an overhead bridge at New Upper Changi Road near the Bedok Sports Complex, when the work will commence and when it is expected to be completed; and (b) whether his Ministry will look into the possibility of installing a signalised pedestrian crossing acr…”
“Sir, thank you for allowing me to speak. First of all, I would like to support the views expressed by the Member for Kim Song. Earlier we were talking a lot about the problems of the aged, and I am afraid I have to bring this up again. The Singapore Sports Council, Sir, has been successfully pursuing the Sports for All policy since 1973.”
“I feel that it is the responsibility of everyone involved in sports to continuously educate people on crowd behaviour and to stifle excesses. We must always acknowledge and cheer good play on both sides whether it comes from the victor or the vanquished. Crowd outbursts can contribute a major danger to sport.”
“Sometimes they have to carry cash and they are afraid that they might be confronted by robbers. I do not know whether the Minister would be able to enlighten us on this policy of building special car parks for lorries and buses only, and whether there is any possibility of complying with the special request of these lorry drivers.”
“According to my way of thinking, it is time the SBC began planning with the objective of becoming more than just a vehicle presenting syndicated programmes from abroad, collecting revenue from advertisements, thus trying to survive at a level little better than an ordinary broadcasting medium.”
The complete record
Every one of 226 lines we hold for Sha'ari bin Tadin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 5.
“In this connection, the Department has had consultation with the Economic Research Centre of the University of Singapore. Radio and T.V. Singapore has always been keen to have an audience survey since, as the Member for Katong has suggested, the selection of programmes for broadcast could be broadly based on audience preferences. Pending approval for the establishment of the Unit, the Department is exploring ways and means of getting information, no matter how limited, on the reaction of its viewers/listeners. The Community Centre Survey presently being undertaken by the State and City Planning Organisation and the People's Association, for example, includes a few questions on Radio and T.V. JURONG TOWN (Steps to improve industrial refuse collection) 8. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to the irregular collection of industrial waste in Jurong Town by his Ministry, the factories tend to burn their waste which, besides possibly giving rise to fire hazards, increases air pollution in the area; and if he will take steps to improve the efficiency of industrial refuse collection in the Town.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the public records of the National Archives and Records Centre include archives dating from 1800, some 20 years before the official founding of Singapore in 1819. The archives include not only Government publications and correspondence, but also maps, building plans, photographs and other types of public records. Many items in the archives may be considered unique and therefore priceless in that they are original documents of irreplaceable value. No estimate can be made of the monetary worth of such items, as in modern times, copies of these are generally made available through the medium of microfilm or other photocopying devices. All archives are kept in air-conditioned stacks, the oldest and most important of these being in 24-hour air-conditioned storage. Such air- conditioning ensures that there is no deterioration in the condition of these records. One of the National Archives staff has also been sent to the National Archives and Records Centre of Malaysia for training in the binding and restoration of fragile archives. Training of additional staff will also be provided as necessary. TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES (Data of audience preferences) 7. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Culture what efforts are made by the Broadcasting Division to obtain data of audience preferences in respect of television and radio programmes so that selection of programmes for broadcast may he made on a more scientific basis. Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is considering a proposal by the Broadcasting Division to set up an Audience Research Unit within the Department to service its requirements for a regular survey of audience preferences.”
“Sir, there were four officers. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS CENTRE (Preservation of public records) 6. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Culture (a) whether the public records which are preserved at the National Archives and Records Centre include items of any special monetary value; and (b) what safeguards are taken to ensure that there is no deterioration of the condition of those records.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the 150th anniversary will be celebrated on a nation-wide basis and will be spread over next year, though officially sponsored events will be concentrated: during the period June to September 1969. It is expected that cultural and other organisations will organise their own activities in different parts of Singapore and all forms of celebrations, including those held indi vidually or collectively by constituencies, will be encouraged. ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO 31ST MARCH, 1970 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [3rd Allotted Day]. Resumption of debate on Question (16th December, 1968), "That the sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1153."-[Mr L. P. Rodrigo] [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.55 p.m. Head 0701 -”
“The programmes will be a national effort spread over a period of time with a wide cross-section of institutions and individuals in the public and private sectors involved. The whole object of the celebration will be to evoke emotional and permanent responses of patriotism in the people. The emphasis will be on youth drawing inspiration from the past in the development of this vibrant society and dedicating themselves to the future with confidence and resolve.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the short answer to the Member for Sembawang is "Yes". A very successful series of debates have been organised for students from the secondary and college levels in the Chinese language stream. These debates have also been edited and will be published in booklet form very soon. Plans have been finalised to organise and telecast similar debates in the English language stream in the first quarter of 1969. It is anticipated that response from the English language stream, both in quality and quantity, will be as good as that from the Chinese language stream. Active consideration is now being given by TV Singapura to organise similar debates in the Malay and Tamil language streams and, subject to factors such as availability of talent, broadcasting resources, etc., it is hoped that similar debates in Malay and Tamil can be organised and telecast after the debates in English. SINGAPORE (Plans for commemoration of 150th anniversary) 14. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Culture (a) whether exhaustive plans are being worked out to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Singapore next year; and (b) whether such plans will be coordinated with the industrial and commercial sectors so as to achieve the maximum world-wide publicity of the event. Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is "Yes". Plans have been worked out to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Singapore next year. The answer to the second question is also "Yes". Such plans will be coordinated with the industrial and commercial sectors and, when finalised, will be locally and internationally publicised.”
“Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware that unpleasant odour from the sewerage disposal works at Kim Chuan Road is affecting the atmosphere around the Singapore International Airport, and whether and what steps will be taken to eliminate or minimise the odour so as not to give a bad impression of Singapore to new arrivals.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it must be admitted that there are a number of local magazines, as well as certain foreign newspapers, which indulge in the printing of obscene articles with the aim of sexually arousing their readers. They belong to a class of irresponsible publishers and book-sellers who do have neither a sense of responsibility nor a high standard of moral conduct. I agree with the Member for Geylang Serai that such obscene articles are, in fact, detrimental to the minds and morals of our youth. Equally, they undermine the Government's efforts in building a vigorous and robust society. With regard to the allegation that the Mingguan Malaysia has continued to publish such articles, I wish to assure the House that the Mingguan Malaysia has already been warned on two occasions to cease printing obscene pictures. I also wish to assure the House that the Ministry of Culture has given ample warning to those responsible for the publication of those newspapers and magazines to desist from publishing and circulating such unhealthy literature in Singapore. Mr Speaker, Sir, our Government believes in persuasion. However, when this method fails to have the desired effect, may I assure the Member for Geylang Serai that severe action will he taken against unscrupulous publishers and book-sellers. Stringent measures must be taken to prevent the few irresponsible persons from exploiting the young people who form a large section of our population. SEWERAGE DISPOSAL WORKS AT KIM CHUAN ROAD (Elimination of odour) 11.”
“This sudden flood of responsibilities thrust upon us includes that of looking for sources of revenue in order to pay for the high defence expenditure. By the end of 1971 Singapore will have its squadron of subsonic Hunter Mark Nines, flown by our own pilots, now beginning their initial training. Singapore cannot afford to carry passengers and we want our people to carry and share this burden equally together through these difficult years. Singapore, being important not only as a sea and air route because of its geographic position but also as the nerve centre of Southeast Asia, must and will exploit all the resources that she has in the form of human expertise and skills. By introducing this Bill, we hope to be able to produce two or three times the goods and services we have been producing now, and in return for the meaningful sacrifice made by the workers, the Government expects to provide better facilities for all. We cannot afford to allow our workers to go on strike to ask for increased wages especially at this juncture, as has happened in some countries overseas. The United Kingdom Government has lost millions of dollars as a result of industrial action during the last four months. Mr Speaker, Sir, the people of Singapore trust in the leadership of our Government. We must now make realistic approaches to ensure the economic survival of Singapore. The introduction of this Bill is one way of fearlessly facing up to the problems ahead. Let us hope for the best but prepare for the worst. 5.20 p.m.”
“Already, true unemployment is reckoned to total anywhere between 52,000 and 100,000. To this will be added another estimated 100,000 people who, it is calculated, will lose their jobs as a result of the withdrawal. This round figure of 100,000 is made up of 47,000 workers in the British bases, including enlisted personnel and domestic servants, who will forfeit their jobs directly, plus another 53,000 people who will be directly affected by the withdrawal of service expenditure here. The service presence directly or indirectly generates one-fifth of Singapore's Gross National Product of around S$3,200 million a year. The Forces' direct spending alone accounts more than S$400 million a year. In addition, 25,000 school-leavers enter the employment market every year. The process may be likened to pulling off the main root of a plant for transplanting which will undoubtedly damage some of the roothairs. The Government's task is to ensure as little damage as possible when this main root is removed. That is why these radical changes are necessary, however painful they may be. The present leadership has never faced a greater and more crucial test in its fight for economic survival after the announcements by the British Government last year that it intended to withdraw all its military commitments east of Suez. During this short period discussions between top Singapore Government officers led by the Prime Minister and British personnel have taken place and these talks have not only been fruitful but have also helped to pave the way for Singapore's accelerated role as an industrial nation. This kind of situation calls for prompt and effective action. There is no time for us to brood, but to get down to work since our future is at stake.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since this Bill was first introduced in Parliament, it has generated, understandably, a great deal of public interest and comment, some favourable, some controversial, some adverse. All this has helped us reflect further on the requirement in the best interest of our country and people in time to come. It is, however, heartening to see that there has been a general appreciation, if not acceptance, of the motivation and need for this legislation from all sectors, including labour, management and the press. Criticisms, most of them constructive, have been on aspects of detail, on provisions for hospitalisation, payments of bonus, overtime and fringe benefits and the like. It is further reassuring to see that the Minister for Labour has an open mind for argument and persuasion and will consider seriously necessary amendments arising out of a rational review within and outside this Parliament. May I make my observations now on the necessity for and urgency of this legislation? There were interconnected factors behind this Bill - higher Gross National Product and the creation of more jobs. It is not the intention of the Government to inflict pain on the workers by introducing this Bill. With its introduction, a more favourable climate for established enterprises to expand and to attract more foreign investments into the Republic will be created. This is an inevitable measure to prevent our country from going down as the result of the impending British withdrawal. We can just imagine the plight of thousands of our workers thrown out of work when the British leave Singapore by the end of 1971. Not only will the employees of the bases be affected, but also those who provide ancillary services like domestic servants, etc.”
“That is why the Government is doing all it can to have the reorganisation of secondary schools and re-siting of the Universities to avoid duplication of work, so that maximum advantage can be derived from such changes which will in turn benefit Singapore. They must not think in terms of sectional interests, for this kind of thinking is not healthy in the context of multi-racial Singapore. They must not be introspective in their thinking, for this will only make them slide further back into the past. They must be as forward-looking as the others and they should be proud of their mini-Singapore which may be small in size but not in spirit or wealth. It is the spirit of oneness and sense of togetherness that the leaders must inculcate in the Malay community. They must also instil in them a sense of pride and unity. Let us all work together to achieve the common national goal of creating a multi-racial Singapore. 6.37 p.m.”
“Undoubtedly, Sir, this has contributed to the image of a democratically elected government as an effective servant which, in the process, can maintain high standards of conduct, and has dismissed the attractiveness of more totalitarian approaches to discipline as the sine qua non of progress. It has meant that political opponents must be policy oriented. The next five years will, in all probability, determine if Singapore will continue to have an Opposition or will move towards a modified one-party system. The Malay community must remain part of the growth and development of every aspect of the social, political and economic life of Singapore. They must develop self-reliance so that one day they too can stand on their own feet and compete with the others. They must identify themselves with the symbol of progress as Singapore Malays. They must not say that religion hinders progress since Islam teaches us to be diligent, to work hard, to strive, for nothing is free. All the opportunities for improvement are before them and it is up to them to take full advantage. They must not have the false idea adopted by some of the so-called "leaders" that the Government wishes to do away with the Malay language just because the two secondary schools are going to be integrated. Even a Member of the Malaysian Parliament, Inche Khir Johari, Minister for Education, in many of his speeches recently, has indicated that he favours integration and the use of English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics in Malay-medium schools. Let us be realists. It is no use trying to hide something bad and later on it is found that it is too late to do anything. The earlier we have the change in our school system, the better it will be for the generations that are to come.”
“We want our Malay community to have every opportunity to train and equip themselves to face the challenge for an industrialised Singapore. These efforts will succeed only if the Malays have the right spirit to face the challenge to work, study and train themselves in order to face the world in the future. They should not worry over trifling matters which will bring no benefits. The Government is giving every assistance to all the Malays in the Republic as provided for in the Constitution -especially in the field of education -and they must make full use of the facilities and opportunities that are available to them to improve themselves. The Prime Minister has said, "We are living in a society which from day to day assumes a more urban and industrialised character." In the next few years with the rapid development in urban renewal, construction of the flyovers and other building complexes, Singapore will be transformed into one of the most dynamic cities in this part of the world and will be able to maintain a high standard of living for its people. It has already become a Utopia - a land of plenty. By Asian standards, Singapore is prosperous, but this affluence does not mean that any part of the society can afford to be inefficient or adopt lackadaisical attitudes. Sir, the lack of corruption in this Republic has made Singapore one of the few countries which have a clean government. Our people have not only come to expect efficient and intelligent officials, they have also come to understand that a democratically elected government can and will eliminate corrupt practices.”
“We can prove to the world that the one-party Parliament in Singapore provides an absorbing study for those who are interested in doing research into the political upheaval in Singapore which, as has been said, is unique and unprecedented in world history. I observe that not many people take an interest in parliamentary proceedings. This, I again attribute to the attitude of our people who take things for granted. However, I am sure, that Members on the opposite Benches will take heed of what the President said, that they should speak their minds freely and forcefully and provide the lead in their thinking and feeling in the country. Finally, the overwhelming support given by the people in returning all the 58 seats to the P.A.P. clearly shows that we have the support of the masses. The present leadership, with the addition of new Members, will work hard to uphold parliamentary democracy in Singapore and, at the same time, give the people security, peace and prosperity. I would like to make an appeal to the leaders of all the communities in the Republic to sink their differences and work together to make multi-racial Singapore a success. I am sure whatever complaints the people have can always be voiced through their Members of Parliament in the various constituencies and they, in turn, can voice them in Parliament. The Malays, in particular, also have a contribution to make towards the success of our multi-racial society and of democratic socialism in Singapore. They must not feel that they are isolated or are being excluded. They must change their attitude and reorientate their thinking to suit the changes that are taking place around them. They must not live in the world of fantasy.”
“There are countries in Afro-Asia where the temptation is to establish single-party constitution tendencies. Some countries have evolved political parties whose major purpose appears to be to moderate communal, ethnic and other conflicts, without insisting on a full monopoly of power. Certain parties, such as the Alliance of Malaysia, the Congress Party in India, and the Party of Revolutionary Institution in Mexico, consciously subscribe to the integrated system of politics. These political Parties contain a number of diverse and often competing groups. [Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng temporarily in the Chair] 6.23 p.m. In the Prime Minister's Speech, he expressed the hope that one day the Opposition would and must inevitably return. Before that day comes, we, the P.A.P., within ourselves in this House are already creating this "Opposition" group in the form of the Backbenchers. Although this form of Opposition, as the Prime Minister observed, is not the same real Opposition that he and his colleagues experienced in the fifties and sixties, nevertheless the new Back-benchers who represent a wide cross-section of our society will undoubtedly be able to keep the parliamentary machine going. We must let the whole world know that the one-party system that we have today in Singapore is merely an electoral accident and not because democracy is dead, as some have said. During the last general elections the Opposition parties could not win a single seat. The sweeping victory by the P.A.P, in the seven contested seats was clear testimony of the faith and confidence the people have in the present Government.”
“programmes, ideas could be infused into the dramas,, forums, guest-of-the-week programmes, and so on. It is only through constant and regular programmes of this nature that people will gradually accept new ideas. Such programmes should be aimed at equipping the people to meet the new challenges ahead. Mr Speaker, Sir, may I now dwell on the objectives set out in the President's Speech not yet touched on by my colleagues both on the Front benches and Back benches. I would like to quote what the President said: 'We must all learn to place national interest above personal or sectional interest.' It seems to me, Sir, that this third objective has a special relevance to the question of changing the attitudes of the people. Unless we effectively reorientate the thinking of our people to the problems that lie ahead, we can achieve very little by way of implementing the other two objectives. In the closing paragraphs of his speech, the President said that he would expect hon. Members to speak in forthright terms to lend more importance to lead thinking and feeling in the country, and to ensure that everyone understands the challenge and gives of his best. The Prime Minister in his speech on the opening of Parliament, in congratulating you on your re-election to the Chair, said: '...under your guidance, this House will keep the parliamentary machine in good shape, and also sustain and cultivate the attitudes of tolerance and calculated deference to opposing views.' For the last two days, I have heard criticisms levelled against Government policies by Backbenchers, who in fact are playing the role of the Opposition. The position of our one-party Parliament in Singapore by consent is rather unique.”
“We must try to reach people from all walks of life, if possible at the grass-root level. Our goal is to create a democratic, modern and multi-racial Singapore, and it is essential that every community in the Republic, be it Malay; Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, etc., should have the right attitude towards the problems in the crucial years ahead brought about by the accelerated British withdrawal from Singapore. The problems, as they are now, may be small but in the 1970s they may rise to such a magnitude that we will have to face very rough times. As I said earlier just now, we can attack these problems by a two-pronged approach - via Radio and T.V, and other mass media of communication' and through personal reinforcement. Singapore being small in size, is advantageous for the practice of mass media of communication to the masses. Thus, it is important that we should make our people problem-orientated and problem-conscious. When their thinking is geared to this, then they will be able to adapt themselves to the situation when the time comes. Sir, we are moving towards a technological society and in such a society we want our people to be not only scientific-minded but also analytical and critical in their outlook. This can only come about if they participate in group discussions on the problems facing Singapore. Thus, it is very important that our Radio and T.V. and other mass media of communication like newspapers and magazines be injected with ideas that will stimulate the thinking and instil in the people a sense of patriotism and public spiritedness and the importance of increased productivity. Small dosages of medicine, if taken every day, will have beneficial curative effects. Similarly, through the media of Radio and T.V.”
“The dissemination of any new idea or practice in such a society depends not only on the publicity it is given through the mass media, but also through conversations and discussions on topics by the people face to face. That is why the setting up of Citizens' Consultative Committees in all the constituencies has bridged the gap between the Government and the people. In this way, the Government encourages participation by an identification with the citizenry. All hon. Members appreciate the services of these people in the Citizens' Consultative Committees. We know full well, Sir, that mass media alone can have profound effects on what people pay attention to, the information they have, their taste, and their impressions of the world. On the other hand, the mass media by themselves are less effective in changing attitudes or efforts towards action. I have noted several hon. Members making references to the need to change the attitude and thinking of the people if we hope to survive the difficult years ahead of us. The subject of changing and influencing attitudes, as everyone knows, is rather complex. The trouble is that most people have rather weak or ill-defined attitudes. I believe that something can be done to change the attitude of our people through the use of our Radio and T.V. in their programmes. But Radio and T.V. alone cannot achieve this target in the absence of personal reinforcement. Mr Speaker, Sir, if I can remember, the Member for Katong has said that besides Radio and T.V., adult education agencies can also be brought into play to change the people's attitude. To get people to act in ways that conform to new values requires that mass media of communication be reinforced by the personal touch.”
“In fact, we are already a donor country under the Colombo Plan by offering scholarships and training courses in the field of telecommunications, etc. Thus, by the use of human resources and with proper leadership, we have not only achieved for ourselves a high standard of living but we are also able to help others who require our services. In fact, we have already sent a team of housing experts to Christmas Island at the invitation of the Australian Government to give the benefit of our experience in low-cost housing to the people there. Endeavours like this, Sir, help to project Singapore's image abroad. I think it is very important that we inculcate the spirit of national pride in our children and our people. They must be made to realise that if they want to see this state of affairs continue, they must play their part. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me now elaborate on the role of T.V, and Radio in creating a multi-racial outlook. All over the world, it has been statistically discovered that individuals and villagers who have access to the printed word or the radio medium have more modern attitudes, are much more progressive, and are in a position to play more positive roles than those who are denied access to these mass communication media. This shows how important the mass media are in changing the people's attitudes. Even in the communication system of highly developed societies, there is a complex interaction between the modern mass media system and the traditional mode of interpersonal by-word-of-mouth communication. A modern society is not an amorphous depersonalised mass society free from primary groups. It is an elaborated system of families, clubs, ethnic groups, classes, political organisations and friendship groupings.”
“Peoples from different walks of life, such as civil servants, businessmen, the squatter farmers who have been resettled, etc., are brought together as one community. There can be no faster way of changing the attitude and mentality of the people and, at the same time, modernising their way of life. At the moment, nearly a quarter of a million of the population are living in Housing Board flats in Queenstown and other areas, and very soon the new Toa Payoh satellite town will be ready for use. More and more people will have the opportunity of living in these flats. I think we can achieve our national integration by making the people live in this urbanised society of flats. It is through constant personal contact and inter-action that they have come to live as a people and in this respect I must give the Housing and Development Board a pat on the back for putting Singapore's reputation high on the list of countries that have solved their national housing problems. Praiseworthy comments have been made by experts from all over the world on our housing achievements and I can confidently say, Sir, that this feeling of pride should be implanted in the minds of our people, that although Singapore may be small in terms of space, it has evolved many good ideas and set examples to the rest of the world on how we tackle the many problems facing this country by careful planning, thinking and intelligent action. We are prepared to share our expertise and know-how with any country which cares to seek our advice. We hope in the near future to export not only commodities which now are getting well known, but most probably also our human made-in-Singapore expertise to help other countries in their development programmes.”
“I have said earlier that the Army is one important nationalising agent putting our young men through strenuous training in which differences of ethnic background, religion, and so on are minimised and where men are infused with a patriotic zeal for the nation. In this respect, those responsible for the training of our national servicemen and the Army should be given full commendation for the wonderful job they are doing in turning out rugged young men equipped not only with military skills for armed combat but, more important still, imbued with the spirit of patriotism and public spiritedness, self-discipline and a high standard of integrity. It will be wonderful to watch in the not too distant future, disciplined young men taking over the leadership not only in the Army but also in all spheres of activity and organisation. One day we can be assured that all the efforts put in by both the Government and us will bring heavy dividends. The other approach is through our school system through the integrated educational policy which has indeed not only been instilling a growing sense of national identity into our children but also inculcating in them the spirit of the true Singaporean. The suggestion put forward by the hon. Member for Joo Chiat last Friday that all communal schools should be abolished should be given serious thought if we are really to achieve our objective. The Government has recently announced that the integrated policy has now been extended to missionary schools, and the schools which are untouched are those which are completely privately financed and over which the Government has no say. The third and most effective approach, I think, is by accommodating peoples of various races, status and background under the same roof, so to speak.”
“National integration will lead to a drawing together of these diverse elements into something more cohesive, with the parts linked more closely together. The trend to be foreseen is aptly described by the phrase "from many small societies to one large society." All this while, Sir, our leaders and hon. Members have been making speeches urging the people to live as a united people and stressing the importance of unity amongst people of various races and religions, which make up our polyglot society. We can see the difference in attire worn by girls of various races - the Malays in their sarong kebayas, the Chinese in their tantalising cheongsams and the Indians in their beautiful saris. With the latest craze for mini-skirts, our youths seem to be falling for this type of dress. However, what I am trying to suggest is that these visual contrasts between Malays, Chinese, Indians and others are only superficial differences that make up our mosaic society, made up of countless pieces, each neatly defined and separated from all the others. Everyone in this House is familiar with language conflicts in other countries. India has over 200 languages. Even Nepal, with only 10 million people, has six substantial language groups. In Ghana, with only 7.5 million people, there are more than five major languages. Yet we in Singapore have well adapted ourselves to speaking the four official languages besides using the National Language and our respective mother tongue. Fellow-feeling is difficult to develop when language differences isolate one another. But this is not the case in Singapore where everyone, whether he is Chinese or Indian, is able to make himself understood through the use of bazaar Malay, which is the lingua franca in this part of the world.”
“There are several approaches to this problem and whatever the techniques that we have used in the past, we should not deviate from our bearings and objectives. We know, too, that this process of creating a multi-racial Singapore and the sense of being Singaporeans will take at least a generation before we can really see the fruits of our labour. But believe me, Sir, our integrated system both in the schools and in the Army has attracted both attention and criticism from experts all over the world. I know we have to be patient in any experiment that we have undertaken and should not expect to see the results overnight. Sir, we should give credit to those who have been responsible for the planning, for they have done a marvellous job. Singapore has been described as the melting-pot of three great cultures -namely, Chinese, Indian and Malay -and it has attracted a lot of tourists whose desire is to see the exotic Eastern cultures in their various manifestations. Our Government's cultural policy is to create a blend of the three but with a typically Singaporean flavour, with some European pepper here and there to make it feel hot. Thus, in the process of national integration, we have to integrate our cultures so as to be able to evolve our own identity and character. Coming back to the subject of national integration, our motto should be - Unity through Diversity. The people of Singapore, who come from various ethnic groups, find their real loyalty and sense of oneness not within the nation as yet, for Singapore is still in the process of creating a nation, but within their special small ethnic, language or religious groups.”
“I have not the slightest doubt, in the light of the ability shown by our leadership in the past, that we shall be able to surmount every difficulty, provided every one of us - those in the Government and the people adopt the right attitude. It is to adopt this correct attitude in facing the problems ahead of us that T.V, and Radio must play its due role. Every community in this island-Republic of ours, whether it be Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, European or other communities, must be made to realise that it is part of a multi-racial Singapore and that it has a role to play in contributing towards the success of Singapore. We cannot allow any community to lag behind in this rat-race for survival, otherwise it will have to face problems which are bound to create a lot of social unrest in the years ahead. Thus, it is very vital that no community should feel that it is being discriminated against, for it is the Government's policy to accord equal treatment to everybody. Mr Speaker, Sir, this right attitude and thinking is vital in order to achieve our national goal - that of creating a multi-racial Singapore. I shall now dwell on the subject of national integration which I think can well be instrumental in achieving the third objective as set out in the President's Speech. I feel the people must be made to feel as one people before we can proceed. Without this solidarity through consolidation of effort and the pooling of resources, it would be impossible to achieve the other two objectives, namely, greater economic growth and higher productivity and adequate defence capability. Sir, what do we mean when we speak of national integration? One definition is the bringing together of the disparate parts of society into a more cohesive whole.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have heard divergent views and criticisms by hon. Members of the House for the last two days in their replies to the President's Speech at the Opening of the Parliament. Some who delivered their speeches were making their debut in Parliament. In this respect, Sir, I am one of those who are making their maiden speeches. I am not in a position to reply to some of the references made by one or two of our hon. Members to my Ministry, as I have been appointed to my present office only a few days ago. I therefore do not intend to reply but shall leave it to my colleague, the hon. Member for Stamford, and to my Minister, who has already dealt with certain of the matters. What I propose to speak on in the next 30 or 35 minutes is a subject on which none has touched before, although reference has been made here and there. I am referring to the third objective outlined in the President's Speech, i.e., "enhancement of national consciousness of the problems that will come upon us in the next few years." I consider this objective as important as the other two in creating a modern, democratic, multi-racial Singapore which is our national goal. As we are all aware, in the Addendum to the President's Speech, when outlining the policies of the various Ministries as a whole, he said, in his reference to the Ministry of Culture, that T.V. and Radio would be elevated into a separate division with a separate Permanent Secretary. This step is taken in view of the greater and more effective role our T.V, and Radio has to play "to inform, entertain and educate". It will also stimulate loyalty and patriotism and the importance of increased productivity in order that the Republic will be able to pull through these difficult years.”