Sia Kah Hui
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. Is the Minister not aware that times have changed and continue to change? There are already so many complaints from flat buyers against the sub-contractors. I have here just two samples, one from the Singapore Monitor and the other from the Straits Times.”
“To ask the Minister for National Development if he will justify the increase by the Housing and Development Board from $3 p.m. rent to $785 p.m.”
“Not a copy of the letter which your Parliamentary Secretary has sent because, as I have read earlier on, this letter is not clear. Because it says, "to discharge your (the developer's) obligation to clear the temple." The developer says, "Here you are. This clearly says so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister know that after I have written to the developer who had in writing assured the temple people that he would build them a new temple at the developer's expense, his reply to me was that Government had taken over his obligation.”
“Sir, I am not the one who is not clear and I am not the one who is involved in this. It just happened that the developer takes your letter to mean that you are freeing him from his obligation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister what difficulty is there that he does not want to clear this up? It is not with me. I understand, but the developer does not. He sends the letter from the Government to the temple saying, "Here you are, you see, I paid this money and there is a receipt. I am free from my obligation.”
The complete record
Every one of 309 lines we hold for Sia Kah Hui, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 7.
“13 of 1966)", recommendation of President signified presented by Dr Goh Keng Swee; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CUSTOMS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Customs Ordinance, 1960 (No. 44 of 1960)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Dr Goh Keng Swee; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CINEMATOGRAPH FILM HIRE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Cinematograph Film Hire Duty Act, 1966 (No. 8 of 1966)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Dr Goh Keng Swee; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TRANSFER OF ASSETS) BILL First Reading 2.57 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I said earlier, it is not possible for that registrant to move from job to job. Once he is sent out by the Employment Exchange, he brings with him a card addressed to the prospective employer and there is a return card. If he is taken on, then the card in which the particulars are properly entered will be sent back to the Employment Exchange by the employer. The registrant's name will then be removed from the register. In other words, he is already an employed person and his name does not remain in the register. The card that he originally had will serve no purpose whatsoever. BILLS INTRODUCED 2.52 p.m. NATIONAL MUSEUM (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the National Museum Ordinance. 1957 (No. 30 of 1957)", presented by the Minister for Science and Technology (Dr Toh Chin Chye); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SUPPLY BILL "to provide for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to meet the estimated expenditure for the public services of Singapore for the financial year 1969", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee); read the First time, to be read a Second time on 23rd December, 1968, and to be printed. SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY (NO. 3) BILL "for making Supplementary Provision for the Public Service for the year 1968", recommendation of President signified; presented by Dr Goh Keng Swee; read the First time, to be read a Second time on 23rd December, 1968, and to be printed. FINANCIAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL "to amend the Financial Procedure Act, 1966 (No.”
“I do not understand. I do not know what card can be taken back. Mr P. Govindaswamy: I wish to know whether the registration card will be taken back, that is, the employment card. Once a person is employed, should not his registration card be taken back? Otherwise can he not continue to seek a better job at another place? That is the question I am asking and I hope the Parliamentary Secretary will answer it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that will not be possible because once we have sent a registrant out to a prospective employer, his card in the Employment Exchange is automatically endorsed. His name is therefore taken out of the register.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of persons registered in the Employment Exchange for employment assistance as at 31st October, 1968, was 62,095. From January to October 1968 the Employment Exchange had placed 3,880 registrants in employment. It is not the practice of the Employment Exchange to take back registration cards from registrants.”
“No, I would not use those words. I think there will be cases where the Ministry of Labour cannot get both sides to agree. And dealing with such cases is surely the purpose of the Industrial Arbitration Courts. EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE (Number of registrants as at 31-10-68 and number placed in employment between 1-1-68 and 31-10-68) 7. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (a) what was the total number of persons registered with the Employment Exchange for employment assistance as at 31st October, 1968; and (b) how many registrants had been placed in employment by the Exchange between 1st January and 31st October, 1968, and whether their registration cards have been taken back by the Exchange.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, human nature is such that there will be cases where the Ministry of Labour cannot -”
“I think the conciliatory machinery in the Ministry of Labour does its work well and, therefore, there is no need for any strike to take place.”
“I do not think I am able off-hand to give the number. But if the hon. Member will put it down as a question, it will be answered.”
“I think the hon. Member should know. Anyway, I think it is generally accepted that the employer/employee relationship was and is very good.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period 1st January to 31st October, 1968, there were only four strikes involving a total of 172 employees and a loss of 5,299 man-days. There were no other work stoppages during this period.”
“At present, there are no facilities available. But when the new hotel school is built, there may be a possibility of training the middle- rung hotel management staff, but not the top-ranking ones. At the moment, there are a few who are on training courses abroad for management staff. STRIKES AND WORK STOPPAGES FROM 1-1-68 TO 31-10-68 6. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour the number of (i) strikes, and (ii) work stoppages, during the period 1st January to 31st October, 1968.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Hotel and Catering Training Centre at 305 Tanglin Road will be extended to train more personnel in view of the expansion in the hotel trade. Since the introduction of the training scheme for the hotel and catering industry in May last year, nearly 600 persons have completed training as receptionists, cashiers, waitresses, waiters, barmen, room stewards and stewardesses. Plans are afoot to expand the training centre to provide for a wider scope of training as well as increasing the intake of trainees to meet the expected increase in the demand for hotel and catering personnel. In this connection, we have sought assistance from the Colombo Plan and the International Labour Organisation for expert staff, equipment and fellowships for local people. It is proposed to build a teaching hotel for this purpose. At present, there are about 1,800 hotel rooms in Singapore suitable for tourists and the industry employs about 2,700 workers. There are 15 hotel pro jects with a combined room capacity of slightly more than 4,500 rooms under way. The number of workers required to man the hotels is estimated on the basis of one and a half workers per room. With the completion of these 15 hotels, there will be employment opportunities for nearly 7,000 persons in the industry. It is estimated that by 1970 this industry will employ a total of 9,500 workers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the number ol applications received, approved and rejected for the period 1st January to 31st October, 1968, is as follows: Received 18,544 Approved 2,853 Rejected 5,532 HOTEL AND CATERING TRAINING CENTRE (Training of personnel and employment opportunities) 5. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (a) whether the Hotel and Catering Training Centre will be expanded to train more personnel in view of expansion in the hotel trade; and (b) the number of employment opportunities which will become available from the hotels under construction and from those now awaiting planning approval.”
“I think within a month or so. SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP APPLI- CATIONS FROM 1-1-68 TO 31-10-68 (Particulars) 4. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (a) how many applications for Singapore Citizenship were received during the period 1st January to 31st October, 1968; and (b) how many of those applications have been approved and how many of them have been rejected.”
“I think this particular question refers to teachers. I can say that the applications from teachers will be decided very shortly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to disagree with the hon. Member. The requirements are clearly spelt out in the Ordinance. This Ordinance was debated in this House some months ago and I do not see why there should be any person who has still not changed his identity card. If he chooses not to change it, I do not think any number of reminders will serve any purpose. COMPULSORY PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS 4. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Education if he will consider making adequate participation in the pugilistic arts, sports or in a cadet corps, or any other similar activity compulsory in secondary schools as a means of hastening the building of a rugged society.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that process has been going on all the time. Several invalids in the Chronic Sick Hospital were recently registered, because they had some difficulty in tracing their old identity cards. Some had lost their cards and had to take some time to trace them. There is no penalty attached in such cases.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the relevant Ordinance has clearly spelt out the time allowed for the application of new identity cards.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think that is necessary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, seeing that the Member for Delta is the only rose among the thorns in this House, I think I will say a word on her behalf in view of what the Member for Bukit Merah has said. It is true that she, as a member of the fair sex, accepts the fact that in the present setup of society, women play second fiddle and, more often than not, they are the injured party. This is not a question of right or wrong, as the Member for Bukit Merah has said, but whether she is realistic and practical in her approach and is not afraid to face facts. Although I do not agree with all that she has said, I feel that, to be fair to her, she is right in standing up for what she considers to be necessary for the advancement of her sex.”
“The solution, for the continued existence of our democratic institutions, indeed our very freedom and liberty, rests in armed strength and not in unarmed weakness. 6.29 p.m.”
“In fact, I would say that this is the very essence of true democracy. Every young able-bodied man should be proud to take his place as a member of the thousands of fellow citizens in defence of his country and bear his share of the country's burdens. This proposition will certainly meet with the absolute approval and wholehearted support of all loyal citizens. The practical side of national service, that is, the drill parades, the training in the various aspects of self-defence and discipline, are in themselves good for the character building of every individual. This is only by the way, for the cardinal principle in national service is that it is the duty of every citizen to submit to whatever sacrifice (if you can call it `sacrifice') he may be called upon to make. As a matter of fact, the provisions in the Bill, the so-called sacrifice which the individual citizens are asked to make, are little enough compared with those of the advanced countries of the world. I am sure the young able-bodied citizens of our country will not consider it a sacrifice when they are called upon to serve the country under the provisions of this Bill. The very great majority of them will certainly accept their responsibility and consider it a privilege to be able to take an honourable part in the defence of their country. The old out-dated idea that we are sojourners in the land of our adoption can no longer prevail. For if we consider our welfare and prosperity, indeed our very existence, and if we are a reasonable and thoughtful people, it must be considered an obligation and indeed a privilege for everyone who is able to learn to defend the country in case of a national emergency.”
“It has been said that "Civilisation is in itself an admission that the interests of the individual must be subordinate to `those of the community." We cannot wait for a national disaster to occur before compelling the citizens to take their share in the duty of defence. If it were so, then it would be like trying to organise a fire brigade after a fire had actually started. We cannot leave democracy and progress at the mercy of indifference and irresponsibility. We must realise that in the modern world, even the best of social conditions can easily be upset in a day or two unless the country in which they exist is able to defend itself. Those of you who have studied the history of South America know that in ancient Peru the peonle had realised the condition of socialism. But we know how easily a few armed invaders under the Spanish conquerors over-ran the country and over-threw their socialism at a touch. Mind you, the Peruvians outnumbered the Spaniards by at least a thousand to one, but the Spaniards were armed and know how to use their arms, while the Peruvians had no arms to speak about, or at best they merely had an army in name. The fate of the Peruvians suffices to show that even a perfect social and industrial system, if not efficiently organised and defended, may go down easily before an armed and trained invader. Again, Sir, I can just imagine that a very small minority of our people will make a hue and cry against national service, saying that it is undemocratic. Let me ask them, is there anything undemocratic in the proposal that every citizen, to whatever class of the community he may belong, and irrespective of race, should have the same liability to serve the State under exactly similar conditions?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is an accepted principle throughout the world that the privilege of citizenship carries with it the liability to engage in military training for the defence of the country. It is clear that this principle does not need any elaboration. But before I go further, I would like to make a passing reference to the very few of our people who consider that we are not, in fact, a free and independent country. Logically, these people, if they possess pink identity cards, should exchange them for blue ones. For then they would have at least a little ground to object to military training in defence of the country. In fact, I should say they would then have no right at all to raise their voices for they are not citizens. But for those of our citizens, our able-bodied young men, they will have to have the sense of responsibility to defend the democratic institutions upon which the liberties of our people depend. The question may be asked, how far are we justified in calling upon the individual citizen to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of the State? Can we admit in any circumstances that there should be compulsory national service? I will just quote a couple of examples in reply to them. We all do accept compulsion in taxation, for we look upon it as necessary and inevitable if a government were to carry on its business of governing the country. Again, we accept without any question the principle of compulsory insurance of motor vehicles for very obvious reasons. So, when it comes to the question of the State's actual security and existence, no one in his right mind should question the necessity of compulsory national service.”
“These actions are highly deplorable because they not only affect the banks themselves but also members of the public and the economy of the country. The inclusion of the banking services as an essential service does not prevent the union from taking strike action. But before doing so, they have to give 14 days' strike notice so that the banks could make alternative arrangements to serve the public and ensure that the economic activities of the country do' not come to a standstill. With regard to the broadcasting and television services, these are vital media of transmission of news, entertainment and information of public interest. There should also be no qualms about the inclusion of public bus transport and air services in the list of essential services. In fact, the Singapore Traction Company Employees Union gave 14 days' strike notice although they were not required to do so when they threatened to go on strike last year. Public bus transport is very essential especially to the thousands of school children and office workers who depend on it. As regards air services, Singapore is at the cross-roads of international air traffic. Malaysia/Singapore Airlines is providing ground and catering facilities for many airlines and it is essential that these services are not disrupted by sudden strike action by the workers. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.10 p.m.”
“It is the duty of every loyal citizen to see that our survival is not threatened by irresponsible elements. We have to see that not only is our economy kept going, but also ensure that it expands. Water, electricity and gas are vital necessities of life, and Government has to ensure that these basic necessities are not denied to the people. The prohibition of strikes in these services is to ensure that these vital services are available at all times and that the people are not held to ransom by the irresponsible acts of a few union leaders who abuse freedom of action in a democratic society. The hon. Member for Bras Basah has said that the Minister can refer disputes to arbitration under the present legislation. I would like to ask him, does he not know, as I have mentioned earlier, of the recent case of the wild-cat strike called by one union even though the Minister had already referred the dispute to arbitration? We have included the banking services as an essential service because banking is a very important financial institution in the economy of the country. Of late the Singapore Bank Employees Union has shown signs of irresponsibility by suddenly calling on its members to work to rule, to refuse overtime work and even to go on strike over minor issues. These have caused disruptions not only in the bank services but also jammed up the clearing of cheques, and this gives Singapore a bad image. This union has on more than one occasion taken industrial action to pressurise the banks into giving in to their demands at a time when banking is doing its best business, such as before certain festivals like the Chinese New Year.”
“There have also been instances of workers belonging to this union who went out to intimidate those members of the public who had lodged complaints against them for malingering. Although the union was fully aware of such happenings, it did not take any positive action to rectify matters. If the union were, on the other hand, responsible, it would have co-operated to ensure that the workers did a fair day's work for a fair day's wage. The hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan has said that the Government, in introducing an amendment to the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Bill, has become anti-union. This cannot be true in the face of the Government's contributions to the building up of a solid and strong trade union movement in this country. To the Member for Anson, I would say that Government is definitely not unsympathetic to the needs of the workers. But it must be recognised that a strike is a weapon which should only be used as a last resort, when all means of settlement of a trade dispute has failed. Strikes do not resolve trade disputes. We have a system of industrial relations in Singapore which ensures a fair deal to the workers. Our system of voluntary negotiations, conciliation and arbitration is provided for in the laws of our land to ensure that no worker is exploited. There should be no reason for workers to go on strike and this is even more so in the essential and vital services. The prohibition of strikes in the public utility services should not, therefore, adversely affect the rights of workers. In fact, the workers in these services will be protected so that they will not be misled or exploited by irresponsible elements who control the destiny of their unions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to say a few words in support of the Bill. The Public Daily-Rated Employees' Federation Union, to which the gas, water and electricity workers' unions are affiliated, has recently shown by its action that it is a highly irresponsible union. The leaders of the union recently called out workers employed in the Cleansing Department in an illegal strike in furtherance of certain disputes of which the Industrial Arbitration Court had already taken cognizance, and in spite of the advice given by the N.T.U.C. We cannot allow such irresponsible unions to call wild-cat strikes in the vital services of the country. Water, gas and electricity services are vital to the day-to-day life of our people. These services must be provided, and continue to be provided to the public at all times; I repeat, at all times. Without these services, the whole community will suffer and the survival of our country will be seriously affected. We cannot allow such things to happen at this very vital stage of our development. Hon. Members know that I was in the Ministry of Health for about three and a half years and, therefore, am familiar with the work of the Daily-Rated Workers Union, especially the Cleansing Workers' Union. Rather than keep the city clean, some of the members were more engrossed in collecting old tin cans for sale. As a matter of fact, this is well known to all members of the public, including the union leaders. The workers were more interested in treble pay by working on Sundays and holidays, and for this purpose they absented themselves from work on normal working days. [Mr Tang See Chim in the Chair] 4.05 p.m.”
“If the hon. Member is really interested in it, we might be able to find out for him.”
“Although the race of the applicant is indicated, we do not keep groupings by race. That is why the figure is not readily available, as I have said, because we are not really interested to know how many Chinese or how many Indians are made citizens. Mr Govindaswamy: That is exactly what I am interested in, that there should be a record by race. If there is any such question by the public, we cannot furnish the number of applications from our different races. Will the Parliamentary Secretary take action to keep a record by race in future?”
“I regret to inform the hon. Member that it is not possible to give a breakdown, by race, of the number of applications received from adults for Singapore citizenship and the number approved in 1965, as the information is not readily available from the Registry of Citizenship. The Registry does not keep a record of applications and approved cases by race as there is no racial grouping in respect of citizenship. I can only inform the hon. Member that a total of 18,669 applications were received by the Registry in 1965. This figure includes applications from minors. The number of applications approved in 1965 totals 15,295, of which 11,250 were in respect of adults and 4,045 were in respect of minors.”
“Whatever sound educational system we might devise, if the principal and the teachers do not understand the aim and are not prepared to put in the effort, then it will fail. It is for that matter that we are organising a seminar of principals sometime towards the end of the month with a view to getting suggestions from them, and hoping in the process that they will be educated also! The Member for Choa Chu Kang has raised the question of the elite school. The land for this particular school has been acquired and plans are being drawn up. As soon as these are ready and approval is given, an announcement will be made as to when the work will be carried out, the basis of admission, and so forth. While everybody will agree that it is ideal and that it will be desirable to have free secondary education, I think our present financial position will not permit free secondary education to be introduced.”
“I just want to take up one point. The hon. Member for Punggol has talked about the Primary School Leaving Examination. Because I was closely connected with the running of that examination for several years, I know how it works. Actually I am surprised when the Member says that the objective type of examination is not good because the students tend to just toss a coin and are sure to get a certain number of answers right. The objective test is actually considered by leading educationists in the world as the sure way of finding out what children know. In the marking of a paper, for example, if there are 80 questions set and there are 4 possible answers to each question given, if a child were to put down just "(1) ", "(1) ", "(1) ", and so on as the answers to all the 80 questions, well, he will get only 20 marks, i.e, one-quarter. But in the actual computation of the results, he gets a zero; because if he gets 20 marks, it is equivalent to 0. Anyway, the system takes too long to explain here, but in the marking system where a boy were to try that sort of trick, he would get actually nothing: Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I subscribe fully to all the sentiments expressed by the Member for Choa Chu Kang, in particular, that the aim of education should be to produce a complete man, literate as well as healthy. On the aim of education I do not think there is any controversy. It is not really a very controversial subject. The arguments centre round how best to achieve the aim. In my view, if you want to produce the complete man, one who is literate and sound in health, it depends on the system of education, the principal, the teachers, the family and the home environment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I am an ex-principal, I think what the Member for Paya Lebar has said needs a little bit of clarification. In my 16 years in school, I must say that I have not known of a single principal in English medium schools who had anything to do with bookshops paying him a percentage. It might have happened in Chinese schools - and I must say that I have heard of that but not in English medium schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a Mobile Unit to provide a resuscitation service for the Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital was seriously considered towards the end of 1959 but was found not necessary for the following reasons: One, Singapore being a small island and Kandang Kerbau Hospital not more than 15 miles away from any given point, and what with the excellent road facilities throughout the island, access to the hospital is rapid and easy. Two, the proportion of women delivering in the hospital is almost 75 per cent of the total deliveries in Singapore. This being the case, it is estimated that at the most about four cases per year of those who deliver outside the Kandang Kerbau Hospital may need the type of service envisaged for the Mobile Unit if set up. Three, the resources of Kandang Kerbau Hospital itself are limited. It will be preferable to entrain staff for normal hospital work which itself is already severely strained rather than set aside valuable staff just to stand by for occasional calls. To man a 24-hour service, the Mobile Unit will require three teams working in shifts - not to mention those who will have to cover for leave when the staff take their annual leave or emergency leave. The minimum staff required to establish one Mobile Unit would be two medical officers, five nurses, four ambulance drivers and four attendants. LICENSING OF HAWKERS IN KAMPONG ARANG ROAD 14. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to license the hawkers concentrated at the Housing and Development Board Housing Estate car park near Kampong Arang Road, the majority of whom are residents of the area, and to arrange for them to be re-sited elsewhere in the Housing Estate.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the hospitals where institutional quarters are available are as follows: Outram Road General Hospital 18 Tan Tock Seng Hospital 5 Thomson Road General Hospital 1 Kandang Kerbau Hospital 1 Woodbridge Hospital 6 Trafalgar Home 2 Middleton Hospital 1 It should be noted that institutional quarters are for medical officers and not necessarily for qualified specialists as mentioned by the Member for Aljunied. There is, I understand, no policy at the present regarding the provision of institutional quarters in hospitals, but it is understood that the Economic Planning Unit is studying this question. However, in the allocation of the present available institutional quarters, a points system is in use and some weight is given to those medical officers who are particularly required to stay inside the hospital compound. RESUSCITATION SERVICE MOBILE UNIT AT KANDANG KERBAU HOSPITAL 13. Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider the addition of a "Mobile Unit", for providing Resuscitation Service, to the present ambulance fleet of the Kandang Kerbau Hospital to give a good and safe Maternity Service and when.”
“As I have said earlier, there is already this price margin of 5 per cent, and in medicines and drugs the margin is even higher. I do not think there should be no limit to the price that the local company can ask. There must be a limit. MOSQUITO CONTROL AND ERADICATION IN ANSON 11. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made in the control and eradication of mosquitoes in the Anson Constituency.”
“I am afraid I have no answer to that, because S.A.T.A. is not a Government institution.”
“As far as I can remember, the contract was given to a local firm to supply this particular drug at a cost that is much higher than the imported product of the same kind. If the company is going to have very heavy manufacturing costs, I do not think Government is expected to bear the burden. As I have said earlier, there is already a margin of up to 5 per cent, and, in fact, in medicines and drugs, the preference price margin is even higher, especially in this particular case.”
“The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Tuan Haji Yaacob]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 6.07 p.m. Clauses 1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 3 - Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Sir, I beg to move, In page 2, lines 1 and 2, to leave out "1st day of January" and insert "30th day of May". Under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, no resident of Singapore can possess or use in Singapore a motor vehicle which was first registered outside Singapore after 1st January, 1966 until such fees as prescribed in the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Rules, 1948, have been paid. However, before 30th May, 1966 a vehicle which was registered in the Federation was expressly exempted under the Rules from payment of additional registration fees on re-registration in Singapore. The Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing (Amendment) Rules, 1966, removed this exemption in respect of Federation-registered vehicles. It is, therefore, logical and desirable to change the date in clause 3 of the Bill from 1st January, 1966 to 30th May, 1966. Amendment agreed to. Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, In page 2, line 10, to leave out "1st day of January" and insert "30th day of May". The reason is the same as that for the first amendment. Amendment agreed to. Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 4 and 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 6 -”
“Regarding the suggestion of the Member for Delta that the enforcement of this Bill should be held in abeyance for six months or a year, I think the question of eliminating pirate taxi activities was first talked about long ago, and the response was that more pirate taxis came on to the road, and ample time was given to these operators to find alternative means of livelihood. I think the request from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, the Members for Kampong Kapor, Changi, and so on, was that pirate taxis be allowed to carry office workers and adults. It is difficult to distinguish between an office worker and an ordinary person hiring a pirate taxi. I think this request cannot be considered at this stage. Likewise, the question of teachers being included in the definition. The question of how many children can be carried in a licensed pirate taxi will be announced later, but at the moment, what I can propose is the ratio of two adults to three children, so that the maximum a car can carry is seven passengers. We must ensure the safety of school children should an accident occur. Talking as fathers, we should ensure the safety of our children. On the question of profit and loss, the matter has been considered at great length by the Committee which has put up this Report after hearing many representations from associations like the association representing taxis which has a membership of 800 members at the moment. Nevertheless, on the whole, I am grateful to hon. Members for all the views and suggestions put forward. They will receive my due consideration in the interest of members of the public. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.”
“So if such a type of vehicle is limited to carrying only school children, would it be profitable, or would the operator earn enough for a living? Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very much impressed today because the Bill has created interest among hon. Members. This is right and proper, because transport is our major problem, as has been pointed out by several hon. Members. We have considered this problem from all angles for the benefit of our country. However, we admit that in the implementation of the Bill we may face trials and tribulations, but in the interest of peace and for the benefit of the majority of our people, we are obliged to take somewhat drastic measures because it was during the period when the R.O.V. was under Malaysia that the number of pirate taxis was on the increase. We consider it essential that an amendment be made to curb the activities of pirate taxi operators. I am grateful to certain Members of the House who have put forward constructive suggestions. One of the suggestions coming from the Member for Bras Basah is a request that the issuance of licences does not fall into the hands of small capitalists. It is the responsibility of my Ministry to give serious consideration to this matter. I feel that certain Members are anxious that when action is taken against these pirate taxi operators, it will mean a step backwards in the transport system. But I think that in the interim period we are obliged to take this measure because, in the past, when we asked for extension of a bus service in certain areas, the bus company concerned turned down the request on uneconomical grounds. With the curbing of pirate taxi activities, the bus companies should have no reason not to extend their services.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I just want to get some clarification from the Minister concerned. In the Report of the Milton Tan Committee - the section on the proposed licensing of private motor vehicles to carry school children only for profit -- from the wording, I assume that only school children will be carried. I know for a fact that at the moment there are some teachers or school clerks who go with children in the same motor vehicles. But if only school children are allowed to be carried as passengers in this type of vehicle, did the Committee go into the details of the economic factors involved? Now how many school children can a motor vehicle carry? At the moment, 10, 12 or 15 children are squeezed into one car, but I suppose when the taxis are licensed, they will not be able to do that. So probably each car will be able to carry six or seven school children for one session. So for two sessions, one car will be able to carry an average of 12 or 14 school children. But if each school child were to pay an average of $12 per month, then the owner-driver of such a type of vehicle would be able to have an income of about $150 a month. Now these drivers have to pay $2 a month for the licence fee and I wonder how much they are going to pay for insurance cover for passengers! If they are allowed to carry only school children, as I said earlier, they can only carry about 14 school children a day seven boys or girls in the morning session and seven in the afternoon session. So that means that 14 children will be paying to the owner of that vehicle. He has to pay $2 a month for the licence fee. Now how much he has to pay for insurance cover, I do not know.”
“Mr Speaker, I wonder whether in the fourth line the word "expression" should also be changed to "words". After the amendment just now, I think that if the whole clause were to read properly, then the word "expression" should be changed to "words", so that the clause will read: `...by deleting the words "State Advocate-General" wherever they appear therein and substituting therefor the words "Attorney-General":-'. Would that not be more consistent?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as there is a disparity in the number of female and male Members in this House, I would like to be on the side of the Minister for Finance who has spoken gallantly on behalf of the women. I think it is only right, as the hon. Member for Delta has indicated, that lack of facilities is certainly a very important factor. I think the Minister concerned would gladly accede to her request.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek clarification from the Minister. If I am not mistaken, I think the public generally assume that if their names are on the electoral registers, then they are Singapore citizens. I think probably that would be the impression of the public. Is it the intention of this Bill that those people whose names are on the electoral registers, but who cannot produce documentary evidence to prove that they are either citizens by birth or citizens by registration, will have their names removed from the electoral roll?”
“So, if it is possible, the Minister may adopt some of the provisions used in dealing with people who have concubines to deal with such a situation as I have mentioned. For instance, we have a Women's Charter which provides legal protection for women. Now everybody can have but only one wife. What I mean to say is that because of past practice, there are some people whose birth certificates are without names. Is it possible not to re-register such people whose birth certificates are without names but who have sufficient documents to prove their claims? I would like to say that this is the time when everybody should know the importance of birth certificates, and if the parents overlook the importance of filling up the names of their children, then they have themselves to blame. Because if we set up special centres to register such people, then they will still be inclined to neglect the importance of having names on birth certificates.”
“I think it is a very good suggestion by the Member for River Valley, that a special centre should be opened to cater specifically for people who have birth certificates without names. And to further assist these people, the Minister could issue a notice of some kind to members of the public that certain types of documents would be acceptable, and list them, something like what they have in the Immigration Department, when you apply for your aged parents to come or your wife or husband to come - they have this printed on the back of the application form. These documentary proofs must be produced before the case can be considered, so that cuts out possibilities of corruption. It means that everyone concerned knows that if he can produce certain documents, then he can satisfy all the requirements and his case will not be left to the whims and fancies of the officials concerned in this matter. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta) (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, a little while ago the Member for River Valley suggested that a special registry should be set up to deal with applicants who have birth certificates without names on them; in other words, that they can go to such places to apply for identity cards. I have another suggestion. The suggestions by other Members are also good. 6.15 p.m. If such special registration offices are set up, people will be inclined to overlook the necessity to register the names of their children on the birth certificates, because they know that there is such a special registration office to suit their convenience. As far as I understand, the main reason why certain people have birth certificates without name is that their parents did not pay much attention to such practice. Only within this decade people tend to view birth certificates with more concern.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I just want to touch on clause 12. To a Chinese parent of the old school, the naming of a child is a very serious matter. One does not go about it lightly. He has to consult people and books and until he knows whether his child is a boy or a girl, he cannot go about naming it in advance. Very often, he waits until it is born and he takes quite a long time to think of a name that is considered suitable and respectable to the grandparents, and all the rest of it. There are all sorts of connections, even cousins and sisters; every link has to be considered. So it takes quite a long time. Not realising the importance of having a name recorded on a birth certificate, such a Chinese parent often takes no trouble to have his child's name registered. I think after a certain number of years, if a name is not registered in a birth certificate, you cannot have it done. So the chance is missed. Because of this, we know that there are a great number of people in Singapore who possess birth certificates without names. Clause 12 (3) says that a person with a birth certificate without the name of the child, but supported by a statutory declaration shall not necessarily be sufficient evidence for the purposes of sub-clause (1) . I would like to ask the Minister whether he would consider a birth certificate without the name of the child, plus a statutory declaration plus a passport --- either a Singapore or a Malaysian passport --- as sufficient evidence for the purposes of sub-clause (1) . 5.52 p.m.”