Sim Boon Woo
Singapore
“Thank you very much, Sir. As everyone is jumping on to the band wagon. I thought I would join in also. I regret to note that the Changi Airport Development which costs $129.6 million has been planned with total disregard for the welfare and livelihood of the fishermen directly affected by this project.”
“Some three weeks ago I asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development to convene a meeting with the Primary Production Department and the Housing and Development Board, but to my surprise nothing has been done.”
“Sir, I think the Minister is mistaken when he said that I was being unfair to him by saying that he did not tell me about the project that was going on in the Bedok resettlement. Perhaps the officers who briefed the Minister could have made the mistake. The first case of repossession of land was at Lorong Dangai and Koh Sek Lim.”
“But these people obeyed the warning of the land inspectors and resumed their farming. But after a month they were again issued with another notice stating that their land would be repossessed.”
“Sir, it is very hard to please the Minister. I have never mentioned about allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry to hawk all over the place. My request is that those fishermen, who are old and unable to fish because they have been resettled in Housing Board flats far away from the sea, be given licences in Bedok New Town where markets and sta…”
“But I feel that the point must be driven home to our people that what they have enjoyed and hope to continue to enjoy must be paid for by constant vigilance and no one can afford to be complacent, which would make it easier for the Communists to make a comeback.”
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Every one of 308 lines we hold for Sim Boon Woo, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 7.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2188. Sir, under this subhead, I see that a sum of $1.7 million is sought to provide free water supply at public standpipes. As far as I know - I have the privilege of being a member of the U.R.S.C. - I understand that about 150 public standpipes have been removed, sometimes without the knowledge of Members of Parliament. I think the Minister himself is also faced with the same problem. Can he explain why a sum of $1.7 million is still provided for next year, although about 150 standpipes have already been removed?”
“I am not moving. The sum of $933,000 for Head 1107 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1108 The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Lim Guan Hoo --- That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1303. Mr Lim Guan Hoo: I am not moving.”
“In addition to the trees and flowers in Tanglin, there are also a few rocks and stones, piled up in the shape of a man, and on top there is a little fountain. It is a beautiful thing. However, we in the poor man's area do not get such things but only a few trees with leaves, grass, and that is all-very poor types of flowers and plants. I think the Minister himself should go there and have a look. If I were a cameraman, I would take some photographs and show them to him.”
“I think the Parliamentary Secretary has misunderstood what I have said just now. I stated that today you plant a tree and about a week later in the widening of the road the P.W.D, move in and pull it out and chuck it away. There is no co-ordination between the Parks Division and the P.W.D. If money is to be spent in planting a tree and then pulling it out again for the purpose of widening the roads, what is the use of spending the money? In places like Coronation Road, the Parliamentary Secretary can take a car and drive down there immediately. In Swan Lake Avenue, where I live, you can see that the lamp posts in just about three months are totally covered by the trees. That is what I have seen. The Member for Thomson has informed me that the same thing happens in Choa Chu Kang, and he can substantiate it. Sir, I wonder whether the Parliamentary Secretary can make this point very clear. I am not against such form of development, but I do not feel that at this time we should make some sacrifice in the midst of development of our country, What I am against is the fact that trees planted today are removed about a week later; there must be some dislocation somewhere. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to speak on the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary that there is no difference between a rich man's area and a poor man's area. I think there is a difference. Just look at Tanglin Road. Look at all the trees and flowers planted there, and compare them with the trees and flowers planted along Bukit Ho Swee. They are not quite the same. The flowers in Tanglin are expensive, beautiful, and of a better type. I cannot describe them, but I can at least see an aesthetic difference.”
“So when tourists come here for a visit, they do not enjoy the scenery as it will appear too westernised. So I feel that we must introduce an Eastern colour to the scenery. Singapore is in Asia and therefore we should put up things that are typical of this part of the world in order to attract more tourists. The Chief Parks Officer has learnt a lot from the West and may have acquired a Western outlook. Perhaps we can encourage him to go to some Asian countries to acquire an artistic taste so that he can add more Asian colour to our trees and flowers. The Member for Changi has also said that the trees are planted haphazardly. I do not know whether this is an inheritance from the colonial era: more plants and flowers are planted in areas where there are more rich people staying. The flowers are very well planted and looked after at road circuses or junctions in areas where the rich people stay. But in areas where the poor people stay, the circuses are not planted with beautiful flowers. Sir, this is not an exaggeration on my part. If we go round the island, we can see for ourselves that better flowers are planted in areas occupied by the middle class than in areas occupied by the poor people. For example, Delta Circus is in one such area occupied by the poor people. I hope the Minister will direct his attention to these matters.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1005 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. * The same amendment also stood in the name of Madam Chan Choy Siong. Sir, every effort has been made by the Government to make Singapore a garden city by the planting of trees and flowers and the building of fountains, etc. The point I wish to bring up is that ihere is lack of co-ordination and no proper planning between the Parks Division and the P.W.D. Sir, I suggest that more trees should be planted in the town areas and not in the rural areas like Changi, Choa Chu Kang and Jalan Kayu. In fact, the people of Choa Chu Kang ask for water, but they get trees instead! All these con stituencies are supposed to be semi-jungle and the trees have not been properly planted. For example, a small tree is planted about 1� yards away from a lamp-post. Within a year, the tree grows up and it engulfs the lamp-post or blocks out the light. What is worse is this. The Parks Division plants a tree today. But one week later, the P.W.D., on a programme of widening the roads, pull it out and throw it away and carry on with their work. This wastage of money is, shall I say, unpardonable. Sir, I would like the Minister to pay serious attention to all these things and I hope that steps will be taken to put them right. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree very much with what the Member for Changi has said. But I would like to speak on the planting of flowers and plants and the building of small parks. I feel that they should reflect an Eastern colour and tone in order that Singapore should be the garden city of Asia. But at present, the small parks and the planting of flowers, and so on, follow Western lines.”
“In view of the explanation given by the Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1002 be reduced by $10 in respect of item (1) of subhead 2034. Sir, community listening sets are usually placed in the rural areas so that the rural people who do not have any radio sets have the opportunity to listen to news, current affairs, etc. But a more important purpose is the countering of subversive propaganda by the anti-national elements. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to the fact that when a community listening set is out of order, it usually takes months to repair it. Sir, with such an inefficient state of affairs still existing, this House is asked to approve a sum of $31,300 for the maintenance of public listening sets and public address equipment. Is this worth while? [Mr Tang See Chim in the Chair] 3.50 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,185,640 for Head 0104 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0105 -”
“Sir, I hope the Prime Minister will seriously consider my suggestion. Mr Tang See Chim: Sir, in view of the shortage of time, I just want to bring up one matter and that is the non-recognition by the Public Service Commission of certain American degrees. Will the Prime Minister enlighten us?”
“Sir, I think the Public Service Commission is doing excellent work. I do hope that when the new Constitution is presented to Parliament, there will be provision for increasing the membership to the Commission so that it will be possible to give a more balanced and multi-racial composition. However, Sir, in making this suggestion I am not casting any aspersions on the office of the Chairman nor on any of the members of the Public Service Commission. As I have pointed out, they are doing excellent work. Hon. Members have had occasion to hear of matters pertaining to certain resignations being brought up in this House and no doubt satisfactory explanations have been given.”
“I am troubled by these rumours and that is why I hope that by bringing up this matter, these unfounded rumours will be killed once and for all. The talk in the town is that some people are unhappy with the Public Service Commission and that it is prejudiced and biased in selecting candidates for appointments and promotions, to the extent of saying that the Public Service Commission is pro-Chinese. Sir, I do not think this is so.”
“Yes, Sir. Not forgetting that the Commission has also powers to dismiss any public servant. What I wish to raise in this House today is as a result of rumours being spread about the Public Service Commission. These rumours no doubt are untrue but they have become quite persistent and are damaging to the good name of the Public Service Commission, although I do not believe them.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0104 be reduced by $l00*. * The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Tang See Chim. Sir, as I understand it, the function of the Public Service Commission is to regulate impartially the public service. This Commission works on an independent basis with wide powers to appoint and promote persons in the public service.”
“It is also in keeping with the Government's economic plans and the nature of our economy so that our national wealth can be more equally distributed among our people. This will help them to achieve a better and equal socialist society earlier. I have given my suggestions. At the same time, I would also like to express my support for the many good points in the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance. 3.11 p.m.”
“The Government's policy with regard to the encouragement of foreign investments should also take account of the interest of the small merchants and hawkers so that there can be equal development among all sections of our population. I am of the view that the Government should set up a loan organisation, for instance, to help taxi-drivers. We know that their taxis are mostly on loan or on hire, and some of them purchase them on hire purchase terms at very high interest. So their monthly expenses are very heavy. In addition, they have to maintain their families. Very often, they cannot continue to pay their instalments half-way and their vehicles are taken back by the sellers. So this loan organisation can in a way help to solve part of the problems of the taxi-drivers. The small merchants who are evicted as a result of urban renewal should also be helped by the Government to resettle in new shops by a scheme of service. The Government should help to re-establish their businesses through some form of loans, because we know that even the large commercial firms have to depend on larger financial organisations to back them up. So this is a factor that will affect our economic prosperity. Secondly, I think the Government can set up a corporation to enable the people to invest in it, to encourage them to buy shares of various firms and industries. Thus the investors will not be confined to just a small group of people. This will help the masses to take part in investment schemes and become shareholders. If there are more investors, there will be more funds to replenish our financial resources and to help carry out the Government's economic policies.”
“But we have seen that many people have been forcibly removed as a result of urban renewal schemes. These people - especially the hawkers and small merchants - have suffered quite a lot economically as a result of urban renewal schemes. Although we have allotted them shops, they normally fight shy of taking them up because of the high rentals. They just admire the shops without daring to rent them. Yet we are encouraging the capitalists to take part in our urban renewal schemes by giving them more favourable terms. Of course, nobody can accuse us of not encouraging them to invest in order to increase our economic prosperity. We are giving them a lot of encouragement and favourable terms. For instance, we grant them tax exemption for a number of years, good sites for development, better attention and facilities. From this glaring example, the people are given the impression that we are granting better facilities to the rich who are availing themselves of Government assistance to achieve their own purposes. On the other hand, the small merchants and hawkers have more or less to close shop after they have been forcibly evicted. This situation can he described as an abnormal development. In other words, we are helping the rich and doing nothing for the poor. Thus, this problem is not being looked into properly by the Government. Therefore, I would like to express the hope that our Government will thoroughly carry out the objectives in their manifesto in a revolutionary spirit in order to bring about a democratic, non-Communist socialist society and to redress the balance between the poor and the rich. I hope the Government can put forward suggestions to achieve this.”
“Although the average income of the workers has improved somewhat more than before, generally speaking, however, the degree of improvement is very small. Although the market for consumer goods is quite active, most of the goods are purchased on hire purchase terms. Many consumers, after acquiring such consumer goods on an instalment basis, later find themselves unable to pay the whole amount due. So they get into difficulties because of lack of money. From these instances, we can see clearly that though one side of the picture represents our nation as prosperous, on the other side of it, however, there are still the workers whose purchasing power is limited. Another point I would like to suggest is that when we talk about individual income, the accumulative income of an individual may increase his purchasing power, but there are instances where the method of taxation may not channel capital into productive fields. The people are generally paying taxes, but the rich are still able to evade paying what they should pay. So this has brought about a greater difference between the rich and the poor and a certain amount of economic imbalance in society, with the result that there may not be an equal enjoyment of the services provided by the country. The poor will be struggling forever in dire poverty; the rich will be richer; and therefore the line between the rich and the poor will be more marked. There is an outstanding problem with regard to urban renewal. Everybody wants to look forward to a better future, but the upheavals caused by urban renewal cannot escape our attention. Urban renewal schemes should achieve social progress and not cause any exploitation of the people. They should not cause the people any inconvenience.”
“was mainly aimed at getting the best things for the majority of our people, namely, security and prosperity. Sir, I am saying all this in order to show the economic challenge before us so that we may analyse seriously our work in the past year. Everybody knows that the P.A.P. Government ever since it came to power has carried out revolutionary work in all fields, and everybody knows our achievements. What we have been able to achieve has enabled to create a stable society and a prosperous economy and this clearly shows the efficiency of our Government. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity today to remind the Government to redouble its efforts in its tasks, fired by its revolutionary spirit, as it has been in the past, and serve this country and implement its economic policies in order to bring equality to all sections of the people: in other words, to close the gap between the rich and the poor. As everybody can see, Singapore is prosperous and very progressive. But we should not look only at the optimistic side of the picture and neglect the other side of it. The other side is one of the platforms of the P.A.P.'s manifesto, i.e., to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and to establish a non-Communist, democratic, socialist, fair and just society where there is no exploitation of man by man. I have said all this in order that all the people concerned can pay more attention to this so as to bring to realisation all that we have hoped for. We should also allow our younger generation to understand our problems and our tasks. We all know that most of the consumers are in the middle and lower income groups. These consumers are purchasers. They must have a good standard of living before they can spend more.”
“So any economic measures adopted by the Government must be based on our platform for nation-building and on our spirit of revolution. Sir, allow me to remind the Government that while we, as representatives of the people, are working towards a democratic, socialist, egalitarian and multi-racial society, we must realise the tasks and the responsibilities the people have entrusted to us. I feel that any work in nation-building must aim at the highest achievement and the highest ideal, if we deviate from this path, it will mean that we are deviating from the interests of the people and we will lose their support. Without the base formed by the general masses of the people, we will not be able to carry out our policies and our efforts will be in vain. We must let the people understand that the dynamic force which has generated our present economic prosperity and stability is something which we should understand and which is meaningful. I remember on the 20th of February, 1959, the Deputy Prime Minister gave the reasons why the P.A.P, had received the support of the people. He said that most of the people of Singapore were labourers and were being exploited. They supported our aim for an equal and just society and our policies for equal opportunities in employment and other fields and they wanted to have a better standard of living. The merchants also supported us because of our integrity and anti-corruption campaigns and other effective administrative measures. They supported an honest and clean government which would be conducive to their economic interests so that they could live in peace. The present Minister for Finance, namely, Dr Goh Keng Swee, at that time said that the economic policy of the P.A.P.”
“I must, however, stress that we must pay more attention to the spirit and principle of the Budget than to its details. I would now like to remind the Government that since the expenditure and revenue for next year are balanced, I hope they will make use of the stable economy to pay more attention to the interest of the labourers who constitute a large part of our population, and to implement as quickly as possible the Government's policy in relation to the labouring class in order to reduce in the shortest time possible the gap between the rich and the poor so that we can speedily achieve a democratic, socialist society. Sir, I should say the 1968 Budget is satisfactory to all. There are many things which are encouraging to us, one of which is that next year the expenditure and revenue will balance and there is no increase in taxation, which would have been a burden on the people. Just as the Minister has pointed out, our economy is progressing as it has in the past. There has been an eight per cent increase in national income. This is not only a surprise to many experts, but it also makes us feel proud of our economic achievements because we have achieved quite a lot in the economic field. We can say that ours is a unique case in South-east Asia, and we are enjoying a high standard of living. That goes to show that a country must have a judicious, democratic, socialist leadership and enlightened economic measures before it can achieve social stability, economic prosperity and a rise in the standard of living of the people. I am sure hon. Members will all agree with me that this type of economic policy should not only create prosperity but also achieve stability.”
“Sir, a tourist will ask himself how much he gets out of his spending in the Republic and what he gets out of it, and if he finds that it is not worth his money, not only will he not come again but many of his friends will be encouraged to go elsewhere. Sir, it has always been said that we lack the kind of first-class entertainment, services and facilities found in places like Bangkok, Hong Kong and Japan. Other than their first trip here on business, very few people would want to visit here again. Therefore, some kind of inducement must be added to the existing ones to make the tourists stay longer and visit here more often. In fact, considerable efforts have been made by the Government and the various business communities to encourage an increase in the number of tourists having their holidays here. But I would say that it is not enough. More efforts and more planning must be put in. Sir, all of us are happy to note that the Finance Minister has decided not to increase any tax next year and yet is able to spend more in next year's development. On the whole, the 1968 Budget is a very big New Year gift to the two million people of this young Republic. Sir, I fully endorse my support of the motion tabled by the Minister that Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the year 1968. 2.44 p.m. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta)(In Mandarin): Sir, I do not wish to dwell at length on the question of economy, because in the past few years we have seen a lot of news on this topic being published in the newspapers. We have also seen how our local merchants have praised our wise Minister for Finance for being able to table such a Budget like this one before us.”
“Sir, our Government has at least tried to reduce the problem with a high percentage of success within a bearable limit through expansion and diversity of trade, industrialisation and the opening of new avenues, such as tourism, to create more jobs. The Government and the citizens themselves have to work very hard for their survival. Sir, the Finance Minister has suggested a number of ways to overcome the unemployment problem which, when fully accomplished, will find jobs for about 43,000 people every year for the next few years. But he has never touched on how to assist the farmers to get cheaper fertilizers and cheaper multi-feeds so that they can produce more goods and our people can enjoy cheaper vegetables and livestocks. Sir, I take particular interest in the Minister's indication of the tourist trade. As far as I can understand, the Minister has based his calculations in the promotion of the tourist trade chiefly, if not solely, on the building of first-class hotels to create employment for about 9,000 people over the next three and a half years. I do not see how this can induce tourists to visit Singapore, although it cannot be questioned that such ultra modern accommodation does make them feel cosy during their stay. But surely they are not coming here from thousands of miles away just for the purpose of making themselves comfortable in the hotels? Neither do I believe that they are interested in helping us solve our unemployment problem. Sir, to make a success out of the tourist trade, I suggest that the main factor to be considered is how to attract tourists and not how to create jobs out of tourism, and when we have succeeded in this respect, then our services will automatically be in demand, resulting in the creation of direct or indirect employment.”
“Sir, it is particularly heartening to note that not long after our independence came the restoration of diplomatic and trading relations with Indonesia. This, as stated by the Finance Minister, is the most important of the three main reasons for the present buoyancy of the economy. Import and export of many commodities in our trade with Indonesia have not only been restored to the pre-confrontation level in volume, but have also surpassed it. Increase in exports to South Vietnam and the enormous inflow of Hong Kong capital were also the major items contributing to the good performance of our national economy. Mr Speaker, Sir, the lengthy Budget speech of the Finance Minister was dominated by his concern over the growing unemployment problem and the proposed retrenchment of some 16,000 citizens employed in the British bases within the next three and a half years, and the ways and means he proposed to overcome them. As it is, the Republic faces an increase of about 25,000 employable young people annually. According to the sample Household Survey of the University of Singapore Economic Research Centre, 52,630 were unemployed out of a total of slightly more than half a million employable, that is, about 10 per cent were unemployed, and there is a growing increase of unemployed every year. Sir, this is further aggravated by the impending retrenchment of workers in the British bases and we will probably suffer a drain of about 100,000 economically active people in various categories of labour within the next three and a half years. This will indeed make the situation very acute. But it cannot be denied that given a situation like ours, even the best government in the world cannot solve the problem entirely in a few years.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the surplus in next year's Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of $30.28 million, tabled by the Finance Minister for the young Republic, without the loss to any sector of the economy or community, and an overall economic growth of eight per cent in the first nine months of 1967 as compared to a population growth of 2.5 per cent, once again shows a great step forward in the relentless effort to develop our national economy. Sir, this surplus does not fall from the sky. It is the result of careful planning by the Government and the desire to see it through by the Government and the people the employers, the workers and the various communities of the society at large. Sir, our hard work, particularly during the last two years, and the fruitful result that follows give us reason for joy. It has added more confidence to our economy, both internally and internationally. This is an inspiration to us all and we should strengthen it by increasing efforts in the years ahead. For the moment we begin to be complacent, that will be the moment when we begin to dissipate away in this unceasingly turbulent region of the world. Sir, two years ago when independence was forced on us and many people were pessimistic about the future, we were not in despair. Very few people then would have the courage to say that such an achievement could be accomplished in so short a period of time. Sir, today we have proved to the world that, though we are a small State, a determined people, equipped with the proper education and training, and under the impetus and dedicated leadership of our present Government, can, I have' every confidence, lead the march to progress and prosperity and build a non-Communist democratic, socialist nation.”
“It should need more because of the two islands.”
“Can the Minister assure us that they will not be detrimental to the National Youth Leadership Training Institute?”
“Will the Parliamentary Secretary inform this House how many overhead pedestrian bridges have been completed so far in the Republic? Mr Speaker: Mr Sim, that does not come within the ambit of the question on the Order Paper. But if Mr Ho is prepared to answer it, I will let him.”
“The hon. Member for Jalan Kayu has said that there is no Opposition in Parliament. I still see two Front-bench seats belonging to the Barisan Sosialis.”
“That having been said, let us look at and examine the contents of the Report. The quickest way is to look at the last page where the conclusions should be. What do we see on pages 26 and 27? On page 26 is "The Judiciary" and on page 27 is "The Public Service Commission". I would like to ask the Minister, are the Judiciary and the Public Service Commission minority groups? Sir, I dare not criticise the Judges. In fact, the Standing Orders prevent me from doing so. So I will not say more. But if you put the Public Service Commission in the Report, why not the Port of Singapore Authority, the Public Utilities Board or, last but not least, the National Trades Union Congress? Surely, they should be included too. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to pay tribute to the Minister for Law and National Development for his -reasonableness in having taken the trouble to read and accept many of the recommendations of the Commission on matters outside the actual terms of reference of the Commission. 3.23 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, many of my colleagues have spoken in support of the Report of the Constitutional Commission, 1966, but I am unable to share the views of all of them. Sir, I never read law and never had I the chance to do so. I wish to leave the legal aspects to the more highly educated Members of this House to deal with. Sir, as I go through the Report of the Commission, I ask myself whether I am stupid or the Commission has gone out of its way. May I refer to page 1 of the Report - the terms of reference of the Commission? In short - to give recommendations and consider the question of the minorities as to how best their rights can be adequately safeguarded in the Constitution of the Republic. Sir, this House is supposed to have a Report on minority rights, but it has become a Report of the whole Constitution, as the very title itself shows. Mr Speaker, Sir, with the greatest respect to the legal luminaries who signed the Constitution, I say that the correct title should be "The Report of the Constitutional Commission on Minority Rights". I repeat, Sir, " . . on Minority Rights" alone. If the Minister for Law and National Development had required advice on how to write the Constitution, he would have appointed a special Commission for that very purpose. But, Sir, he did not, and I am sure that between him, the Attorney-General and some of the legal Back-benchers, we are well armed to write the Constitution. Sir, what the Government wants to know is how the minorities should be protected - however, I stand to be corrected - because in our cosmopolitan city, there are several racial, religious and linguistic minorities and we are, therefore, concerned to see that the majority will not bully the minorities, or vice versa.”
“But I cannot agree with some of my colleagues who have stated that we should have 50 per cent conscription. I fully agree, however, that we must take joint steps so that our neighbour will not be disturbed by our actions. Sir, it is not enough for 49 out of the 51 Members of this House just simply to pass this amendment Bill, but it is the duty of Members of Parliament and leaders of communities to drive home to the people the importance and value of the implementation of this Bill. Sir, I wish to endorse my wholehearted support of this National Service (Amendment) Bill.”
“I consider this an act of high treason and the Government should take immediate action to smack them down! Sir, this amendment Bill was well received by the people in its First Reading on the 27th of February, 1967, because the masses understand the importance of having our own forces to look after our security and the well-being of this country. We cannot rely on so-called help from our neighbour. We can remember how we have been taught a severe lesson and given bitter treatment by foreign troops during the disturbances in 1964. It is still fresh in my mind and in the minds of all the people of Singapore. I have grounds to substantiate the fact that the people are with the P.A.P. Government. For instance, we launched a campaign for our citizens to join the People's Defence Force and the response was extremely good. They understand and realise what the Government is doing and what they themselves are serving. Sir, it is gratifying to know that the Minister has recognised the important part played by the Vigilante Corps in maintaining the peace and well-being of our State, and its inclusion into this Bill is very encouraging. Sir, I am a little disturbed over the terms of punishment in the Bill. To my mind, this Bill is of paramount importance to the security and survival of the Republic and, as such, the punishment of six months' imprisonment and $2,000 fine is too lenient, because we know that we are not dealing with loyal citizens but with traitors of the State. Sir, when we deal with them, we must deal with them hard! Sir, as many of my colleagues said in this House yesterday and today, we are a very peaceful and happy population. We do not want to build a big army which may disturb or scare our neighbour.”
“Sir, if this National Service (Amendment) Bill were to have been brought up in this House some ten years ago, of course, my colleagues and I would have condemned it bitterly. But the position now is entirely different from that of the old colonial days when we, as nationalists, refused to accept national service under the colonial regime, because we felt that under no circumstances should we serve any foreign colonial master. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.07 p.m. Sir, today Singapore is an independent Republic accepted by more than 110 nations in the United Nations. Today, we are the sons of the soil of this country; we are the masters; we are the owners of this country. All the prosperity and all the good things of life that we enjoy at the moment must never be given away. If we want to keep all these things, we must have efficient security measures in the sense that every citizen must be well trained physically in the handling of weapons and must cultivate a sense of national consciousness, civic-mindedness and social obligations. Sir, when this amendment Bill is passed, the youths will be brought into the services. They will no doubt be instilled with the spirit of comradeship, loyalty, discipline and a love of their nation. Sir, national service is a patriotic duty. No one in his right mind will be against it except the - if I may be permitted to use this word - "traitors" to the nation. The Barisan Sosialis and racialists who owe their loyalty to other countries will oppose national service. As many of my colleagues have said in this House, the Barisan Sosialis will carry out their campaign against this Bill. Sir, they have already started to do this in its Chinese Party organ, the No. 219th issue dated 5th March, 1967.”
“I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang)(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $l00.* (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Inche Rahamat Bin Kenap and Madam Chan Choy Siong.) Mr Speaker, this Ministry plays a very important role in our society and has a heavy responsibility to shoulder, i.e., cultural construction and the social welfare of our country. I shall now endeavour to speak on culture in general. Generally speaking, in the past few years, healthy cultural activities have been flourishing in Singapore, although there has also been some sexy or unhealthy culture.”
“As regards these communal political parties, such as the M.I.C., M.C.A., or U.M.N.O., whose existence no doubt is highly detrimental to the interests of the Republic and to our efforts to create a multi-racial society, I hope the Minister will give this House the assurance that he will deal properly with these unruly elements in our Republic. Sir, I beg to move.”
“Thank you for your guidance. I beg to withdraw. And this poor chap was being threatened and intimidated.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1071. Could the Minister inform this House how many political parties are registered with the Registrar of Societies? What measures is he proposing to take against those communal, political and pro-Communist trade unions and old boys' associations? Sir, this House will agree with me that the existence of these organisations is a tremendous threat to the peace and security of our Republic. For instance, the pro-Communist Barisan Sosialis have chosen to carry on their so-called struggle in the streets, and not in Parliament, with a view to creating riots and chaos, and have resorted to intimidation and threats to our law-abiding citizens. Sir, I want to bring to the notice of the Minister and the Minister of State of Defence that about 40 unruly Barisan members visited my constituency in Pulau Tekong Besar last Saturday and distributed anti-national pamphlets. They visited one of the residents who happened to disagree with their logic and their behaviour. This poor resident was surrounded by these unruly Barisan birds ---”
“In view of the Minister's explanation, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“In one small room Inche Othman Bin Wok: - because they are all run by the same officials - 8.00 p.m.”
“And to acquire the services of coaches from other advanced countries in the field of sports, to offer every encouragement and incentive to local sportsmen, and to help solve the unemployment problem of our local talented sportsmen.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you for your pertinent ruling. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, I call upon the Minister to set up, if it is possible, a Sports Institute to train our local sports talent. An hon. Member: What Council?”
“Sir, I merely want to bring this to the notice of the Minister. Although we have this Sports Promotion Officer, I want the Minister to take another step further and see that all sports promotions do not benefit only a few persons who are supposed to be sports racketeers.”
“I am not able to say that. An hon. Member: He is a public servant. The Chairman: I do not know the person the hon. Member is referring to. I have not heard of these organisations before. But if the person referred to is a public servant, then I must draw the Member's attention to this Standing Order, that he cannot refer to this person's conduct or character, outside his capacity as a public servant.”
“Sir, I am referring to his capacity as a sports official and organiser and not as a civil servant.”
“Sir, without prejudice and reflection on other sports enthusiasts who are always the objects of my admiration, one cannot see the logic of a man manoeuvring as the President of a group of sports organisations whose activities are so diverse - for example, the Singapore Table Tennis Association, the Singapore Amateur Wrestling Association, and the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association are under the leadership of one man. The only common bond among these associations, as far as I can see, is sports and perhaps monetary benefits. These associations are capable of exploiting all sports-loving people. Sir, I know it is difficult for the Minister to reply to what I have just said in the absence of details and facts, but I am quoting this as an example to justify my fear and the anxiety of the majority of our sports-loving public who would undoubtedly like to see whatever donation to any sports association is properly expanded. Further, to support my statement, I would like to point out to the Minister that the three sports organisations under the leadership of one person, I understand, have to pay no less than $100 each as monthly rental for their premises which happen to be the homes of the official or his relatives. In short, these three associations pay not less than $100 a month each for one and the same room under the same roof, and all the financial resources of these three associations are used for his own benefit! Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, I regret to have to deal with this matter at length, but for the benefit of sports in our Republic -”
“The Member for Aljunied had to waste my time! Just now I have said that during recent weeks, we had two international sports meets beginning with GANEFO and later the Fifth Asian Games in Bangkok which is now still in progress. Singapore has the privilege and opportunity to participate in these two meets, and although the results of these games are not up to our expectations, we have at least succeeded in strengthening the fraternal ties with other participating countries and establishing contacts with a lot of new friends. For us, our participation in these two meets is not to win medals, for we have a long way to go to attain the requisite standards of performance at international level. Our participation in these sports meets appeared to be merely that while the players sweated it out in the arena, the officials took it as a vacation or sight-seeing trip! One example is that, apart from the experience gained, our participation in the Twenty-sixth Table Tennis Tournament held in Peking 1961 was not at all exploited, and there appears to be no adequate post-mortem, apart from the meaningless Press statements issued by the Team official on his return. Sir, the source of the problem lies with the leadership of the various sport organisations. We are aware, Mr Speaker, Sir, that there is a personality in Singapore who, by his high-handed manner in dealing with other sports associations by virtue of his position, is regarded by sports-loving people with distaste and as a sports "racketeer". I have sufficient evidence to show the deplorable state of affairs in some sports organisations, particularly in three or four of them which are under the leadership of the same person.”
“No, Sir. I think I will speak a little longer -”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1051. Sir, the well-being of a nation very often is related to the health of her people, and to what extent sports in the countries flourishes is evidenced in the various power bloc nations. Singapore as an independent Republic should regard sports as one of its main concerns. 7.45 p.m. The construction of a Sports Stadium Complex is directed towards the promotion of sports and a future healthy generation, for it is with a healthy mind and body that the next generation will be able to shoulder the task of nation-building and to bring about a society that has social discipline and its own identity. Sir, in recent weeks, there were two international sports meets beginning -”
“In view of our hope of good relationship with the Malaysian Government, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”