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.”
The complete record
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 6 of 7.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2117. Sir, the contribution to the Technical College, Kuala Lumpur, is reduced by $1,400 for the year 1967. This is indeed quite a good sign. But the Minister for Education has stated in this House that most of the students studying in our university and our college are from Malaysia. However, the Malaysian Government has not given any grant to our higher educational body. I think it is high time we did likewise. Should the Minister fail to give a satisfactory answer, I am not going to withdraw my amendment.”
“In view of the explanation by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2116. Sir, it is encouraging to note an increase of $200,000 for the vote for Contribution to Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa. The teachers who are teaching in these classes are teachers by profession during the day. You will agree with me that thousands of H.S.C. or middle school students who have passed their examinations are unemployed at the moment. I am wondering whether the Minister will give this teaching opportunity at the Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa to these people who are badly in need of a job, instead of to these well-paid teachers. I just want to know whether the Minister will consider this suggestion.”
“In view of the explanation, and as the Minister himself is scared that reckless drivers will finish him off, I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi, Mr Teong Eng Siong, and Inche Mahmud Awang - That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0309 be reduced by $100.”
“If the person speaks Mandarin, the tester will be a Mandarin-speaking tester. If he is a Malay, a Malay-speaking tester. This is what has been carried out so far. He says other departments begin work at 9.00 o'clock but this department begins work at 10.00 o'clock. This is not true. Actually the department starts work at 9.00 o'clock, but because arrangements have to be made, it is only within the hour that they can find out whether the people to be tested are present or not. It is because of this that the first car comes out at 10.00 o'clock. Regarding the shortage of testers, I would like to state here that in 1961 there were only 14 testers. It was increased by two in 1962 and then two more in 1965. Next year we will reconsider the position. However that may be, everyone who takes out a provisional licence can be tested after three and a half months from the date of application, so that he can learn to drive well. With regard to the point brought up by the Member for Delta. I would like to say that the testers will be given instructions to be very careful in their testing. Few people are passed by the testers. This is in the interest of road safety in the State. Mr Sim Boon Woo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am only interested in giving the public convenience in their testing. I have the opinion that you have strict but fair testers. I see the Minister is hitting at me that I am irresponsible.”
“I have made personal investigations into the time of driving testing and, to my surprise, the first car to move out for testing is always after 10.00 a.m. This sort of attitude should be corrected at once. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe you know that the number of vehicles is increasing. It means that it is becoming too easy for people to get driving licences. Because of the ease with which they get driving licences, this will affect and endanger our road safety. A few days ago the Vice-Chairman of the Safety First Council was involved in a collision with a police officer's car. If the Vice-Chairman of the Safety First Council could be so unsafe, how do you expect members of the public to be safe on the road? The reason may well be that perhaps these two persons were trying to give way to other drivers who were lacking in driving experience and who had got their driving licences recently. If that is the case with most of the applicants for driving licences, then it would be a great hazard to road safety. Therefore, I hope that the testers will pay greater attention to and exercise more stringent care in the issue of driving licences to people undergoing a driving test. Otherwise, even if we have more Safety First Councils, we may not be able to maintain safety on the road. In connection with the provision of 18 testers, I hope all of them will be more stringent in testing applicants and maintain a good standard before driving licences are issued to these applicants in order to safeguard road safety. Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Changi has mentioned about testers who do not know Mandarin. Actually nine out of the 14 testers do know Mandarin. So this question does not arise. There will be more opportunities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0309 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1016+. (+ The same amendment also stood in the name of Madam Chan Choy Siong.) Sir, under this subhead I notice that there are only 18 driving testers and 2 senior driving testers to deal with hundreds of people who are due for their driving tests every day. If there are no absentees from driving testers due to illness or otherwise, an approximate number of 160 people will be tested every day. Apart from these 160 people, there are about 120 people who are present there every morning trying their luck in the ballot to have their driving test, and only three to five people will be lucky enough to have their test, leaving the others disappointed. Even these three to five people are confronted with difficulties. If they are Mandarin-speaking, they are likely to be turned away. The reason given is that there are no Mandarin-speaking testers. Sir, from what I know, there are about eight to nine Mandarin-speaking testers in the Driving Testing Department. Why cannot the administrative side allot the testing fairly just to avoid disappointing the people who wish to be tested? Another point I wish to bring to the Minister of State's attention is that there is really an acute shortage of testers nowadays. A person who has failed in his first test will have to wait for three months for a retest. Therefore, I strongly urge the Minister to increase the number of testers to cope with the situation. Sir, there is another point. I think all Government departments start work at 9.00 o'clock in the morning. I stand to be corrected if I am wrong.”
“It may not be the intention of the Finance Minister to add another burden to the lower income group just to get an additional revenue of $1.8 million. But the fact is that with such a fall in the income of this lower income group, there will be less butter and bread for their families. Sir, how can the desired standard of living be maintained in such a state? With his wide experience and knowledge of economics, the Finance Minister could have easily found alternative means to raise the additional revenue of $1.8 million from sources such as luxury products, e.g., whisky and brandy, which all the rich men drink and not the poorer men, instead of increasing this driving fee licence. Sir, all in all, I think the 1967 Budget is a very sound one and I wish to congratulate the Finance Minister.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am standing here to give a little bouquet to the Finance Minister, not like my colleague, the hon. Member for Bras Basah, who is giving him additional grey hairs with his speech! The second budget of the independent Republic of Singapore presented by the Hon. Minister for Finance in the House on 5th December marks a better and brighter future for our national economy. Sir, it is also gratifying to note that he has presented a surplus budget in this House at a time when quite a number of developing countries are having a deficit budget session at this moment. To a newly independent, stable and progressive society like ours, such a fiscal policy adopted by the Finance Minister would encourage more economic activity, and the investment is beneficial to our initial stage of industrial development. The 1967 Budget not only gives the public a sense of economic stability and prosperity, but also a sense of security and survival of our country in this turbulent part of the world. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, it would be a sound and efficient fiscal policy for our budget next year if it was not for the increase of driving licence fees. This affects all driving licence holders. Furthermore, it directly affects the wage earners and lower income group. The rich will not mind this increase, but the poor and the lower income group, like those who earn a living as irregular or part-time drivers, will experience a corresponding fall in their income. Therefore, they will be shouldering an additional burden. As a result, Sir, the very poor and lower income group seems to pay a somewhat larger proportion of their income than the middle and upper income class groups.”
“I beg to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1110 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2001. Sir, this House is asked to approve a sum of $122,000 for emergency repairs to the City Hall building and urgent extensive repairs to buildings of ex-Federal departments which were left in a state of neglect when Singapore was part of Malaysia. When we were a part of Malaysia, we paid 40 per cent of our national income to the then Malaysian Central Government. Sir, until I received the Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1966, as contained in Paper Cmd. 28 of 1966, I was under the impression that the ex-Federal departments were well maintained by the then Malaysian Government. They had been paid 40 per cent of our national income for the purposes of maintaining all the departments under their care. Sir, you may agree with me that repairs to the buildings of ex-Federal departments could have been done by the Central Government during the Malaysian period. Some of the expenditure involved should have been taken from this 40 per cent, instead of which this House is now asked to approve an additional sum for repairs. In view of this, could the Minister concerned make an effort to claim back the cost of the repairs so that this money could be spent on other projects which could benefit our people? Sir, I beg to move.”
“Just now the Minister of State has stated that there are 20 driving testers. Why is it that only one particular tester is being boycotted by the driving instructors and why are the other 19 not boycotted? What is the reason for it? Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, the answer is simple. If a person is firm, then he becomes unpopular; but if he is flexible, then he will be liked by all. TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ZEBRA CROSSINGS 19. Inche Rahamat Bin Kenap asked the Minister of State (Prime Minister's Department) if he will consider (a) the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Geylang Road, Changi Road and Joo Chiat Road, in view of the traffic jams at that junction at peak hours; and (b) the establishment of a zebra crossing at Changi Road in front of the Geylang Serai Vocational School. Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is intended to re-install traffic lights at the junction of Geylang Road/Changi Road/Joo Chiat Road. It is hoped the traffic lights will be installed before the end of the year. It is not proposed to place a zebra crossing at Changi Road in front of the Geylang Serai Vocational School as the continual crossing of pedestrians will affect the flow of traffic considerably, in view of the wide stretch of the road. However, the construction of a pedestrian overhead bridge across Changi Road, opposite Changi market, is under consideration. 3.29 p.m.”
“Can the Minister tell this House why is it that this is a complaint of the Driving Testers' Association and not an individual complaint? I would ask the Minister to inform this House whether he will take into consideration the complaints of this Association? Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has received the complaints referred to by the hon. Member just now, but we must judge the complaints on their merits. It is because the nature of the complaints is general that my Ministry has no alternative but to turn down the allegation made by the Association.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Finance has informed the House of Singapore's share of the reserves in the Joint Currency Board. Will this sum form the reserves of our own new currency issue?”
“The workers and their bosses must give first-class service to the public. I think this House will agree with me that many of these buses are driven along the roads in a very careless manner and they endanger the lives of the people. Therefore, it does not mean that this Bill will protect the bosses of bus companies and taxi owners and they can do whatever they like. They must co-operate and give efficient and satisfactory service to our people. Sir, I wish to support the Bill.”
“I would also like to congratulate the Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Department on this amendment Bill. I think this Chamber will agree with me that law and order must be kept, as the Minister of State has stated just now. I must also very highly commend him on taking into consideration the question of regularising pirate taxis which carry school children to school. Mr Speaker, Sir, this regularisation will give confidence to parents who are concerned with the safety of their children while going to and from school. This is a good effort. But I would like the Minister to enlighten me on whether the regularisation of these pirate taxis carrying school children will include, as passengers, members of the public, such as clerks, manual workers and odd job workers. As you know, it is a recognised fact in the whole world that our housing estates are expanding, whether it is by the Housing and Development Board or by private developers and we have to consider that the number of buses running on the road is not enough for our increasing population. Sir, my suggestion is that we must include in this licence workers like teachers and others. I fully agree that curbing these pirate taxis will naturally ease our traffic problem. Sir, as I have said just now, with the increase in population, the shortage of transport and so on, only 300 additional taxi licences will be given. Sir, we think there are about 7,000 pirate taxis running in Singapore. As the Member for Delta has said just now, if we take away something, we must substitute something for it. Therefore, I sincerely urge the Minister to consider this point. At the same time, I must warn that amending the Ordinance does not mean that we are protecting the bosses of bus companies and taxi owners.”
“Not moving. The Chairman: Amendment (11) is not proceeded with. Amendment (l2)*, standing in the name of Mr Sim. *Amendments (12), which also stood in the name of Mr.Lim Cheng Lock, reads as follows: That the total sum to be allocated for Head D 08 to be reduced by $100.”
“In view of the explanation given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development that everything will be considered - and I hope that everything will be put in hand shortly - I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.”
“This road is now in a very bad condition and cannot be made use of especially during the rainy season. I hope the Minister concerned will give special consideration to the making up of this road as soon as possible. Sir, I beg to move.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, last year's vote for this item was $490,000, and this year we have a vote of $700,000. The increase of $210,000 for the development of agricultural and kampong roads next year shows that the present Government is stepping up its efforts to give kampong people better road facilities next year. It has always been the Government's policy to provide the same facilities not only to the urban areas but also to the rural areas. Sir, I wonder whether the Minister will give priority to the making up of the following roads in my constituency. They are: Jalan Saksama, Jalan Greja, Siak Kuan Road, Main Road at Pulau Tekong Besar and Jalan Darat Nanas. Jalan Darat Nanas, I think, should be given immediate attention, because the compound of Changi Prison is now fenced and declared a protected area. There is a kampong behind the prison called Kampong Darat Nanas, and more than a hundred houses are situated there. The people make use of Jalan Awan which is in the compound of Changi Prison for getting into the kampong. They have been making use of this road for more than 25 years. Now that the prison compound is fenced, there is no other through road, and this is very inconvenient for the kampong folks, especially the school children. Sir, I wrote a letter to the Chairman of the U.R.S.C. dated 15th of July, 1965, and something was done to level up the reserve road, i.e. Jalan Darat Nanas, for which I must be thankful. Sir, two months have elapsed and this road has become inaccessible due to pot-holes caused by heavy rain. Therefore, I shall be extremely grateful if the Minister could look into this matter with great urgency. Sir, about 3,000 to 4,000 people in Pulau Tekong Besar are making use of the only road in the pulau.”
“Mr Speaker, this is not a matter of the U.R.S.C. The U.R.S.C. has given this work to the P.W.D., and therefore the P.W.D. has to carry it out. This is not a matter of my being a member of the U.R.S.C. This is a different matter - a case of the P.W.D. and the U.R.S.C. What I want to know is, when will this work commence?”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary, how long this consideration will last and when the work will start.”
“Sir, my complaint is a minor one. In my constituency, I would say that for the last 10 months, the filling up of the junction of Tanah Merah Kechil and Changi Road has not been done although I was told by the Urban and Rural Services Committee that the work has been given to the Public Works Department. Nothing has been done so far, and therefore I would like the Minister concerned to pay more attention to these projects. Sir, I beg to move.”
“What I want to give credit for is this; little has been announced to the public that such work has been carried out by this Department, and I simply want this to be recorded, Sir, but ---”
“Sir, besides the design, planning and construction of new works and buildings mentioned above, the Department is responsible for the maintenance of public roads, bridges, drains, Government buildings, offices, quarters, Civil Airport, street lights, sewerage works, septic tanks, etc. Sir, some of the major works done by the Public Works Department, which I think are worthy of mention,are very big projects costing millions of dollars. Braddell Road, for instance - the construction and the realignment of this road into a dual-carriageway is completed except for a short section for a foot-path and cycle tracks. It costs approximately $2 million. Bartley Road, Ayer Rajah Road, West Coast Road, Clementi Road Bridge, Dunman Road Bridge, Sungei Padang Bridge, Sungei Bang Kuang Bridge, Tanglin Halt Bridge. Some of the major drainage is also constructed by the Public Works Department in conjunction with the flood alleviation schemes; Rochore Canal lining and tide gates. Opera Estate outlet drain, Geylang River concrete lining costing about $1� million.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1109 be reduced by $100. Sir, due credit must be given to the Public Works Department for having carried out the policies of the Government faithfully in providing all the good things of life for our people, and, at the same time, they are responsible for beautifying our city to attract tourists. Sir, to many people the Public Works Department is merely associated with the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and drains. Little do they realise the other varied and diverse functions of this important department. In fact, there are little government activities which do not in one way or another involve the Public Works Department. Some of the important functions of the department can be summarised as follows: The design, planning and construction of roads, drainage schemes and bridges, extension of the Airport runway, the design, planning and construction of sewerage schemes such as the extension of Kim Chuan Road Sewerage Disposal Works, extension of main and minor sewers to bring in more areas under modern sanitation, the new sewerage scheme for the Toa Payoh satellite town, the design and the construction of Government buildings, such as new Government offices, schools, hospitals, clinics, post offices, police stations, housing for Government employees, warehouses, jetties, fountains, etc., building of multi-storeyed car parks, underground car park, Airport Terminal Building, abbatoir, Ministry of Education Headquarters, etc., etc.”
“Yes. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Mr Sim Boon Woo and Inche Mahmud Awang --- That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $100.”
“Mr Speaker, the point that I raised was a point which I know from the penghulus from my constituency. And as far as I can gather from the hon. Member for the Southern Islands, the penghulus do all the work and they do not have any extra earnings from the islands. Therefore, I am urging this House to consider whether a considerable increment can be given to complement their allowances.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2183. Sir, I have come to understand that the penghulus receive an allowance of $50 a month and the ketuas receive an allowance of $35 a month. These allowances given to the penghulus and the ketuas of the islands are, in my opinion, insufficient. Sir, the penghulus and ketuas act as liaison officers between the Government departments and the islanders. As far as I know, the work of the penghulus and ketuas is that they bring the islanders to the Government offices to pay house assessments, property tax, changing and applying for identity cards, birth certificates, death certificates, and so on. A penghulu from Pulau Tekong, that is from my constituency, will, for example, spend $2 as launch fare to Changi Point and back. Another $1.50 is spent on bus fare from Changi Point to the City and back to Changi Point. And perhaps a few cups of tea or coffee and lunch will cost him, say, about $1. Sir, since the expenditure incurred by the penghulus and ketuas in carrying out their official duties is considerably high, I wonder how much the penghulus and ketuas from the Southern Islands will have to spend. Therefore, I would suggest that the allowances for the penghulus and ketuas be given considerable increment. Sir, my argument is that since the pro-Communist Barisan Sosialis M.P.s can be paid a tax-free allowance of $500 each to fight our own people, I think it is fair that the penghulus and the ketuas who are working for the interests of the people should be paid a little bit more. Sir, I beg to move.”
“I also withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I share the same view as the Member for Kampong Kembangan on the matter of public assistance, as I am facing the same difficulties with the voters in my constituency. I would like to add that in my constituency there are fishermen living in Bedok, Padang Terbakar, Mata Ikan, Ayer Gemuroh, Kampong Changi, Pulau Tekong Besar and Pulau Ubin who are affected by the imposition of the off-shore curfew due to the Indonesian confrontation. Sir, all of them have registered for public assistance, but not many of them have been entertained by the Social Welfare Department. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to this matter, and I hope he will be able to enlighten this House on the measures he proposes to implement for assisting these poor fishermen. Secondly, I would like the Minister also to inform this House that if an applicant for public assistance has two wives, whether both of them will be included in the assessment of public assistance allowance. Sir, I beg to move.”
“(5) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2063.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have heard discussions on film-goers in Singapore, films censored in Singapore and those barred from film going in Singapore. I have never been a frequent cinema-goer, so I do not know what is going on in the cinemas. But what I would suggest is that we should have a movement for a healthy culture - healthy dances and dramas and so on - to compete with the so-called not-so-good culture or a bit yellowish culture, which hon. Members have mentioned. I quite agree that we should uphold the good name of our citizens. Therefore, I urge every one of us to show some responsibility and try to inculcate in our citizens a better sense of culture by organising and helping our people to organise themselves and compete with what we call yellow culture.”
“Under such conditions, there would be no problems for women. Now that we have achieved independence, we must give due respect and due weight to the possible contribution that women are capable of making towards nation-building. This, of course, requires encouragement from the Government, and the Government is duty bound to give women all kinds of assistance and facilities to help them make their contribution towards nation-building. I think that, with the establishment of a Women's Institute, we will be able to unite women of all races under one organisation, to study the problems of women, and to advance their interests so as to enable them to contribute towards nation-building and to tell them what they can do for our country. In this connection, I hope the Minister concerned will give due consideration to my request for immediate steps to be taken for the establishment of a Women's Institute which is, in fact, urgently needed at the present moment. Another point I wish to raise, Mr Speaker, concerns the Commercial Service under the Ministry of Culture. Mr Speaker, the Chinese-educated people read the Chinese newspapers every day and see a lot of advertisements and news items relating to advertising. I think it is the policy of the Government to stop yellow culture and all material relating to it. The Government has in the past done and up to the present is doing and I think will in future do all it can to stop the growth of yellow culture. I notice that a great deal of attention ---”
“The Women's Charter goes a step forward in safeguarding the position of equality of women with men, and the status of women in society has also been clarified and established, particularly in the field of economics. They are given equal pay for equal work, irrespective of their sex. We have given women a status equal to that of men. A few months after the passage of the Women's Charter, the former Minister for Finance took steps to see that women civil servants were given equal pay for equal work in all the Government Departments. Furthermore, steps have also been taken to alleviate the burden of working wives arising out of their great number of children. Sir, ever since we came to power, many, many creches have been set up throughout the island of Singapore in order to look after the children of working women. All these steps have been taken in the interest of women, and we are happy to note that throughout the island many creches are available for use by working wives. Concerning some young girls who have been `misled', the Social Welfare Department has also taken steps to solve their problem. As a result, this problem is not so serious now. In fact, the number of young girls indulging in immoral activities has decreased, and they are no longer posing a problem in our society. However, I wish to point out that in spite of all these achievements and attention given to women's welfare, the Government does not seem to have done much with the plan for the establishment of a Women's Institute. We all know that Singapore is now independent. We also know that in the past it was said that we intended to set up a society in which there was no exploitation of man by man, so that socialism will be established and its principles carried out to the fullest extent.”
“Mr Speaker, everything has been said about the racialist political Parties, but I wonder whether the Minister is aware that the anti-national pro-Communist Barisan registration is in his hands. I am asking whether he is in a position to cancel the registration of the Barisan Sosialis, as they are not interested in this House and in the welfare even of their own few constituencies which voted them. I think it is fair that the Minister should cancel their registration no more Barisan Sosialis and no more Communists. You know, butcher them! Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): I wish to raise two points, Mr Speaker. One point relates to my request to the Minister for an answer concerning the establishment of a Women's Institute to study the problems of women and to give facilities for the study of such problems; and to ask the Minister for the date when this Women's Institute will be established. This is because women's problems are very important and our Party - that is, the People's Action Party - made some mention of giving facilities for the solution of such problems in 1959 when the Party first came to power. At that time, we made a promise to the people of Singapore that when the Party came to power we would pay special attention to the general problems of women. Since we came to power, several years have elapsed. I am glad to note, however, that with the co-operation of our Party colleagues, many promises have been kept. For example, the Government has already made it a policy to safeguard the interests of women by having the Women's Charter passed to look after their welfare.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to associate myself with the hon. Member for Punggol and the Member for Kampong Kembangan for the same complaint that I wish to lodge in this House. Sir, no one can deny that the health facilities in our country are one of the best in South-East Asia, for the cleanliness of roads and so on. Sir, owing to the increase in the population of our country, I would like to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Minister to the fact that not only in my constituency, but also in many other constituencies, there is a great need for additional labourers to clean kampong roads, to remove rubbish and to clean drains, etc. This not only applies to our main island, but also applies to pulaus, the Southern Islands, Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin in my constituency. If we can recruit more of these labourers, I think we can look after the cleanliness of the kampongs much better. Sir, another point which the hon. Member for Punggol has mentioned just now is about mosquito breeding in the rural areas. I too support his complaint. I would suggest that the Minister step up the anti-mosquito measures so that the Ministry can concentrate more in the rural areas rather than in town areas, because mosquitoes usually breed in rural areas where we get pig sties, poultry, pot-holes and ponds in the rural areas. Therefore, I urge the Ministry concerned to take more measures especially in the rural areas and the pulaus in Singapore. Sir, I beg to move.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Thank you for your pertinent advice, Sir. Perhaps they were voted to be the Opposition, and even then they are unable to carry out their duties properly. What a shame, Mr Speaker! They must remember that this money is coming from the people. By shirking their responsibility in boycotting this Parliament, I am sure we, the people, come not to praise them but to bury them and we are not obliged to pay them. Sir, I would suggest that no public funds should be wasted on people who are irresponsible, unscrupulous, anti-national and not interested in the welfare of the people. Sir, I beg to move.”
“and in helping, wittingly or unwittingly, the pro-imperialist P.A.P. to deceive the people with all its deceptive talk of parliamentary democracy, would have lent credence and support to the phoney independence of Singapore.' Sir, if it is true that the P.A.P. really confuse and deceive the people, and if the Barisan Sosialis are really or genuinely responsible birds and have the interest of the people at heart, then they should come forward and express their views in this House. Instead they have chosen to run away from the open argument and dare not face the truth. The whole trouble with them is that they can never be voted to form the Government because the people know that they are a useless lot and have no ability to govern. So perhaps these Barisan birds -”
“' Sir, in another paragraph in the same issue of the Plebeian, at page 8, it is stated:- `At the most it is a forum of criticism of the Government, for ventilation of grievances and for the extraction of information. This revealed that the central power does not lie in the House of Commons as commonly believed.' Sir, the pro-Communist Barisan Sosialis have clearly stated here that this House is not important at all, and that it is only a forum for political propaganda and nothing much could be done in this House. They have gone to the extent of saying that they even do not wish this House to exist. Therefore, this speaks for itself - that the Barisan Sosialis want to turn Singapore into a Communist State based on the bible of Karl Marx. They do not want a democratic system to prevail in Singapore. So the boycott is one way to attain their political aims. It is simple logic that once they boycott this Parliament, it will be more admirable for them to "boycott" the $500 tax-free allowance too. The Barisan Sosialis have claimed time and again that they are the only angels that represent the people of Singapore. But by their boycotting of this Session, it has cast a shadow of doubt on whether they are really or genuinely representing the people. If not, they must submit to the fact that they are nothing but the representatives of the poorly butchered Partai Komunis Indonesia. May I refer again to another paragraph of the Plebeian, dated December 1965, page 12, which states as follows:- `The P.A.P. hopes to use the parliamentary Session to confuse and deceive the people with its propaganda, distortions, lies and fabrications. In the circumstances, attending the coming parliamentary Session in Singapore would mean giving support and respectability to the P.A.P.”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0103 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2009. Sir, the basic duty of Members of Parliament is to represent the voice of the people who elected them to this Chamber. As a good Opposition, the Barisan Sosialis Members of Parliament are responsible for giving concrete criticisms and suggestions with a view to assisting the Government in discharging its duties. As a reward all Members of Parliament, including the Opposition Members, are given $500 tax-free allowance. If there is no parliamentary democracy, there will be no such allowance for anybody. Since Members have the privilege of receiving such allowances, it is also their responsibility to serve the people as genuine Parliamentarians. Sir, the policy adopted by the Barisan Sosialis to boycott this Session of Parliament is utterly an insult as well as a challenge to the whole process of parliamentary democracy. I would like to substantiate this because what I have said is nothing but the truth. I would like to quote the organ of the Barisan Sosialis, the Plebeian Express dated mid-December 1965. Page 5 of the Plebeian Express states here:- `In the middle of the last century, the House of Commons was a centre of real political power where important decisions on policy and legislation were made. Since those days the growth in the power of the Cabinet based on development of the modern party system has brought about a fundamental change. The House continues to occupy the centre of political stage but merely for propaganda purposes. It has long ceased to be the centre of political power.”
“In view of the wide range and large amount of work they have to do, the Government is expanding the size of the police force. The two riots that happened last year would not have been handled by unpopular and violent armed forces had we had our own police force strong enough to cope with the situation. Sir, this is also a painful lesson - that we must trust nobody but ourselves in case of emergency. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to call upon this House to give full approval of the 1966 Budget which has been well received by the public since its presentation. Sir, the whole nation has expressed its confidence in entrusting its future to the hands of the People's Action Party Government. And I am sure, if nothing goes wrong with the behaviour of the civil servants in serving the people efficiently and cordially, then the bringing about of a more just and equal multi-racial society will be realised sooner than we expected. 4.28 p.m.”
“It is high time for us to prepare and to start doing something. Sir, that is why the Government decides to spend about $70 million on security and defence. Compared with our contribution to the former Malaysian Central Government for their expenditure on our security and defence, which is 40 per cent of our State revenue, we spend much less now. We must establish and keep small armed forces strong enough for defence purpose. We never want to, and can never, invade other countries. We want to be friendly with all countries, East and West. But we do not want to be molested. Although we are a small nation, we will show the world that we want to be left alone. The Government should take pains to explain to our people our position. We must not underestimate the influence of the traditional attitude towards enlistment, especially among the Chinese community. We must also not expect ordinary people to understand the details of the Government statement published in the local Press. More publicity, especially direct contacts between Government leaders and the people, are required to arouse the interest of our people in joining the Volunteer Army Forces. Sir, a small State like ours, to maintain social order and internal security, is no less important than keeping out aggressors. Singapore shares the common problem that all cosmopolitan cities in the world face. We have to fight social evils and crime which find their hot-bed in heavily populated cities. We are fortunate enough to have a very efficient police force. The number of secret society incidents has rapidly decreased since 1959. This is a clear reflection on the effectiveness of our police force. Sir, our police force has also a duty to check and curb subversive activities of a political, racial, or religious nature.”
“It is in the schools where they learn to create a multi-racial society. Considering this sacred task of nation-building burdened by our education programme, it is more than justified for the Government to put such a big amount of public funds at the disposal of the Minister for Education. Sir, incidentally, I recall the Government's intention to introduce a new measure on the study of a second language. It is decided that the study of a second language, other than the medium of instruction, will be made compulsory in all secondary schools, and instruction will begin with Secondary I in 1966. I can foresee the day when there is no language barrier between the component races of our society. Making our younger generation well versed in at least two languages is the most practical and surest way to ensure the successful creation of a multi-racial society. Mr Speaker, Sir, the last, but not the least important point I want to touch on is the problem of defence and security of our country. As all of us know, all the good things now in our possession and those which are expected in future are only real and true within the framework of peace and order. This is why we have been relying on British forces for the safety of our lives and property. All the world, except Indonesia and the pro-communist Barisan Sosialis, has not denied us the right to survive and the right to protect ourselves. But as an independent non-aligned nation, we cannot justify ourselves if we keep British forces on our territory forever, not to mention that the British Government might take the initiative to withdraw its bases one day due to financial difficulties or other reasons. Therefore, we must look ahead to the day when we have to rely on ourselves.”
“Therefore, it will be a great loss for the nation if the fair sex confine themselves to their kitchens. Sir, when I say "fair sex", I mean the fair sexes of all races - Chinese, Malays, Indians and so on. And the best way to encourage them to contribute their share in nation-building is to let their incomes be assessed separately from their husbands. It is also wise for the Government to re-impose the upper tax of 55 per cent on personal incomes of $100,000 or more, on the principle that the heavier burden of taxation should be borne by those best able to hear it. This is a principle to bring about a more just and equal society. Another point I wish to touch on is education. The present Government's education policy is to promote the four streams of languages. The estimated expenditure allotted to education next year amounts to $129 million out of the total expenditure estimate of $506 million. In other words, it is about one-quarter of the total expenditure. Besides, there is a sum of $28 million for development purposes of the Ministry. The fact that education consumes the greatest part of our revenue is our tradition, a tradition treasured by a responsible government. In some countries of the world today, the greatest part of the government's revenue goes to buying and producing arms and ammunition and the maintenance of strong armed forces. In this respect, we are considered lucky, for we have a government which spends more money on building more schools and training more teachers. Sir, in a nation like ours, where the social structure is a multi-racial one, education has a more important part to play. It is in the schools where our younger generation learn to live with one another irrespective of race, colour, language and creed.”
“These are methods to safeguard the interests of our citizens and our prosperity. Mr Speaker, Sir, as you know, the terrific influx of unskilled workers from the other side of the Causeway since Malaysia Day, and particularly since the independence of Singapore, and the expectation of a worse situation in the near future, has forced the Government to take these steps. Otherwise, the unemployment problem will deteriorate; the present prosperity will be jeopardised: and the Government's Second Five-Year Plan will be killed in the bud. However, Sir, in dealing with this problem, which is rather a delicate one, the Government should take care to see that the feeling of the masses over the other side of the Causeway will not be hurt too much. We should always show our sympathy, not only sympathy but also give spiritual strength and encouragement to them. We must see that our actions do not endanger the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries, especially their high esteem towards us. Mr Speaker, Sir, the next thing I wish to mention is the introduction of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill which repeals the unsatisfactory practice of the former Central Government. The people in general, and the fair sex in particular, must rejoice at this offer of the Government. One of the signs by which the extent of development of a country is judged is the percentage of women employees in the total working force. It is true that the more women are engaged in nation building, the more advanced the country is. As a matter of fact, there are very few jobs which cannot be handled by women with equal efficiency as compared with men, in fact, Sir, there are many jobs which are monopolised by them.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your pertinent ruling. I wish to say, in passing, that this will not affect our expenditure in bringing about prosperity to our country. Mr Speaker, as you know, the terrific -”
“5 million involved in the Government's intention to change identity cards and the $55,000 which will be involved in the expenditure on work permits. I think it is worth mentioning Government's intention to issue new -”
“Sir, the Government does not neglect entrep�t trade in its Budget Estimates. This is proof that the Government has recognised and appreciated the traditional role and contribution of entrep�t trade to the economy of Singapore. In fact, before we become a truly industrialised State, we must still depend mainly on entrep�t trade for our prosperity. It is wise for the Government to create a free trade zone to promote and facilitate entrep�t trade. I can see that for many years to come, entrep�t trade will be parallel with industry as two essential life vessels of our economy. Singapore has a natural geographical position which is most favourable for trade, and it is this superb geographical position that makes Singapore the fifth largest port in the world. We must not, at any cost, surrender this natural gift, let alone give it up of our own accord. Sir, the abundant harvest of the Singapore Goodwill Mission led by the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister who returned recently from a tour of Afro-Asian and East European countries, is an example of what this type of mission can do to help boost our trade with the world, especially those countries where industries are still in their infancy. I hope the Government will send more missions, especially trade missions, abroad, as frequently as possible, within the capacity of our limited resources. This is as important as imposing protective tariffs to help the growth of our industries. Meanwhile, the Government should encourage the organisation of unofficial commercial missions and give them maximum convenience and assistance. Semi-official missions where Government officials and merchants combine will, in my opinion, bring greater results. Sir, I would like to touch on the $1.”