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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“Members of the House must be aware of the consistent policy of the Government on the other side of the Causeway aiming at smothering our infant industries out of sheer feminine jealousy. This same jealousy had caused the eviction of Singapore from the Federation. Mr Speaker, Sir, anybody with an average I.Q. will know that this cold war of economy between the two Governments will do no good to both parties, although we are convinced that Singapore will suffer less, if any at all, in the long run. It is in this respect that I, and the people at large, surely, welcome the Hon. Minister for Finance's pledge that he is willing at any moment to meet the Malaysian representatives to discuss the issue of economic co-operation on the basis of mutual benefit. And I also hope that the Malaysian Government will review its policy and will not reject our friendly offer on no sounder ground than mere jealousy. The leaders of the Alliance Government should no longer be under the illusion that Singapore will suffer more. They should not calculate the extent they can hurt Singapore, but how much they will benefit from mutual co-operation. I also applaud the Government's lifting of certain taxes which were imposed by the former Central Government and which had been the target of a nation-wide criticism. With all the favourable conditions now, there is sufficient reason to anticipate the success of our industrialisation projects, and with this success, we would be able to find enough jobs every year for the school-leavers who are expected to enter the labour market. If we are to succeed in bringing about a more just and equal society in terms of employment for all, then we cannot afford to fail in our industrialisation.”
“In fact, we expected to lose 8.7 per cent in our national income as a result of this economic war, but we have managed to show a net increase of 2 per cent. This is amazing. And again, in 1964 when confrontation reached its height, the gross capital formation represents an increase of 28 per cent over 1963. While the average rate of annual income increase during the pre-confrontation years, i.e., from 1959 to 1963, is only 22 per cent. And notwithstanding the confrontation, the value of external trade also showed an increase of no small percentage. Considering the important part played by entrepot trade in the economy of Singapore and the amount of trade we had with Indonesia before the formation of Malaysia, this achievement of the people of Singapore is a near miracle. If the nation can and does survive and prosper under the gravest trial it has ever experienced, we have no reason to doubt its ability to continue to survive and prosper hereafter, whether there is confrontation of one type or another. Sir, the second point which I think is significant is that the Government has taken or decided to take protective measures to safeguard our growing industries. Considering the role, especially in future, of industries in ensuring our prosperity and the high standard of living, it is justifiable for the Government to take whatever steps are necessary for the growth of our industries. One of the steps is the imposition of customs duties on some imported goods, especially those which the domestic industries have been able or prepared to manufacture. I understand that this is primarily a reply to the unfriendly action of the Malaysian Government. Hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, nothing is a better and more practical New Year present to the 1.8 million people of Singapore than the 1966 Budget Estimates presented by the Hon. Minister for Finance. The budget, as a whole, has won the confidence and trust of our people, to whom this House is responsible, in the effort and ability of the present Government to create a more prosperous, more just and more equal society. The hazards and difficulties accompanying the sudden political changes, namely, Singapore's separation from Malaysia and its emergence as an independent sovereign nation, have proved to be not so formidable as expected. The panic of some people over the future of Singapore, with its limited space and resources, as a country independent of others, has turned out to be only a temporary nightmare. Everything has turned out fine after four crucial months have elapsed, and the majority of our people are now confident not only in the physical survival of Singapore as a nation, but also in the emergence of a more prosperous multi-racial society. The Budget Estimates of next year have strengthened this belief. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to point out several things which the Government have achieved or have decided to accomplish in the coming years, and which gives me grounds for my optimism in the future of the new State. First of all, it is the Indonesian confrontation that convinces me of the ability and the capacity of Singapore to survive and prosper. The people at large, except for a small number of anti-national elements, rejoice at the fact that despite the ordeal of Indonesian confrontation for over two long years, Singapore has been able, not only to overcome the loss resulting from the severance of trade, but also to show an increase in our national income.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join my colleagues here who have made many suggestions and criticisms on the National Registration Bill. Clause 16 (3) reads as follows: `No woman shall be searched under this section except by a woman.' Mr Speaker, Sir, in order that there should be equality, I suggest that no man shall be searched under this section except by a man. Otherwise, Mr Speaker, it would be very embarrassing for a woman to search a man! 5.55 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I can see here, $122,526 was spent in building hawkers' pitches in the following area: Tanjong Rhu Estate, Alexandra Hill Estate, Kallang Airport Estate, Bukit Ho Swee Estate. According to the hon. Member for Mountbatten, some of the hawkers' pitches have not been used. If there is any plan in the Hawkers Department to provide pitches in the rural area so as to counter the unauthorised stalls which have been erected all over the rural area, I would suggest, if possible, that these pitches be erected in a quite compact area so as to assist the hawkers in the rural area too. I shall be obliged if the Minister will enlighten me on this point.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the question of taxi-drivers made by the Member for Bras Basah. The fines on taxi-drivers are too heavy, but they are necessary. Just yesterday as I was driving very slowly out of this Parliament House the driver of a taxi, whose number I had taken down, could not contain his patience but kept on hooting his horn and he overtook from the left-hand side of my car. Mr Speaker, Sir, this is the sort of taxi-driver that should be punished. I am only stressing on such reckless drivers. But those who are constantly careful in their driving and earning their living properly should be given consideration, but not all taxi-drivers. At the same time, if taxi-drivers park their vehicles anywhere they like and go against traffic lights, and so on - I think the number of vehicles in Singapore is about 103,000, if I am correct - if this sort of uncontrolled traffic is allowed to go on in Singapore, I think the lives of you, Mr Speaker, and Members of Parliament will be in danger. Lay, and order must be preserved. I therefore urge that all taxi-drivers be a hit more careful in future. If the police are able to curb pirate taxis which are competing with taxis, then I am sure that this complex problem will be solved. Therefore, the fines on taxi-drivers should be imposed according to the nature of the offence.”
“We must also go a step further to crush their intrigues. Let them find out that they are only the children of Satan. We want to brandish our sword of justice and cut them down, root and all. Our feelings can be said to be the continuation of the feelings which we had on the 9th of August. In the four months past we have been prepared to face them. We are ready for the battle to meet the traitors to this country. The policy speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara shows our determination. At the same time, it also shows that we are fully prepared to accept the onerous task put on us by the people. We fully believe that such a tiny thing, like the Barisan Sosialis, however it may struggle, cannot withstand the collective attack by the people. The policy speech by His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara merits our highest respect and gratitude. We want to show our determination to go according to this policy speech and advance forward firmly in order to bring to fruition the future we have in mind, which will be a golden, shining era. The record of the P.A.P.'s achievements has been one of victory to victory - from one glorious era marching towards another more glorious era. But the record of the Barisan Sosialis is one of going to hell, from the 16th floor onto the 17th floor of hell, and further from the 17th floor onto the 18th floor of hell. Mr Speaker, Sir, here I would like to express my support to the Motion by the Prime Minister. 5.39 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as our country is holding its first parliamentary sitting today, we are going through various feelings - the same feelings which we had on the 9th of August when Singapore became independent. We are filled with a sense of pride, confidence, self-reliance and courage. We have confidence because we have the support of the people. This is not something that only happens today, but is something that has a historical basis of 11 years. We must have courage, because we are not working in a no-man's-land in facing various kinds of enemies, including the racialists and the Communists. We must not kow-tow to them. The policy speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara has given us great encouragement. In the four months since Singapore achieved independence, we have experienced the initial stages of trials in independence and nation-building. In these four months we have not met with troubles such as racial disputes. This fully goes to show that our people have accepted the leadership of' our Party government, and have at the same time manifested a high degree of co-operation. I believe the growth in the strength of patriotism is a trend that cannot be stopped. We all know that the opposite of patriotism is treason, just as the one Party that opposes the P.A.P, is the Barisan Sosialis. The Barisan's sabotage action against our national defence is something that cannot he pardoned. They oppose the setting up of British bases in Singapore. Their main purpose is to disarm Singapore. They are also opposed to the setting up of a volunteer force in Singapore. This is another manifestation of their intrigues. When lunatics know only how to put forth lunatic slogans, we must in addition be on guard against their destructive acts and sabotage.”