Tan Eng Liang
Singapore
“Sir, in the light of Government's emphasis on road safety and the strong measures indicated by the Hon. Minister, I would draw the Minister's attention to the conviction in court of a school bus driver who caused the death of two students in my constituency. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment.”
“Furthermore, the concessions in personal income tax rates effective from Year of Assessment 1978 have benefitted most taxpayers in the higher income group. I, therefore, do not see any justification to warrant a revision of the $4,000 limit allowable for purposes of tax deduction.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in a position to debate with the hon. Member whether or not the 5% increase given in 1974 was adequate. But if he feels that the situation now warrants another increase, perhaps we can have a look at the position. Dr Augustine Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, just as a matter of interest, what would the Hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $250,000,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st Apri…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Consumer Price Index at constant prices in 1972 was taken as 100. In 1973 it was 117.7. In 1974 it went up to 144. That was the period when the ex-gratia allowance was given. In 1975 it was almost the same, 147.7. In 1976 it was 144.9. In 1977 it was 149.5.”
“ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn sine die." - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly sine die at Twenty-six minutes past Four o'clock p.m.”
The complete record
Every one of 441 lines we hold for Tan Eng Liang, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 9.
“Sir, Singapore at the moment is self-sufficient in poultry and eggs. In my answer I have indicated that 62 poultry farms are allowed to remain and they are encouraged to maximise the use of their land. In this respect they are expected to increase their production of poultry, and they should not use their land for non-farming purposes. The Primary Production Department officials will be available to advise and assist existing farmers on maximising the use of their land for farming. The plots of land allocated to the existing farmers are sufficient, according to the statistics that have been surveyed, to allow them to expand their existing poultry activities. In fact, we will encourage them, if they choose to, to go into pig farming on the existing land. But if they intend to go beyond the small scale into commercial pig rearing, they will have to apply for additional lots outside their present lots.”
“Designated areas and the rates of surcharge may be varied from time to time to achieve the desired traffic restraint objectives and policies. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Dr Tan Eng Liang]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 2.55 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." As part of the scheme to restrain non-essential usage of private cars in the Central Business District, it is necessary to increase parking charges in public and private car parks. This Bill seeks to impose a surcharge on parking places in designated areas. The Minister is empowered to designate areas or places by order in the Gazette and to impose a surcharge on parking places in the designated areas (clause 3). Different rates may be imposed in different designated areas, and the rates may be based on the number of parking lots or on other basis. The surcharge collected shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund (clause 6). The Bill does not apply to parking places used exclusively in connection with any private dwelling houses (clause 8). The usual penalties, exemption and rule-making powers are provided for in the Bill. Members may wish to know that the area to be designated will be the present Restricted Zone. For the purpose of the surcharge, a Core Area within the Restricted Zone will also be designated. This Core Area roughly covers the heart of the Central Business District and will be more accurately described in the Order to be made when the Bill is passed by Parliament and brought into force. I can also inform Members of the House that the rates of surcharge will be $20 per parking lot per month in the Core Area and $10 per parking lot per month in the rest of the Restricted Zone as recommended by the Road Transport Action Committee. The surcharge will apply to all car parks in the designated area including Urban Redevelopment Authority car parks.”
“The good intention of any Bill or Act will be thwarted and cannot achieve its required effects if the implementation process is not as effective and sensibly carried out. Hence proper consideration should be given to the formulation of various regulations by the licensing authority for the practical implementation of the Medicines Act, 1975, when it is finally passed.”
“It is recognised that we have limited clinical and testing facilities. It is therefore unlikely that we are in a position to conduct tests on tetratogenic effects or congenital deformities. In view of this, the licensing authority should be flexible in assessing submitted literature for medicinal products. An example of this test in case is the experience relating to the introduction of thalidomide in Germany resulting in thousands of babies being deformed. It is therefore essential to establish whether local manufacturing facilities provide certain safeguards on the consumers in case of such an unfortunate event for if they should seek monetary compensation, how do the manufacturers intend to meet these requirements? I think this is one area which is worth looking into. Again in Part III, clauses 34 and 35, and Part IV, clauses 37 (3) and 41(1), these provisions appear to discriminate against practising pharmacists or pharmacies. It appears reasonable that these similar provisions should also be extended to all those handling and dispensing medicinal products. Part V, clause 47 (1), this provision is not practical as most imported medicinal products are already produced by multi-national pharmaceutical corporations for the international market. Therefore, it may be difficult for the Minister to make regulations stipulating distinctive colours, shapes and markings of medicinal products. The whole of Part VI of the Bill deals with the promotion of sales of medicinal products and medical advertisements. This has extremely wide implications and requires closer study. Representations by interested and knowledgeable parties will be made to the Select Committee.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, arising from an oral question which I asked the Minister of State for Health sometime last year, I am glad to note that he has kept his promise by referring the Bill to a Select Committee. However, I would like to give some general observations why this Medicines Bill should be sent to a Select Committee. The Minister of State has correctly brought out the point which I intended to raise, and that is, it appears extremely restrictive that an appeal is decided by the Minister alone. I think he has indicated just now that it would be better that an appeal committee consisting of knowledgeable representatives from the relevant authorities be appointed to assess all appeals and makes its recommendations to the Minister for a final decision. In Part II, clause 10 (3) the definition of "product licence" is not clear for it does not positively say whether it is the brand or trade name or whether it is the chemical or generic name. Therefore, the question of issuing third party licence on patented products becomes relevant. It is reasonable to accept that products with patent protection still in force, third parties should not be allowed to apply for the licence. However, product licence holders can assign the right to a third party. A few medicinal authorities in the United States have questioned the adequacy of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards. As with the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) or the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) bio-availability standards are generally not available. Hence in clause 12 (1), the safety efficacy and quality of medicinal products should be thoroughly reexamined. Clause 18 (a), (b) and (c) allows the Minister to make regulations for clinical trials and for medicinal tests.”
“Sir, I shall be submitting the case to the Minister, and on that note I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I concede all the points the Minister has said. Can the Minister assure the House that he will give specific instructions to all Traffic Control Divisions and the Traffic Police that they will henceforth stand in front of the traffic sign or at the road junction and not hide behind trees in order to catch the offenders, as we have seen a few days ago?”
“Sir, I do concede the point that the amount of fine imposed for a traffic offence is at the discretion of the magistrate. But what I am trying to bring out is the public opinion towards the control of traffic in Singapore. Just now I indicated the increased revenue from traffic offences in 1972-73. 1 said that in 1972 the revenue was almost $2.5 million and in 1973 it was almost $3 million. One of my colleagues here has given me figures which show that the estimated revenue from traffic fines for 1974 was $3.3 million and for 1975 the estimated revenue is $4 million. So there is this fear among the public of this intention. I am just reflecting this public opinion which I think is valid. With regard to traffic fines, I purposely lay stress that this was the first offence, and I do concede that if there is a blatant act to beat the traffic light then nobody would quibble about it. But here is a case of one policeman's word against that of a member of the public. I would like to ask the Minister, being a lawyer himself, is it not common Jaw that a person is innocent until he is proved guilty? But in this case the policeman seems to exercise the reverse, which means that he presumes that the offender is guilty until he is proved innocent. What I am saying is that no oppor tunity was given to this person to prove his innocence, it is like saying, "When the light turned amber, I was very near the stop-line. What do you want me to do? Step on the emergency brake or drive across?" The circumstances are such that proper investigation should be done. The reason why I did not bring this matter up earlier was because] was informed of it only a few weeks ago although the incident occurred on 2nd January.”
“In fact, I was told that the Mobile Squads were each given a quota of six arrests a day. It is also a well-known fact that Traffic Police (both from the Traffic and various Divisions) hide behind trees, pillars and at corners to pounce on motorists who may have missed, for example, the "no turning" road signs during certain selected hours. Many Members in this House will agree that some of these signs cannot be read until one comes near and stop in front of them. For a motorist who is unfamiliar with a road or area, it is sometimes inevitable that turning the corner during the restricted hours will happen. Some of the policemen forget that their primary duty is to assist the public and not to simply arrest or book them. They should, therefore, stand in front of the signs to guide the traffic rather than hide somewhere so as to be able to catch motorists for committing any simple offences. All the strenuous efforts to project the good image of the Police Force as a friend of the public such as the Police Week and so on, are nullified by these actions of the Traffic Police. The Police who want public cooperation on the one hand seem to be practising public persecution of the silent majority, on the other. We fully support the Police in their job to maintain law and order, but I would like to see positive action taken by the Ministry to minimise, if not to eliminate, punishment by the Traffic Police of the silent majority simply because they are more manageable victims to handle than those who commit serious crimes. 3.45 p.m.”
“Is it Government's policy to raise revenue from the Traffic Police or other traffic control authority, such as the ROV irrespective of whether the public is going to suffer from any minor, and sometimes through ignorance, or unintentional infringement of the law? The interpretation of the law according to the letter and the complete unwillingness to exercise any discretion is the surest way of generating discontent among the public against the Police and the Government. Many people feel that the mobile and traffic police appear to have a quota of arrests to fulfil. In the same 1973 Police Department Annual Report, it was also reported that for the years 1972 and 1973, the number of reports of traffic offences were 121,648 and 163,634 cases respectively. It is little wonder that as the Traffic Police fines increase in size the number of arrests or traffic offences committed by the public appears to increase proportionately. I would like the Minister concerned to make a statement whether the Traffic Police has, in fact, a quota of arrests to fulfil either for each day or each month for the benefit of this House.”
“It would, therefore, appear that the Traffic Police Division was set up more as a revenue-earning section of the Police Force where the silent majority are those who are penalised. Last month a member of this silent majority dutifully pleaded guilty to a charge of beating a red light. It was his first offence. Excepting the Traffic Court, no opportunity for any explanation was given or any offer of composition made by the Traffic Police. Like the majority who were unlucky to be summoned to court, he had the impression that there was little use in arguing against the words of the single policeman who booked him as one would only end up paying a heavier fine. Hence, he pleaded guilty. Imagine his great surprise when the Magistrate fined him $600. He had only $200 in his pocket. The Police refused to let him go home to get the rest of the money. Finally, he pleaded to be allowed to use the only available telephone, that is, a public telephone. He called up his office colleagues and they managed to raise the rest of the money required. This was personally delivered to him. What would have happened if the public telephone was out of order? Perhaps he would have to wait until one kind police officer dared to exercise his discretion and allow him to go home to collect the rest of the money, having retained his identity card. In this particular instance, his identity card was retained and yet nobody was sympathetic towards his predicament. He was simply treated like a criminal! Incidentally, on 23rd February I was told that in the Nanyang Siang Pau, it was reported that a man was fined only $250 or one month's jail for molesting a girl in a public bus. Yet, for a first offender for beating a red light the penalty is $600 or two months' jail.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1105*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs P. Govindaswamy, Lee Yiok Seng, Phey Yew Kok and J. F. COnceicao). Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully support the new Government's policy to use national servicemen in the Singapore Police Force. The men who combat crime with increasing complexity and at great risk to themselves deserve our full support and praise. However, I would like to join my fellow colleagues here to examine the real reasons for the acute shortage of manpower in the rank and file of the Police Force and to establish what remedial measures can be taken so that we will attract the right type of men for the very important task of maintaining law and order in our Republic. Perhaps the need to establish a Manpower Committee so soon after the Lee Soo Ann Report may reflect the fact that the Minister is not satisfied with the terms and conditions given in the Lee Soo Ann Report. However, I hope that this new Manpower Committee will do much better. Under this sub-head I would like to comment on the Ministry's traffic policy. It is accepted that traffic control by both the Area's Divisional Police and the Traffic Police Division is essential to reduce accident rate and to prevent traffic congestion. I am sure everyone agrees that severe penalties must be meted out to people who persistently commit tra- ffic offences and violations. According to the latest Police Department Annual Report, 1973, the revenue collected by the Force for the years 1972 and 1973 for compounding traffic offences were $2,481,215 and $2,972,891 respectively.”
“Sir, I would like to support the suggestions and recommendations put forward by the Member for Boon Teck regarding the policy on the maximum amount allotted to the building of a community centre. I share his view that the existing policy discriminates the amount allocated to the constituencies. It creates discrimination among constituencies, because some constituencies for some good reason are able to build, through donations, a community centre varying perhaps from $4 million to $1 million. Compare this with other constituencies which, through no fault of their own and facing particular constituency problems are unable to collect an amount to build even a reasonable community centre. I think the Member for Henderson will be speaking on this subject on more or less the same lines. I would like to support that this policy requires re-examination. I would like to support that, irrespective of the nature of the constituency, the maximum of $300,000 be given so that any constituency can at least put up a reasonable structure with reasonable facilities. Failure to understand the thinking of the constituency problems reflects the non-practical approach of the People's Association. I would, therefore, strongly suggest that the Minister for Culture, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the People's Association seriously look into this question.”
“Sir, the public is anxious to know about the licence fee.”
“Sir, can the Minister please indicate the likely reasons tbr not being able to make a decision?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the public is vvondering what would be the licence fee for operating a colour television. As we have been having colour television foralmost eight months now, can the Minister for Culture indicate what the licence fee is likely to be? If he cannot, what are the reasons for not being able to give an indieation after having colour TV for eight months?”
“We need a good civil service, we need to rapidly build up the vital second echelon in the civil service. I would therefore like to propose that this House either directs the Estimates Committee, or forms a high powered commission, to look into the present budgetting and financial control system and:-- 1. To recommend measures to improve the existing system and reduce friction and dissatisfaction; and 2. To determine which departments should be made autonomous to take them out of the bureaucratic system. Recently we read in the newspapers of the recommendation to set up the Department of Civil Aviation as a statutory board. I believe that the development of this very important Department and our Air Terminal could have been very much accelerated, if not for the bureaucracy involved. I am not advocating that we dismantle the entire system which has worked so far. What I am suggesting is that we must not be blinded by our success and ignore the weaknesses and faults in the system which, in the long run, can stifle its growth. I salute the dedicated civil servants who had stuck to the service through the difficult times we had gone through the last 15 years. At the same time we must recognise the problems and make the necessary changes to continuously improve the service. As we enter the technological age and under rapid changes, new priorities and programmes would require a civil service that is dynamic and responsive to the needs of the times, ready to meet and surmount new challenges. As a responsible Government, we must govern firmly, wisely, efficiently, but also politely. We need an effective civil service at all times to do this. 3.34 p.m.”
“They cannot vire even a few hundred dollars without prior approval from the Treasury. This practice often takes a long time to be approved as it is not normally encouraged. Surely, this is unnecessary unless someone is trying to preserve his authority or protect his job. Proposals for budgets are usually made months in advance. No one can predict accurately what exactly will be required. Changes are inevitable, but they are difficult to be effected under the present system. It is an established fact that very often things are bought and money spent merely because they appear on the budget, even though the items may not be required any more. Departments that leave money unspent run the risk of their following year's budget being reduced. This is a well known fact. No credit is given to officers for saving money. On the other hand, the officer may even be considered a bad planner who cannot even estimate accurately. There must be tremendous wastage of public funds in this way because of the negative approach of the present system. With Development Estimates, large sums of money are left unspent each year. It will be interesting to know from the Finance Minister how much money and what percentage of the development fund are left unspent each year. Besides shortage of manpower in certain areas, what other causes are responsible for these hold-ups? Valuable time is also lost in this process. Projects are delayed. Can the system be improved to reduce this? What is being done to remedy this situation? If the implementation of Government policies and programmes is badly handled by just a few civil servants because of the system, a lot of frustration can result within the service and with the public.”
“This practice, if not checked, can be abused or misused resulting very frequently in relatively junior officers in the Budget and in Ministry headquarters over-riding even Heads of Department or very senior professional officers. Non-professionals begin to dictate to the professionals through the budget system, completely forgetting that the other parties too have responsibilities for the performance of their respective organisations. People usually respect authority provided the authority is exercised by someone they can respect, and not one who rams authority down the throats of others by virtue of the position he holds. I will cite a classical example. A request was made for a re-vote for a 50-cycle generator. The reply was "Re-vote for generator approved. Explain why the additional 50 bicycles are required". Another example. A department needed an equipment to generate hot air for drying purposes. The request for a hair-dryer was disapproved. However, a hot air blower was later supported. I can cite many instances, but I feel they are quite unnecessary. They can only cause irritation and frustration. Let the professionals get down to their job and let us devise a system to minimise these incidents. Another source of frustration is the delegation of authority relating to funds. I agree that a department's allocation should depend on the national budget, but surely the details of what is required after that should be left to the man in charge and not to a complete layman in the Finance Ministry. The irony is that a doctor is entrusted with people's lives and an engineer to design or supervise projects involving millions of dollars; yet these same people are not trusted with even small sums of money.”
“Today, I will concentrate on highlighting some of the problems within the civil service, particularly involving the professional services (the medical, scientific, technical and educational services), and I would like to make general recommendations on some of these problems and how they can be solved. Sir, we know that rapid development has created a manpower shortage, particularly in the engineering and technical fields. Many vacancies still exist in the service for these personnel, but I find it difficult to accept the explanation that shortage in the public sector of professional staff is due to pay alone. Not only few professionals join the civil service, many also resign from it. Surely not all the doctors, engineers, technocrats and teachers who resigned have done so because of financial reason alone. I have no doubt that many of these professionals who have left are dedicated people and who, if given the proper opportunity, would also like to participate and contribute to the exciting challenge of nation building. The large number of volunteers who are now serving on the various Government Boards and committees bear testimony to this. Yet many professionals who have joined the civil service have left. Some left because they have been totally disillusioned. Others left because they were frustrated by the administrative system. It appears that among certain sections of the service, as mentioned by previous Members before me, money is all that matters. There is a phobia to make money for the Government. There is also an over-emphasis on the control of public funds, so much so that effective implementation of Government policies and achieving departmental objectives take second place at best.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to congratulate the Finance Minister for his usual informative and detailed Budget address and for having presented such a vivid picture of our economy. When the House was debating the Presidential Address, I touched on the implementation process within the Government machinery and on the need to examine the existing administrative system to determine where changes are urgently required. Members of this House also commented on the professional services, like the medical and health services, the need for better coordination between Government departments, and the need for a more effective and courteous civil service among other things. Our civil service is, by and large, one that we can be proud of - non-corrupt and in comparison with many others a fairly efficient one. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. Although Singapore has been an independent country for 10 years now, it appears that the tradition of Whitehall still permeates the civil service. Some officers, even very senior ones, still carry out instructions and regulations to the letter without question or understanding. They seldom exercise discretion and work more like a robot. This is one of the main causes of frustration within the civil service itself. In dealing with the public, such an impersonalised system when carried too far can breed public discontent and misunderstanding - not with Whitehall now, but with our own elected Government. I will cite instances of such dealings under the appropriate Ministries during the debate on the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure.”
“The Government should take cognizance of this lest, in the process of accepting certain systems and not daring to make changes, it may produce demigods among the civil service and cause frustration to many whom the service is supposed to serve. In the final analysis, what is most important is for the Government policies to be lucidly explained to the public by those who implement them. Our people must know and understand the problems of development, so that they can learn to accept the things they cannot change; have the courage to change what they can change; and above all, possess the wisdom to know the difference. This wisdom can only be developed through better communication and education. The Government can and should take a leading role in this. 3.25 p.m.”
“We should also remember that teachers play a vital role in shaping the attitudes and the life-styles of our youths. I would urge for a more objective and effective system to reward and motivate the teaching profession. On the other hand, we would also need to evolve a system to identify and penalise the few black sheep. I am persuaded to think that the various teachers' associations and unions may be well-placed to do this to seek out these few who tarnish the good name of the teaching profession. This need to identify and penalise the black sheep should also apply to other sectors, for example, the Armed Forces. Human nature being what it is, much public misunderstanding and ill-feeling can result if, under the guise of discipline, harsh penalties and labour are meted out to national servicemen, usually by an irresponsible few. More efforts must therefore be made to minimise such incidents to preserve the good image of our army. Trade unions should also see to it that irresponsible and mischievous elements amongst their members are weeded out. It is true that we have developed very fast. It is also true that we may have achieved in 16 years what it may take some other countries a century to attain. At such a rapid rate of development, problems will most certainly loom. Already, we are experiencing a shortage of skilled and experienced manpower in certain sectors which can only be developed with time. The Government should try to minimise these problems and not merely shrug its shoulders in a "can't-be-helped" attitude or "What to do? The system is such?" attitude. Let us recognise and drive home the point that individuals are responsible for their actions as well as inactions.”
“As I see it, there is need in certain areas, for better co-ordination, while in others there is a need for decentralisation. Procedures and mechanisms which have stood us in good stead in the past may now require modification and revamping. By the 1980's, if everything goes on well in the Asian and Pacific region, Singapore will be in the beginnings of the technological era. The main challenge to our society will revolve not only around the production of goods alone but also around the difficulties and opportunities involved in a Singapore of accelerating changes and ever-widening options. While it is true that change has always been a characteristic of the Singapore environment, in the eighties, the pace of change will come much faster and will affect every facet of life, from personal values to education and life styles. I am therefore glad to note that special attention will be given to caring for the old, the handicapped and the youths. In the past, and quite rightly too, the Government has focused its attention on the productive side of the economy such as jobs, tourism, income, and industries. In so doing, it may not have done as much for the young, the old, and the handicapped as it would like to. As a Government which has achieved considerable success in developing the economy and redistributing the economic cake to workers, I would think it is time now for the Government to pay more attention to the less exciting but more human and social aspects of development. After all, the aged and the handicapped are also our citizens. It is satisfying to note that the Education system will be restructured to meet the needs of the times and the educational facilities expanded according to the needs of our population.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to add my support to the Motion to thank the President for his Address to the House and for highlighting the problems that need our attention and the measures the Government would need to adopt in the long-term interests of the nation. I agree with the policies outlined in the Presidential Address and in the Addendum on the various Ministries and support the proposed measures designed to meet the long-term as well as the day-to-day administration of our nation. I am sure everyone of us will fully endorse the view expressed by the President that it is the primary duty of government to establish an equal-opportunity society, where everyone has an equal chance to live, learn, work and play to the best of his or her capabilities. I would, however, like to comment on a few issues relating to the implementation process within government machinery. Firstly, however well-intentioned government may be and however meaningful the policies formulated, they will mean very little, unless they can be implemented, to achieve the objectives and the impact, that the government wants. In this regard, I support the views expressed by the hon. Member for Jalan Kayu yesterday -that the Government should look into the various systems under which it now operates with a view to achieving better co-ordination between Government departments, and better communication and interaction between civil servants and the public they serve. Sending a letter, particularly a badly worded or a strongly worded one, to a member of the public is communication at its lowest level. Interaction implies that the reason for the letter is made known to the reader, and the governmental policies behind it explained, in polite and clear tones.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Ministry of Health, in considering the setting up of a board for the registration of drugs, provide facilities for screening? What I mean is besides just checking on the claims of an importer of a particular new drug, will the Ministry of Health itself have the facilities to test the claims?”
“Sir, I think in future queries on more technical matters, the DMS or the Permanent Secretary should be present to help the Minister concerned. However, although the reply was unsatisfactory, I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Hwang Soo Jin - (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head MA be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead HA 1109.”
“Yes, but it does not make sense. For example, a person imports sodium hydroxide all the way from Germany and if he tries to help me as my shipment is delayed, he gets prosecuted in doing this good act. I am trying to tell the Minister that it does not make sense. Maybe that 1958 rule requires amendment. Therefore, it is time the Inspectorate woke up to what other people in the world are doing. If the Minister cannot accept that, then I am sorry that I still maintain my views.”
“I do not see the logic of it. Consequently some doctors have been summoned to court on a technicality, which defeats the usefulness of this Misuse of Drugs Act. Perhaps the Minister could please comment on these few points.”
“The next point which I wanted to say was that I went through a lot of trouble collecting statistics to show why - and I am sorry to say the Minister did not quite understand what I was trying to get at with all the confusion of the control of sodium hydroxide -there is a need to put methyl salicyclate under the Poisons Ordinance. I illustrated that for the whole period 1970-73, there were only 10 deaths from caustic soda poisoning whereas there were 36 cases of salicyclate poisoning. I would have thought it obvious that the Minister would give a reasonable reply and say, "O.K., we will put it in the Poisons Schedule", or "We will consider it." Instead he completely dismisses all the efforts I have put in. He did not say anything about it. Finally, in connection with this lack of co-ordination and also this non-flexibility or complete lack of discretion on the part of the enforcement section, I am suggesting that although laws are passed by Parliament with good intentions, sometimes the spirit and intention are completely misinterpreted by those responsible for its implementation. This is serious because it can lead to misunderstanding between the Government and the public. This sometimes leads to resentment against the Government. Let me sum up the last point on the non-flexible bureaucratic approach. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act every medical practitioner or practising surgeon must put an entry into a specially bound record book whatever he buys, uses and stores. And he must employ a clerk to do all this monotonous work. Because of section 34 (1) (d) of the Act, the enforcement section in the Ministry of Health insists that it must also be a specially bound book approved by the Ministry of Health officials and that entries must be made in the book every day.”
“I am saying that there is no necessity for the importer, having bought this carton of poison, to put the word "POISON" on the carton in four languages and send it to the retailer, because the retailer will tear the whole label out and put another label "POISON" in four languages inside the carton. I do not see the logic. I am trying to explain that this requirement is unnecessary, and in terms of labour and labelling material the end-user finally has to pay a higher price for it. I am saying that some discretion be exercised in the interpretation of this simple rule. I am not suggesting any relaxation. 4.30 p.m. The third point, as far as the Poisons Advisory Committee is concerned, is precisely what I am trying to get at -that decisions are made on an ad hoc basis. To ban or to include a poison is a decision made on an ad hoc basis. So I have suggested very clearly that there should be a permanent committee. So on these three points, the Minister has completely misunderstood me. The next point that the Minister has not answered is my suggestion on the procedure for approval. I mentioned that there is no co-ordination between relevant departments. I have also mentioned that on the one hand the Poisons authority requires the retailer or the importer to have a pharmacist to present his case and yet, on the other hand at Government end it is only a clerk who tries to negotiate. I am suggesting that a more permanent committee be set up, which the Minister has not even touched on.”
“Sir, the Minister has completely missed all the points that I have raised. I am not quarrelling about the rules in the Poisons Act. I am fully aware of the six paragraphs in the Act. What I am suggesting is fairly straightforward. Why is it that a person, who holds Form A which allows him to buy caustic soda from anywhere outside Singapore, cannot be allowed to buy sodium hydroxide within Singapore? In other words, the law requires that if he holds Form A under the Poisons Act, he must simultaneously hold Form E under the sodium hydroxide rule 1958. Without this Form E, he cannot buy caustic soda locally. My question is straightforward. Why is it that a person, who is authorised by law by holding Form A to purchase caustic soda from anywhere outside Singapore, is not allowed to buy caustic soda within Singapore unless he holds Form E? That is the gist of the first point that I want to make. The second point is on the question of labelling. I am not suggesting any leniency or relaxation of the Poisons Act or the Poisons rule. From the practical point of view, I am saying that the enforcement section, in particular the Poisons Inspectorate, does not exercise any common sense at all and no sense of discretion. I went through the trouble to quote the examples. For example, an importer already imports a certain poison with the label "POISON" in English, and what he does is to sell this labelled poison to a trading firm or to a manufacturing firm which intends to repack and sell it to the pharmacist. Therefore.”
“The Act became operative in July 1973 and contains extensive provisions for the regulation and control of dangerous and harmful drugs - referred to as "controlled drugs". Nobody will dispute the need for such stringent control, especially with the increasing problems of drug peddling and drug addiction facing our society now. Sir, I support generally the wide provisions in the Act, but it is my opinion that the implementation part requires streamlining. I regret to suggest that the enforcing officers are extremely bureaucratic and do not exhibit any sense of discretion or flexibility. Section 34 (1) (d) of the Act empowers the Minister to make regulations "requiring medical practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, veterinary surgeons and other persons who deal in controlled drugs as may be authorized by regulations made under this Act to keep records and make returns". Arising from this provision the enforcing authority makes rules insisting that all purchase, storage and usage of controlled drugs must be registered in a specially bound book and that entries must be made daily. To comply with this regulation, clinics and surgeries have to employ a clerk just to do the monotonous task of posting the controlled drugs.”
“In addition, tests for salicyclates were also conducted at other public testing institutions such as the Department of Pathology. For 1973, the Department of Pathology reported 91 tests for salicyclates submitted by the Hospital Authorities. From the above figures (both deaths and tests), it is obvious that poisoning due to salicyclates has achieved wide proportion. Yet the Poison Advisory Committee is still sleeping and doing nothing about it. As mentioned earlier, the Ministry of Health has stringent and complicated procedures for the control of caustic soda but salicyclates is not even placed in the Poisons Schedule. I would therefore like to suggest that, in the first instance, salicyclates should be placed in the Poisons Schedule. This will help to effectively control and prevent domestic accidents and deaths in some cases of small children and young adults. I would like to suggest the setting up of a Poisons Information Centre. The list of available poisons is expanding rapidly and a store-house of the latest information on existing and new poisons is most essential. Many professionals such as the medical practitioners, pharmacists, chemists, etc. are sometimes caught in a situation where they are in no position to recommend a treatment for a particular new poison. The availability of the Poisons Information Centre for consultation under such a situation will be most helpful. It is not suggested that the Centre should be established on the scale as those in Japan, Edinburgh or London. For a start, a small Information Centre is suggested. Lastly, I would like to comment on the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1973.”
“One of its more important functions must be the continuous review of Poisons regulations and to keep up-to-date with recent information on the availability and danger of existing and/or new poisons. At the moment, the decision to ban an existing poison or to add a new poison to the Poisons Schedule is based on an ad hoc basis. Frequently, incomplete or partial information is used in the assessment. Available published literature shows that for the period 1960 to 1969, 114 deaths were due to caustic soda poisoning consisting of 90 per cent suicides and 10 per cent domestic accidents. For the same period the number of deaths due to salicyclates poisoning was 21 cases consisting of 50 per cent suicides and 50 per cent domestic accidents. This 50 per cent of domestic accidents mostly involved young children. The majority of these cases were due to methyl salicyclates, as it is the common ingredient used in the popular medicated oils used extensively in external application by the Chinese. Most Chinese families stock a few bottles of these medicated oils at home and they are sometimes used as a sort of panacea. On certain occasions, such as in the revival of unconscious persons, a small amount is even taken orally. More recent available figures for the four years 1970-73 revealed 10 deaths due to caustic soda poisoning, whereas the number of deaths due to methyl salicyclates poisoning was about 3� times more (36 cases). This clearly shows that deaths either suicides or domestic accidents due to methyl salicyclates poisoning have now come to the forefront. The Department of Chemistry Annual Report for 1972 gave a figure of 140 tests for salicyclates detected in biological samples.”
“Currently, importers have to label these preparations when they sell them to the trade. However, the moment these goods arrive at the retailers they in turn paste their own label on it. Usually, the first label is either removed or superimposed by the second label. This is because the name and address of the seller has to be included in the label at each stage. The label put by the importer, therefore, serves no useful purpose between the importer and the retailer. This wastage of labour and labelling material will again lead to higher expenditure which will finally be passed on to the end-users. Many importers of new drugs and poisons have found the approval procedure very arbitrary, especially in border-line cases. There appears to be no co-ordination between relevant departments and frequently importers are pushed from one department to another. Although the Poisons authority insists on the requirement of a qualified pharmacist to present the case, far too often the authority is simply represented by a clerical officer, who finally makes his recommendation to his qualified superior. Occasionally, there appears to be a "bargain or negotiation" taking place during this discussion. This unhealthy situation also needs streamlining. I would like to suggest that a permanent assessment committee be set up consisting of knowledgeable and qualified representatives and given proper terms of reference and guidelines to work with. I understand that there exists a Poisons Advisory Committee (PAC) which seldom sit and only meet when necessary. Perhaps the PAC should be given a "shot" to wake them up. It should be completely re-organised and re-vitalised with proper terms of operations and guidelines.”
“To avoid this situation and perhaps the only solution for the industrial firm using caustic soda is to stop production and await the approval of his application for Form E which normally takes three or four weeks. Recently, the Director of Medical Services appears to have taken a retrogressive step in that licensees cannot simultaneously hold both Form A and Form E. This makes matters worse and the industrial sector is badly inconvenienced and simply cannot understand this illogical decision. Could the Minister for Health and Home Affairs explain the rationale behind this confusing state of affairs? To solve this confusing situation in the control of caustic soda, may I suggest that the relevant Rules be amended and the procedure streamlined. Like many countries elsewhere, it appears obvious that the holder of Form A should be allowed to purchase caustic soda from both outside and inside Singapore, subject to any reasonable control procedure the Ministry of Health think fit. The second point I would like to raise concerns the strict enforcement of labelling requirements for all scheduled poisons controlled under the Poisons Act and Poisons Rules. Here again, the Poisons Inspectorate is too rigid and do not allow any degree of flexibility within the scope of people who are suitably qualified or authorised to handle the use and sale of poisons. In most instances, imported poisons are already labelled with the word "Poison" in the English language. In these cases, exemptions should be granted to sales made to trading and manufacturing firms with knowledgeable, qualified and authorised personnel, in the case of poisons sold to the public (e.g, at retail pharmacies), it is understandable that the word "Poison" should be written in the four languages.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head MA be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AA 1105*. (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy.) Mr Speaker, Sir, the present control of poisons, including caustic soda, is cumbersome and confusing as the Poisons Inspectorate section of the Ministry of Health, in enforcing the Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 146) uses under the Eighth Schedule a series of seven types of forms stretching from Form A to Form G. However, it is admitted that strict control on the purchase, storage and sale of sodium hydroxide (more commonly known as caustic soda) by the Poisons Inspectorate is indeed necessary as caustic soda is still one of the favourite suicidal poisons. Rule (3) of the Poisons (Sodium Hydroxide) Rules, 1958, states that "it shall not be lawful to sell sodium hydroxide unless the purchaser holds a permit (i.e. Form E) to purchase same". Under the Poisons Ordinance a holder of Form A is licensed to import and store poisons, and presumably is allowed for his own use but he cannot sell. To sell, he requires to possess Form C. It is further complicated that while a holder of Form A can purchase caustic soda from anywhere outside Singapore, he is not allowed to purchase within Singapore unless he simultaneously possesses Form E. During an emergency, such as shipping delay or out-of-stock situation, an industrial firm using caustic soda cannot temporarily buy caustic soda locally unless he possesses Form E as explained above. In this acute situation where a seller, in helping out an emergency, contravenes the law, he is prosecuted in court. A few "good-intention" sellers have landed in court and their rice bowls broken in performing a samaritan act.”
“No, Sir. Actually what I am going to speak on is related to a decision by the Minister. It is a policy decision. And on the next subhead, I will be speaking on matters which also involve policy. But if the Minister wants me to take them together, I can do so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Misuse of Drugs Bill was passed in this House on 16th February, 1973.”
“Sir, as the Minister has correctly suggested, perhaps publicity should be given to the existence of the Central Complaints Bureau, so that more people will know about it. Maybe the Minister may even want to give some examples of its effectiveness.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to support the point which the Member for Jalan Kayu is trying to drive home. It has been suggested that if the Bureau can show its effectiveness in tackling complaints by having a more effective manpower force, or perhaps a higher officer to be in charge, it could give the service that the public expects. Then perhaps the public would not be writing to the press. However, it is obvious, therefore, that they have to write to the press for effective measures to be taken. Sir, the point that we are suggesting here is that perhaps the Minister could consider looking into the reorganisation of the Bureau, in terms of better manpower or more effective leadership. I think that may encourage more complaints to be made to the Bureau. Mr Sim Boon Woo: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the press is much more effective than the Complaints Bureau, I would suggest to the Minister that the Complaints Bureau is of no further use. Would the Minister, therefore, think of scrapping it?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, every Member is asking for a post office. Perhaps the Minister of State has read in the newspapers about the inadequacy of the post office in the River Valley Constituency. For a business area almost in the centre of town, there is only one small post office in Killiney Road, plus another opposite the Marco Polo Hotel which is under urban renewal. There have been numerous requests in the newspapers suggesting that a bigger or an alternative post office be provided. But so far nothing has been done and I have been patient. I am just wondering whether, in this provision for a number of post offices, serious consideration could be given for the setting up of another post office in the River Valley Constituency.”
“We should also look into the question of giving incentives for research and development for the technical and professional staff from these institutions. Not many civil servants, including those in statutory boards, are given big pay rises - only a few at the top get it. The provision of more facilities in these institutions will definitely help decrease staff turnover and fossilisation of some individuals. $2 million is a small sum compared with the sums we spend on these institutions. At this stage of our development, we simply cannot afford a manpower drain from our technical and educational institutions. The development of manpower, our only resource, must be balanced and it should receive more attention. Let us not forget that our aim is to develop Singapore as a centre of excellence, not only in the areas of finance and tourism alone but also in the technological competence in certain selected fields. I would like to see greater emphasis placed on science and technology related to Singapore's development. This is sadly lacking in the Budget Statement for 1974-75. 3.25 p.m.”
“At the moment, it is a known fact that we have great difficulties in recruiting teaching staff for the tertiary institutions. Why is it so? Far too often, this has been attributed to the fact that the public sector can never compete with the private sector in terms of remuneration and perks. While money and fringe benefits may be important to some, there are many others who would be prepared to take up teaching positions provided there is job satisfaction and avenues for self-betterment. Dedication can only be carried out so far, and dedication without the concomitant recognition and reward will undoubtedly lead to disenchantment and frustration. I am suggesting, Sir, that we should create opportunities to enable lecturers in tertiary institutions to do a fair amount of research and development work through the provision of more research facilities. It is true that we may not see any tangible results from their research for some time. We will, however, be able to attract the right type and number of teachers we need for the expansion of these institutions. What can be achieved, also, is an improvement in the morale of the lecturers, an opportunity for self-betterment and development of the individual and a higher degree of professionalism in the respective institutions. All these are vital to the successful development of our tertiary institutions. I would again suggest that we consider seriously the provision of an annual grant of, say, $2 million for research and development work emanating from the tertiary institutions of education and technical institutions like the PUB, the HDB, PWD, SISIR, etc. This money can be handled by the Ministry of Science and Technology, for example.”
“I would therefore like to urge the Government to re-examine critically not so much our policy on supporting industries, but the ways and means by which we are attempting to attract such industries to Singapore. Admittedly, from an investment point of view, there is not much glamour in attracting these industries to Singapore as a typical investment of a supporting industry is usually in the region of $1 million or less. There is a lot of work involved and the investment sum is relatively low when compared with the big multi-nationals. There is therefore a tendency to concentrate efforts to attract investment from multi-nationals almost to the entire exclusion of these supporting industries. I am not suggesting, Sir, that we should reduce the intensity of our efforts to attract multi-nationals. What I am suggesting here is that a more positive programme should be drawn up and equal priority given to attracting the required supporting industries to our shores. For it is these industries that will form the solid foundation of our industrialisation programme. They will ultimately decide whether the next decade will be as rewarding as the last. Thirdly, I would like to comment on certain aspects of the Government's policy on manpower development. The Government has increased its grants to the Industrial Training Board, the Singapore Polytechnic, the Ngee Ann College and our two universities. These grants are essentially provided to cater for the increasing intake of students into these institutions. The policy is good, but can it be successfully implemented without paying special attention to the development of the staff required for these institutions?”
“It should also have the power to seek court injunctions to prevent non-conforming products from entering the market. The Commission should work closely with bodies such as CASE, whose members can provide a useful feedback information. In this way I think the Government will succeed not only in protecting the interests and safety of the consumer but will also encourage and support the growth of industries genuinely concerned with higher technology, product quality and safety. I would now like to take up my second point and, that is, the development of adequate supporting industries for the Republic's established manufacturing sector. Although the Government has recognised the important role of these supporting industries and has earmarked $100 million to assist in equity participation in the promotion of these industries, relatively little has been achieved. Today, the manufacturing sector is bereft of the complementary facilities that could have been provided had our supporting industries, established during the earlier days of our industrialisation, succeeded in upgrading their technical skills and content. What we lack today are a number of "small" industries, capable of producing precision engineering tool and die making, production of higher quality industrial products, better type of electroplating, and manufacture of more sophisticated metal and plastic component parts for our existing industries. Small but highly technologically oriented supporting industries are in great need. Manufacturers of electronic calculators, radios and other products in Singapore have still to turn to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong for moulds and relatively simple metal and plastic parts for the products made here.”
“So also some neighbouring countries have come out with similar acts, and many are considering to do likewise as their societies become more affluent. In the present situation where there is mounting inflation and profiteering, it is necessary to have this Act passed as soon as possible. The Government must have the authority to require both local and foreign products to specify, wherever necessary. This will not impede trade because I am not suggesting that we should impose a blanket requirement, other than where it involves health and safety. Other commodities can be so specified from time to time and, when necessary, to be incorporated in the Schedule. I would therefore like to propose that the Government should enact a Consumer Protection Act, very much on the lines of the Trade Description Act of the United Kingdom to cover commodities and appliances other than those cited in the Sale of Food Act. The Consumer Protection Act would in essence give powers to the Government to require ethical labelling of specified commodities and to restrict the importation of products of questionable quality which would be against the interest of our consuming public, or which constitutes a danger to safety and health. The Government may use the services of an existing department, or establish a Consumer Protection Commission or agency, to carry out the stipulated functions of the Consumer Protection Act. The Commission's basic philosophy would be to motivate the private sector to provide product safety and to educate the public to be more conscious and critical of product quality,. The Commission should be given a fairly broad enforcement authority with the power to purchase products and to specify products that need to be tested.”
“The use of certain chemicals (though they may be cheaper) is prohibited for certain paints, as these chemicals may pollute the environment. These requirements are not applicable to imported paints, and there is no existing law to compel imported paints even to declare their specifications regarding quality and quantity. Similarly, lead-containing materials should not be used for the manufacture of toys in order to protect our children from lead poisoning, which can lead to deterioration of health, mental retardation or even death. I am not aware of any existing law prohibiting the use of lead containing materials, including paints in toys, in Singapore. On the question of cheating or profiteering, traders usually cheat on quantity and quality. Cheating in quantity can be more easily detected, but cheating in quality is more difficult to detect. Take the case of toilet paper, for example. Consumers are only interested in buying them by the rolls, and they buy them cheap without knowing either the quality of the paper or the number of sheets that they get per roll. It is known today that there are some tissue paper rolls in the market which have got very big cores and therefore very little paper on them. They are cheaper and the paper is, of course, thinner. The consumers are thus being cheated. Problems similar to what I have just cited exist in the manufacture of many products, and there is therefore a need for manufacturers to specify their products. I would like also to inform this House that many developed countries have experienced the above problems in their industrialisation programmes, and many of them have come out with legislations to protect the consumers as well as the manufacturing sector. In the United Kingdom they have the Trade Description Act.”