Tay Boon Too
Singapore
“Of course, I am glad to hear that the answer is "No". Sir, I would like to ask, or rather make a suggestion. Can the two languages be given equal exposure time, i.e. 50% for the mother tongue and 50% for English?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would just like to request the Senior Minister of State to clarify certain matters in regard to bilingualism. I have already quoted the Prime Minister in my speech just now.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister of State's answer to the question of six- and seven-year primary education seems to be wrong. According to my understanding, the curriculum committee has already revised the six-year syllabus to a seven-year syllabus. For example, there is a textbook graded Book Seven.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a supplementary question. If a student's home environment is not conducive to his learning the language in a particular language stream, under our bilingual policy is it possible for him to learn more in the language in which he is proficient?”
“As a result of this statement the school inspectors in charge of second language teaching are very worried. So they visit all the various Chinese schools, not with the purpose of advising the teachers how to raise the standard of English as the second language but to tell the teachers, "My superior has pulled me up, so I must pull you up…”
“Sir, earlier on the Minister for Education mentioned that the discretion of limited corporal punishment has been given to principals and senior teachers. I do not know whether he realises a situation like this.”
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“Of course, I am glad to hear that the answer is "No". Sir, I would like to ask, or rather make a suggestion. Can the two languages be given equal exposure time, i.e. 50% for the mother tongue and 50% for English? Perhaps only in this way can we eradicate the long existing barriers among the various types of schools in Singapore and mould a common type of Singapore school in the end. In my view, there should be no English schools. Chinese schools. Malay schools or Tamil schools as such, There should be no such distinction in our schools, but Singapore schools. Sir, we also understand that there are students who do not have the capacity to learn two languages, particularly English as a second language. Having accepted that, can we say that in the common Singapore schools we can set up a system in which emphasis will be given to learning the mother tongue but the second language, namely, English can be used as a common medium of instruction?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would just like to request the Senior Minister of State to clarify certain matters in regard to bilingualism. I have already quoted the Prime Minister in my speech just now. The Prime Minister said that after 15 years' heart-searching he has decided on the bilingual education policy using English and Chinese or the mother tongue on equal terms as a policy for education in Singapore. Today, is the use of the bilingual education policy declining? The Senior Minister of State is now shaking his head.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister of State answered that this book has not been published or issued to the public. In fact, the schools are using this Book Seven textbook.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister of State's answer to the question of six- and seven-year primary education seems to be wrong. According to my understanding, the curriculum committee has already revised the six-year syllabus to a seven-year syllabus. For example, there is a textbook graded Book Seven. If it is true that the seven-year system has been abolished, why should there be a Book Seven textbook?”
“However, in our multi-racial and multi-cultural context, if we only study English it is a great folly because it will separate ourselves from our cultural roots. He also emphasised that we must let our younger generation strike root in their respective languages and cultures and at the same time arrive at the largest common ground through a second language (i.e. English), in the context of living in a multiracial and multi-cultural society. He also frankly pointed out that after 15 years of heart-searching for a solution, we have come to adopt the policy of bilingual education -the mother tongue and English. The Prime Minister has said that our ultimate decision and objective is to have a bilingual education policy. This will be a foundation for our future education policy as well as the ballast for our multi-racial society. 4.00 p.m. I would like to make two points here. I believe that we must resolutely proceed with our bilingual policy thoroughly in spite of difficulties. We should not give up such a policy as a failure merely because of some minor drawbacks in the way. I would like to remind the Minister that our bilingual policy has been implemented only two years ago. So we should continue to carry it out to a successful conclusion.”
“They criticised the educational system left behind by the colonial power as "Schools meant only to produce civil servants who could not engage themselves in productive work." "Such educational system has destroyed the national cultural values and character of those countries and created a group of foreigners out of their own nationals". Such observations are also to be found in the speeches of our political leaders. Why is this so? There was an African scholar, Abdou Mounouni, who said that in the past the Education Ministry in the African state defended and implemented the colonial system of education left behind by the colonial power. They argued that if education was based on their mother tongue, complicated problems would arise. Although they advocated educational reforms, they never interfered with the sole use of the colonial language as a medium of instruction. literacy and the mass media. Therefore, the colonial type of educational relic developed into the foundation of the education system of an independent nation. Sir, if we care to study what I have quoted, we would know that the cause for anxiety and confusion which exist in our education system at present could be attributed to the neglect of our national culture and mother tongue. That is why our political leaders have today once again emphasised that education must be relevant to production, that the incidence of juvenile crimes must be reduced, that our young people should be instilled with the correct work ethics, and that we should return to our mother tongue and writing at once, and so on. When talking about the values of the languages and the cultures of the various races and the importance of English, the Prime Minister has clearly indicated that for our economic reasons English is most important.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the middle of last year the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence revealed a piece of very alarming news that over the past 10 years more than $1,000 million had been spent by the Government just to create a large number of educated illiterates. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, these illiterates mainly came from English schools with a non-English speaking family background. If this is so and if in future more and more parents send their children to English schools, will it not result in a situation in which more and more money will have to be spent to create still more illiterates? This is the state of affairs which is causing alarm and concern among the people. Sir, that parents expect their children to grow up into celebrities is understandable. If there could be a Muhammad Ali in Singapore, I believe our parents would also want to send their children to some boxing school. What corrective measure does the Ministry have to rectify such an incorrect choice by parents? Sir, UNESCO conducted a certain survey of certain countries which were ex-colonies. The report of the survey revealed that those countries which, since their independence, still continue to adopt the language of their former suzerain power as a medium of education, despite spending millions of dollars are still lagging far behind in social and economic development as compared with other countries whose educational medium is their mother tongue, or with countries which pay equal importance to their mother tongue and the former colonial language. They opined that modern educational system should contribute towards the economic, social and cultural development of a country.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a supplementary question. If a student's home environment is not conducive to his learning the language in a particular language stream, under our bilingual policy is it possible for him to learn more in the language in which he is proficient?”
“(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 1107. (5) That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 1111.”
“Sir, in view of the detailed reply and assurance given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement:-”
“As a result of this statement the school inspectors in charge of second language teaching are very worried. So they visit all the various Chinese schools, not with the purpose of advising the teachers how to raise the standard of English as the second language but to tell the teachers, "My superior has pulled me up, so I must pull you up in turn." How can such an attitude be justified? This is not a proper attitude for school inspectors to take. They cannot just pull up teachers like that. What they should do is to advise the teachers and guide them as to how to improve the standard of English as the second language in Chinese schools, and thus achieve the objective of bilingualism. I hope the Minister will look into this matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 1105 (The amendment also stood in the names of Messrs L. P. Rodrigo and Ho See Beng). Sir, recently a number of mathematics and science teachers in secondary schools have complained about the attitude of some specialist inspectors. In Chinese secondary schools both science and mathematics are taught in English, and the textbooks are also in English. Most of the teachers of such subjects are graduates of Nanyang University. Although the Nanyang graduates are bilingual, they are not very much at home in the use of the English language because English has been their second language throughout their primary, secondary and university education. So they are not as proficient in English as they are in Chinese, which is their first language. This deficiency is especially seen when they come across technical terms and difficult words in the teaching of these subjects. Therefore, in order to make their students understand better, they intermix their explanations in Chinese. Unfortunately some specialist inspectors seem to prefer to assess the proficiency of such teachers in the English language, which is their second language, instead of the benefits to their students. These inspectors forget that these teachers came from the Chinese stream. So they "split hairs" over the standard of English of these teachers. This is very regrettable, Sir, and I hope the Minister will seriously look into this matter. The next matter I wish to raise is the public statement by the Minister for Education that Chinese as the second language in the English stream has reached a higher standard than English as the second language in the Chinese stream.”
“Sir, in view of the Minister's clarification, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, earlier on the Minister for Education mentioned that the discretion of limited corporal punishment has been given to principals and senior teachers. I do not know whether he realises a situation like this. If there are 50 or 60 teachers in charge of 1,000 students, is that not better than having only one or two senior teachers to control the whole student population in the school? Of course, I will answer in the affirmative - it is better to allow all the 50 or 60 teachers to control the students, as the effect of their control will be more evident. I have already given my reasons for such a situation.”
“Their education is basically a failure. So this is the apple cart of the West. Why should we fall into the rut? Sir, if we do not want to degenerate and embark upon the path of self-destruction, if we really want to save our future generations from the ills of the West and to uphold our oriental cultural virtues, then as a teacher myself, I would like to suggest to the Minister for Education that he restores erstwhile good methods of teaching and controlling the students and allows the teachers the discretion to impose limited corporal punishment as and when necessary and then to report such punishment to the parents and the principals. Perhaps, such discretion could be experimented over a period before we conduct a review on it. In fact, according to history and my personal experience as a school teacher over twenty years, I have not heard of any case about a teacher beating up a student to death, not even since the days of Adam and Eve. Sir, I read in the English newspaper this morning about a teacher beating up a student who had to be sent to the hospital for treatment. I believe that it is because the Ministry of Education has not given the discretion to the teachers to impose limited corporal punishment. So since teachers are not allowed to carry a cane in class and when students misbehave, some teachers may lose their head and give a tight slap with their bare hands, thereby resulting in the student being hospitalised.”
“As a result, students are at complete liberty to act as they please and teachers do not have even the discretion of limited corporal punishment or taking limited action against students. That being so, it has made the students lose any respect or fear for their teachers. 5.15 p.m. Furthermore, some spoilt children or even pampered students complain to their parents over the slightest admonishment. The parents will then take up the matter with the school. Then the officials of the Ministry of Education will pounce on the teachers on receipt of the complaints without any further detailed investigation into the complaints. Under such circumstances, teachers are always threatened by parents and the Ministry of Education and they find it very difficult to discharge their duties as teachers, particularly control over unruly students. So some teachers take the passive attitude of just teaching without trying to control the students- if the students want to go astray, let them go astray; why should I care? That is the attitude and so there is lack of control over students and an absence of respect for the teachers. Sir, since the students do not have even the slightest idea that due respect is to be given to the teachers, how do you expect them to receive instruction or guidance from the teachers? Sir, while we admit that we can learn from the West of its advanced technology in order to improve our standards, we should not copy everything wholesale from the West. For example, while materially we have yet to learn the advanced science and technology, educationally there is little good to benefit from the West where the children are pampered and doted upon by their parents to such excessiveness that the children can go their own way. They even become Beatles and take to drugs.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1105*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Teong Eng Siong, Sia Khoon Seong and Ho Kah Leong.) Sir, in the Addendum to the President's Speech it is said that: `The education system will be restructured by stages with the objective of reducing educational wastage, improving teaching and learning, and increasing the supply of trained manpower.' Under the direction of the Minister for Education the restructuring of our education system has already been carried out partially. But in my opinion there is one very important aspect of education which concerns the future of our country, our social order and the happiness of our children and our children's children. I feel that this particular aspect should also be included in the restructuring of our education system. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the past, respect for the teachers was quite evident in Singapore. This was because the teachers were able to show not only kindness but also able to exercise authority and the students were also alert. Under this awe-inspiring authority of the teachers lazy students had no choice but work hard and to behave properly. But today the situation is totally different. We have even cases of students beating up teachers, much less giving any respect due to the teachers. Such students are allowed to remain at large. Why should it be allowed to deteriorate to such a stage? It is because some of our education policy makers believe too much in the laissez faire policy of the West. Teachers do not have the discretion to impose corporal punishment on students. If any teacher should dare to do so he will face the risk of losing his job.”
“So how does one explain this discrepancy? Sir, I support the amendment moved by the Member for Katong.”
“I would therefore suggest to the Ministry of Education that henceforth results of the secondary school examinations should not be published in the newspapers. This practice should be abolished. I would, however, concede that the publication of the results of very outstanding students may continue, because it will then give encouragement to our students. Finally, Sir, I would like to touch on the question of Chinese stream Secondary IV students entering pre-U classes. In the case of the Chinese schools, those who desire to continue their studies in the upper secondary classes will only be allowed to join the classes after their results are known, so as to assess whether they possess the minimum standard of qualification specified by the Ministry of Education. So students wishing to join upper secondary classes have to wait for two to three months. And this year because the Secondary IV results were announced only in March, our poor students had to wait for nearly four months before they can enter the upper secondary classes to further their studies. We concede that it takes considerable time to mark the examination papers. But we must not forget that at the same time Secondary IV students in the English stream are allowed to join the upper secondary classes on the strength of the results of the preliminary examinations conducted by the schools. And after the official announcement of their results, they may either continue if their results meet the entry requirements specified by the Ministry of Education or drop out if they do not meet such requirements. Since this is allowed in the English stream, I wonder why it cannot be allowed in the Chinese stream. Sir, the Government has always been saying that all the four streams of education are treated equally.”
“In this way, every child in Singapore will be able to enjoy the opportunity of a good education in better equipped surroundings and school buildings Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to bring up another matter, and that is in relation to the announcement of results of secondary and higher secondary school examinations in the newspapers. The results of the Primary School Leaving Examination are not normally published in the newspapers. Notwithstanding this, cases have been known where unsuccessful PSLE students have left their homes or their families. The results of Secondary IV and Pre-U or HSC examinations, however, are announced in the newspapers. As a result of such public announcement, some unsuccessful candidates would develop an inferiority complex by not seeing their names together with their classmates' in the newspapers. They feel that they are put in a very poor light, and are more or less put to public shame, so to speak. In such circumstances, those unsuccessful candidates who do not have a strong sense of morale would simply lose face and would even do very foolish things, unpleasant or even unfortunate. This is regrettable. I would therefore suggest that we cease the publication of examination results. The results can only be made known to all the candidates, including those from the Adult Education Board, by the school authorities or the AEB. Private candidates can be directly notified of their results through the post by the Ministry of Education. There is, therefore, no apparent need for the results of these examinations to be published in the newspapers, because such announcement may cause an unnecessary blow to unsuccessful candidates, at least psychologically.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in recent years the Ministry of Education has wielded the big axe in implementing the restructuring of our education system and introduction of new teaching methods. Such measures are not only necessary but also welcome. This is because, unlike other fields, education cannot remain as it has always been. We cannot teach new ideas with old methods. Teaching methods must be formulated to suit the needs of the country and changing circumstances. Only in this way can we bring forth a generation to meet the needs of the changing times in our country. But the new education system now being vigorously implemented should also cater for the objective need for adequate school buildings and other facilities, in addition to good quality teachers. Only in this way can we achieve maximum results. Sir, small schools in the rural areas have very little space. Their simple buildings are very old and dilapidated, and there is a total lack of facilities. In such circumstances, we can apply the saying which goes, "You may have the best cook, but he cannot cook without adequate ingredients." I, therefore, suggest that small schools in the rural areas should be amalgamated into larger schools. 2.45 p.m. The Ministry of Education should treat all schools alike and give the best possible financial aid to all the amalga mated schools. It is only through an amalgamation of the small schools that we can ensure a certain standard of facilities and school buildings for the rural areas. It will then be in keeping with the implementation of the new education system.”
“Sir, in view of the clear explanation of the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, if we give priority to dwellers of dilapidated attap houses, it does not mean that when these families move out, their houses cannot be used any more even if they are on private land. I believe the Government can resort to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act to acquire the land. That is a very simple way to solve the problem, and it will not give the private landowners any opportunity to speculate. Is that not quite right?”
“HDB flat dwellers are allowed to apply for bigger flats whereas the attap house dwellers who do not have a decent accommodation are not given priority for flats. So I hope the Minister can give special consideration to the attap house dwellers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 11O5*. (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ong Teng Cheong). Sir, at present there are many people living in attap houses in the rural or suburban areas. Some of them have applied for HDB flats. In the meantime before flats are allotted to them, they have applied for permission to repair their attap houses, but the landowners did not give their approval. In his reply to the Member for Jurong just now, the Minister said that even if landowners did not give their approval for repairs, the village dwellers could carry on with the necessary repairs. So I think half of my problem has been solved. I understand that these attap houses may not last for another 10 or 20 years. Now if there are people who live in dilapidated attap houses, can they be given priority for HDB flats? Again, if after these attap house dwellers have moved in to the HDB flats, would the authorities put such attap houses in the category of premises which cannot be rented or sold? If so, I think the landlord or the attap house owner may not be too unreasonable or cruel to the tenant by refusing him permission to repair or attempting to evict him. This would be good to both landowner and tenant so that the landowner would not be overbearing on the tenant or not allowing him to do this or that. 6.15 p.m. Sir, we all know that many people who live in very clean HDB fiats have applied for larger flats because their families have grown bigger, and their applications have been approved. What 1 regret is that the Government or the HDB has approved such applications.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister said just now that applications for repairs to houses would be given sympathetic consideration. I would like to know whether in the case where the land is private land and the landowner refuses to approve or endorse the application for repairs, I would like to know whether the repairs can still be carried out.”
“Sir, before I withdraw my amendment, I would like to express the hope that the Minister would advise those pompous, bureaucratic and haughty civil servants to be more courteous to our people and to look after their interest with some sincerity and sympathy. I believe that the civil servants in the Ministry of National Development also have some kindness in their heart. With that, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“But before any alternative accommodation could be allocated to them, the authorities concerned had already forced them to sign documents to move out. Perhaps the Minister concerned does not fully understand the difficulties of the rural people.”
“If the authorities concerned could notify the respective Members of Parliament in advance about any removal or plan for development to be carried out, then things would be much better and results can be achieved with half the effort. This would be similar to the practice of PUB, where it would notify the consumers concerned before cutting off electricity and water supplies. If this arrangement could be adopted by the Ministry, the Member of Parliament concerned can also assist the Ministry or the constituents to solve their problems so that both sides concerned can cooperate and the task can be carried out smoothly. This would save much time and trouble for all. I hope the Ministry of National Development will follow the example of the PUB or PWD so that in the implementation of any future development or resettlement schemes, the authorities concerned would notify the MP concerned in advance and cooperate with him in order to help solve or expedite the matter. There is another point. Recently some of my constituents have been asked to remove because the site was required by the HDB for a housing development.”
“The occupiers suddenly received orders to remove by a certain date and time as specified. They were unable to remove to a suitable place immediately. They have been depending on the use of their buildings for a livelihood and if they cannot find alternative accommodation to carry on with their business operations, their livelihood will be in jeopardy. In fact, the development plans of the Ministry of National Development for the various constituencies relate to the promotion of social and economic interests of the whole country. At the same time they are aimed at improving the living environment of the people. This had originally been well-received by all the people generally. However, what is bad is the urgent order to quit, which is inhuman. We reckon that the Ministry of National Development should at least first arrange for alternative accommodation for those who are required to quit under urgent orders, and they would surely have accepted it. In this way, the development plans of the Ministry could be carried out smoothly. Moreover, the people affected will also not have any complaints against the Government. If the Ministry continues to disregard the feelings of the people and persists in cowing the people by decrees which they have to obey, it will not be to anybody's advantage. Our system is a one-man-one-vote democracy. I believe the Ministry of National Development will not want to turn it into a one-man-one-gun society. Sir, finally I would like to touch upon the development plans of the various constituencies. Perhaps we all know that many constituents on receiving notices to quit would go to their respective Members of Parliament for advice. But the MPs themselves are kept in the dark about such notices.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1004*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Ang Nam Piau, P. Govindaswamy, L. P. Rodrigo, Cheong Yuen Chee and Ong Teng Cheong). Sir, the President mentioned in his speech that there would be much in 1975 to keep Members busy. It is fitting and honourable for us to be given the opportunity of having a greater share in the affairs of our country. We sincerely accept this noble piece of encouragement. However, it cannot be denied that for any kind of work to succeed, a stable, reasonable and cooperative environment is necessary. A Member of Parliament is the representative of the people in his constituency. So it is reasonable to expect him to serve the electorate; in fact, it is his duty to do so. However, there are many matters which, with adequate cooperation from Government officials concerned, we could save a lot of trouble and be able to make more and better contribution. In the past there was a period when officers of various departments under the Ministry of National Development had shown some degree of courtesy toward members of the public. But in recent years there have been criticisms again that officers in that Ministry have resumed their old weakness and have become bureaucratic again. Their attitude now is even worse than before. This is most regrettable. For instance, the Ministry of National Development has been issuing decrees to tenants ordering them to remove within a given time. No sympathetic consideration was given. There are some small-scale industries, cottage industries and store houses which have been in existence for a few decades.”
“Sir, just now I heard the Minister for Culture saying that the People's Association does not discriminate against the various constituencies. I was not happy to hear that. Originally I had no intention to talk on this topic as I thought that the People's Association is a piece of rotten wood that cannot be used for carving, and there is no remedy to it. But, after having heard what my colleagues had said about the People's Association, I have got to stand up to support them. In my constituency there is a small-sized community centre, the Bartley Community Centre. In 1970 when the community centre was set up, the place was already dilapidated. The planks were about to collapse. So we decided to raise funds to rebuild it. After a certain amount had been raised, we heard nothing more from the People's Association. We then asked for permission to "tender", but there was no news. Five years have already passed. But still I did not want to talk about it, because I want to see how long is the People's Association going to delay this matter. I believe that if the Bartley Community Centre were in a Minister's constituency, then if a centre was asked for by tomorrow, it would already have been built by yesterday.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, before listening to the Finance Minister's reply I then had a certain prejudice against him. But now after having heard his reply, I would like to withdraw what I had said earlier about him. I refer to the two matters which I had touched upon regarding our Minister for Finance as a senior officer during the colonial time and that the budget formulated by him was slanted towards supporting the capitalists. These remarks I would now like to withdraw. These are the two points directed at the Minister for Finance which would appear to be disrespectful to him. So I would like to withdraw. I express my appreciation of his explanation, and I hope the Minister for Finance will excuse me in a most generous way. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [Mr Hon Sui Sen]. Adjourned accordingly at Five minutes to Eight o'clock p.m. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS LIBRARY SERVICE 1. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Culture if he will give (i) the number, age and qualifications of offices in the various grades of the Library Service who resigned in 1974 and in hte first two months of 1975; and (ii) the number of approved posts and the number of posts vacant in the various grades of that Service on 1st March, 1975.”
“Therefore, if the Minister could use more sophisticated computers to do more sophisticated calculations and if he could be more charitable and be more generous to the end, he could more heartily announce that those who attain the age of 70 and are still fit and allowed to work, the tax relief for earned income would be increased to $5,000, and for those who have the art of longevity, living up to 80 years or over and are still allowed to work, they should be regarded as national treasures and be totally exempted from earned income tax. In addition, they should be given a free trip round the world. Does this not go to show that the Minister is more charitable, generous and is more concerned with the welfare of the elderly people? I believe that all the elderly people perhaps will bless him and pray everyday for his longevity. From these two points that I have raised, it could be seen that the Budget has only made provision for the benefit of the capitalists, the wealthy people and the Minister himself. 6.07 p.m.”
“If I could represent our elderly people, I would convey my heartfelt gratitude to the Minister for Finance. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] 6.00 p.m. However, what these elderly people need more is medical care. There are people who have worked and struggled throughout their life to save some money, and when they retire their lifelong hard savings are passed on to the doctor for medical fees within a short period of time. They will then be on the verge of starvation until the day when they are summoned to heaven by the Lord. In this respect, retired teachers in aided schools have gone through such painful experience because, under current regulations on the day an aided school teacher retires he has to give up his Medical Benefits Entitlement Card. Therefore, the raising of tax relief on earned income for the elderly people announced by the Minister is, on the face of it, a token of respect and a most generous gesture. It is just like buying a Big Sweep ticket so that everybody will have the hope of winning a prize. The Hon. Minister has done quite a lot of daily work with his computer. He has the calculation at the tips of his fingers that there are only very few people who are above the stipulated age and working; so his jolly talk, because most of the employees will have to retire at the age of 55. Only those big towkays can carry on working after reaching their retiring age.”
“We know that only the big tycoons and capitalists can afford to own big cars. It does not matter to them how much road tax is increased. Mainly the salaried class in middle and lower income groups own medium-sized and small-sized cars. There are also small businessmen who use their small cars to transport goods and as a means to save labour and time in order to make a meagre profit. In actual fact, to them the car has become a necessity in their work or business and a means of making a living. It is something that they cannot do without. I regret to say that in order to cope with the yearly increasing expenditure, our Hon. Minister for Finance has resorted to increase road tax on the middle and lower income groups. Therefore, the rates of road tax on medium and small-sized cars are more than those on big-sized cars. In the midst of mounting inflation today, this has caused great hardship to these people who earn their living from hand to mouth. No wonder there is widespread discontent and complaint by the people that as the Minister for Finance was an ex-senior civil servant in the colonial era the Budget drafted by him serves only the interests of the capitalists. On another point, in respect of the amount of tax relief as concession to the aged employees, namely those who are over 55 years of age, the amount of relief on earned income is to be increased from the original $1,000 to $2,000. Those who are over 60 will have their earned income tax relief increased from $1,000 to $3,000. The rationale behind this is that people who have reached the retiring age and are still able to work need that much money to keep themselves healthy. This seems plausible. This measure will act as an incentive for elderly people who are more skilled and experienced to go on working.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a Budget statement for any particular fiscal year will be welcomed by members of the public if it is not accompanied by an increase in taxation. However, under normal circumstances, Government expenditure will rise year after year. This increase in expenditure will have to be met by an increase in revenue. It is correct and proper for the Minister for Finance to increase taxes on tobacco and liquor. However, the ways in which taxes are raised and whether the method is right or wrong will have to be discussed by us. Sir, I fully support the Minister in raising the taxes on liquor and tobacco. I would even suggest that there should be a further punitive increase in taxes for these two items because they are bad habits and a waste of money to indulge in. I hope the people will shun these bad habits which are detrimental to health and a waste of money. This will be in line with the Government's recent campaign to promote health among the population. Sir, to increase road tax steeply and the way in which this road tax is increased merits our discussion. At this juncture, we are not going to argue whether owning a car is a luxury or a necessity in this space age. To increase road tax may prevent people from buying new cars and this will help alleviate traffic congestion. However, looking at the different rates of road tax levied on the different types of cars, it seems that the middle and lower income groups will have to bear the brunt of such taxation because, according to the Minister, cars under the 1000 cc range will have their tax increased by 6 cts per cc, those between 1000 cc and 1600 cc will have their tax in creased by 8 cts per cc, and those between 2000 cc and 3000 cc will have their tax increased by 5 cts per cc.”
“That is enough time for me to complete my speech. Just now the Minister said that the senior officer had behaved in such a manner as I have described was because in pursuing his routine work he was harassed by work that he had misbehaved, and by a slip of the tongue he had made such a remark. But there is a Chinese saying that if you are humble enough, you will not bring about such a situation. In other words, the saying means something like this. He who holds a high post and is not arrogant will stay on the high post without the danger of falling down, and complacency invites harm while humility begets benefit. Our Ministry of Education has always adopted the same attitude in dealing with matters. In 1963, when the Prime Minister "slipped into the drain" because of Opposition members, he was still smiling. So we should be humble in facing all questions and dealing with all matters. I am only trying to say that in future our senior officers should try to be humble so that their prospects would be bright. If they could adopt such a humble attitude, this will benefit them greatly in their own future and will also benefit education in Singapore.”
“Sir, just now I said that I wanted a little more time so that I could complete what I wanted to say.”
“Yes, Sir. Although I am not satisfied with the Minister's reply, I am forced to withdraw my amendment because of lack of time. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“But some principals among them had the guts to speak out against the senior official. One of them stood up and tendered his resignation. But instead he was requested to go back to school to become the principal again. Sir, from this incident, we can see that we must inculcate in the senior officials of the Ministry of Education the importance of courtesy and tact in dealing with principals, because if they want to be harsh or hard in dealing with principals, I think they would get a harder reaction from the principals. If they do not show courtesy and tact, the principals will gang up together and send a joint petition to the Minister, or even resign en bloc. In fact, it has happened; a principal tendered his resignation there and then at the meeting. How much embarrassment was caused to the senior official at that meeting? So, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to look into the attitude and public behaviour of senior officials in the Ministry of Education, particularly in their dealings with principals. After all, they are all part and parcel of the entire educational system. There should be proper communication and harmony between officials in the Ministry and principals in the schools. They should not employ high-handed measures and adopt a bureaucratic attitude towards principals in the schools. Sir, I have raised this matter because, although it was brought up by the Member for Henderson, it was not answered. Therefore, I would like to have a definite answer from the Minister concerned.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister has not answered the complaint raised by the Member for Henderson. Since the complaint is also the subject of the next amendment, I will only beg leave to withdraw this amendment after the answer has been given. The Member for Henderson has said that there was a little act of bureaucracy on the part of officers in the Ministry of Education. This is, in fact, the true position, Sir. There are a number of principals who are unhappy over the arrogance of the senior officials of the Ministry of Education, but they do not have the courage to speak up against such arrogance or bureaucracy because, as the Member for Henderson has said, this affects their rice-bowl and, fearing victimisation, they have to eat the humble pie. But, Sir, because of my position, I have heard of such complaints from my colleagues in the course of my teaching duties. I would, therefore, like to have an answer in this House to the question of arrogance on the part of senior officials in the Ministry of Education. Sir, in 1971 the Ministry of Education announced new regulations for the recruitment of principals. Of course, I am not here to speak on the merits or demerits of the principals, but I want to say something with regard to the remarks passed by a senior official of the Ministry of Education at a certain meeting. This official more or less challenged the principals attending the meeting, saying that if they were not happy because they were not paid any charge allowance or post allowance they could give up their posts of principals and go back to teaching. If such arrogant words could be uttered by a senior official in the Ministry of Education, it is tantamount to compelling principals to rise in rebellion.”
“I believe that the Board of Governors of the aided schools will be only too happy to agree to this move. Furthermore, education is an important life-line in the survival of a country, and it should by right be the overall responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Only in this way can the development and reform of education be possible on a comprehensive basis. Sir, the request of aided school teachers for medical benefits after their retirement should also be considered.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head PA be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AA 1004*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Sia Khoon Seong, P. Govindaswamy, Ho Kah Leong, Ch'ng Jit Koon and Lai Tha Chai.) Sir, sometime this year there was a report in the newspaper that two Government aided schools had merged into one. This newspaper report made me feel that the Government should go a step further by taking full responsibility for the improvement of accommodation and facilities of aided schools. Consideration should also be given to the absorption of aided school teachers into the public service. This will break the psychological barrier between Government teachers and non-Government teachers. This is important because Singapore depends on its manpower resources for its development and survival. Sir, in educational circles, it is quite common for Government teachers to have a superiority complex over non- Government teachers. As a result, some good teachers from the Government aided schools rush to apply for transfer or absorption into the Government education service in order to raise their status and reputation. As a matter of fact, it will not be much of a problem or difficulty to absorb Government aided school teachers into the public service because for the past 20 years the Government has been paying the salaries of the aided school teachers and expenses of aided schools, including CPF contributions. So it is just a matter of procedure to absorb aided school teachers into the public service. Sir, with the increased expenditure on aided schools, I feel that the Government should also have a greater control over aided schools.”
“Sir, the Minister for Finance has said in his reply, by way of a challenge, that he might consider the possibility of reducing the personal relief for income tax. I would like to ask the Minister for Finance this question. Does he accept the fact that the recommendations of the NWC are reasonable? I feel that the answer must be in the affirmative because he has already accepted the NWC recommendation for the payment of a $25 special allowance to those whose incomes are below $1,000. My point is: since the NWC is aware of the difficulties of those earning below $1,000 and even for those who earn as much as $975, then if the income of $1,000 is used as a yardstick for the maintenance of a family, it means that the family will have an income of at least $12,000 per annum. Then allowing for deductions for personal relief, reliefs for wife and children, what is the total amount of relief for a family with an annual income of $12,000? It is my hope that in the next financial year the Minister for Finance would increase the amount for personal relief instead of reducing it. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“The employers submit the annual returns on the incomes of their employees. Therefore, it is impossible for them to evade any payment of taxes. On the other hand, the business houses in the private sector could look for loopholes in the Income Tax Act to evade payment of taxes. The Minister should plug these loopholes and see that there is no evasion of tax and should not ask the poor wage earners to pay unduly heavy taxes. It can be done unless the staff of the Income Tax Department do not want to enforce the relevant provisions of the law. The evasion of taxes by businessmen can be stopped.”
“Why is it that teachers had their medical leave allowance back-dated to only the 1st of October, 1973, whereas civil servants were more generously treated as they had their allowance back-dated to the 1st January, 1973? What is the rationale behind this? Teachers have complained as to why our Minister for Finance should treat them differently. They were treated like step-children by the Minister for Finance. Sir, about two weeks ago when we had a debate on the Budget Statement, quite a number of Members spoke at length on the subject of personal relief from income tax. I do not want to dwell on this any more, but just to air my views concerning the reply given by the Minister on this subject. In his reply the Minister said that he had carefully considered the question of raising the amount of personal relief from income tax, but he said that if the request was acceded to, it would lead to increased expenditure in the other sectors. Therefore, he was of the opinion that it was not feasible at this stage to increase the amount of personal relief. The fact that the Minister had now re-assessed this subject shows that the amount of personal relief, which was fixed about 20 years ago, is already out of date and inappropriate in the light of present developments and inflationary trends. If the amount of personal relief is increased, it would result in the reduction of revenue. But what I would like to ask the Minister is whether he has considered the possibility of getting those who are able and those who are well-off to bear the burden of taxation. We all know that the general run of wage earners is that they are living in difficulties. Their incomes are small and therefore it is not reasonable to tax them any further.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head OA be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AA 1004*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs N. Govindasamy, Cheong Yuen Chee, P. Govindaswamy and Lai Tha Chai.) Sir, when the Government announced that all civil servants, including employees of statutory boards and aided school teachers, clerical staff and servants could opt for a reduced medical leave and in return compensated with a monetary allowance or Leave Allow- ance, everyone was very happy. The civil servants were paid their allowance last year, whereas the teachers were paid only at the beginning of this year. It is immaterial as to whether the allowance was actually paid out earlier or later. But what is unreasonable and unfair is that the conversion to leave allowance for teachers and other teaching staff was back-dated to the 1st of November last year, whereas that for the other civil servants was back-dated to the 1st of January, 1973. We know that the salaries of civil servants in the various grades vary according to their qualifications and experience. Hence, there are salary scales for general Pass degree holders, professionals and non-professionals, skilled workers and non-skilled workers. There are different salary scales for different qualifications, and we have no quarrel about this. However, in the payment of an extra allowance which is given more or less for the same reason, then all of them should be equally treated. There should not be any discrimination. For example, take the reduced medical leave allowance. All of us have traded our sick leave for a certain sum of money as allowance in return. It has nothing to do with academic qualifications or experience.”
“Sir, on the question of medical services, the Minister said just now that there is a shortage of doctors in Singapore. I would like to ask the Minister whether he is prepared to consider allowing Chinese physicians to serve our people in the hospitals. Dr Ong Leong Boon: Sir, I brought this subject up because he happened to be the Minister for Health. If he were the Minister in charge of architects, engineers or lawyers, I would have brought up the same topic under the pertinent Head. I raised this point because I feel that there is a real case for us to give careful and thoughtful consideration. And I thought that it would be helpful to him as the Minister for Health. It was not my intention to be an alarmist. I have quoted figures. The Minister has very cleverly reduced these figures and felt somehow that one should not be alarmed. I hope he is proven right. He has raised a number of points and it is a pity that I do not have time to reply to them. I thank the Minister for mentioning the Ministry's care and concern about housing and his assurance that he will look into this problem further. The second point is that he would proceed to encourage more students, and in the coming year I shall be watching it very carefully. As for incentive programmes and traineeship programmes to keep doctors in service, I beg to disagree with him. In actual fact, a number of doctors who have elected for higher training have resigned and have refunded to the Health Ministry whatever amount they were given initially for further training.”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $5,566,080 for Head LJ ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $5,598,900 for Head LJ ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Pursuant to a resolution of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker thereupon left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.”