Teo Chong Tee
Singapore
“Sir, may I be allowed to express my heartfelt thanks to the Ministers for Communications, especially Dr Yeo Ning Hong and Mr Mah Bow Tan, and all the various transport authorities, for finally agreeing to bring the MRT extension line to Changi Airport after nine long years. [Applause].”
“Sir, may I ask the Senior Minister of State for Education whether he is aware that there is a growing population in Simei Estate, in particular, and there are a lot of young children who are now in our PCF kindergarten education centres? So we see a need for a primary school to be built within the Simei Housing Estate.”
“Having heard the Minister of State's reply, I have got a supplementary question. Why is the extension line not planned to go beyond the passenger terminals to the airline cargo complexes and engineering complexes where there are several thousand workers who are also dependent on public transport?”
“In view of the above circumstances, may I request the Minister to, firstly, consider reviewing the rules on the forfeiture of the security bond to protect the interest of the Singaporean employers and, secondly, consider allowing Singaporean employers whose maid has run away to employ another maid without delay while they search for the m…”
“Given the emotive element of this issue, it would be helpful if Singaporeans are informed of its progress from time to time and the approximate time-frame for the implementation of the committee's recommendation. Sir, I would appreciate it if the Minister would consider this suggestion.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply and beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $51,364,070 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $257,500 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
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“So I hope that the Minister for Health can tell us whether his Ministry has any solution to this shortage of manpower. Whenever we mention "Woodbridge Hospital", many people will laugh. They take this as a laughing stock. This is actually the perception of our people towards mental patients. From the various signs before us, the mental patients are not readily acceptable by society. It is very cruel. They are people who are being left behind. For the mental patients themselves, they feel that there is a stigma on them. They will not dare to face reality, neither will they have the courage to speak to others. In fact, some of them did not even dare to seek treatment. Many of them failed in their studies, they could not pursue a career, and sometimes even their families desert them, and they frequently have problems with their finances. If we treasure our human resources and treat these as our only resources in Singapore, I feel we should pay more attention to these mental patients. I understand that in our society, out of every five persons, there is one who would suffer some form of mental disease in his life time, be it depression, anxiety or nervous breakdown. But I understand that every year there are two to three thousand new mental patients. On the front page of the Lianhe Zaobao today, it is reported that there are some thousands of students needing psychiatric care. This is perhaps due to too much pressure exerted on them by the family. But I believe the pressure also comes from society.”
“Sir, some months ago, the Minister for Health publicly announced that a new hospital will be built in Simei Estate which is within Changi Constituency. Although, generally, the people living in the eastern sector of Singapore will welcome the construction of the hospital away from the city area, many of my residents living in Simei Estate, in particular, have expressed their concern about the proposed hospital which is being planned to be built in this estate. They fear that the hospital will be built too close to their dwelling apartments. I would like to request the Minister to take into consideration my residents' fear and concern with regard to the planning of the hospital for this estate. Sir, may I ask the Minister what are the reasons for selecting Simei Estate as the site for the new hospital? I would appreciate it if the Minister could enlighten the House with a more detailed plan of the hospital and the type of services it will be providing to the general public. May I also ask the Minister whether or not the Changi Hospital, which is also in my constituency, will be closed when the new hospital is completed? Mr Choo Wee Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, the View Road Hospital is a hospital for mental patients. It is not well known to many people. It is for patients who need to have a long period of recuperation. With the new Woodbridge Hospital being developed, I would like to know what is the Ministry going to do with the View Road Hospital. Sir, this View Road Hospital reminds me of mental disease and also all the facilities that are lacking in a mental hospital. To the best of my understanding, we are greatly short of experts in the field of mental diseases.”
“Sir, I believe in the final analysis, education both at home and at school is the answer to the problem of dirty public toilets. In the short term, campaigns and enforcement actions will be necessary. Perhaps, the Minister could shed some light on his Ministry's views about the latest conditions of our public toilets.”
“Some can earn as much as a few thousand dollars a month, as reported in the press not so long ago, and you can be sure that there is no income tax. The public has, therefore, every right to demand a better service. So enforcement actions should be taken against recalcitrant operators who do not keep their toilets clean. Sir, discussing in Parliament something as private as people's bad toilet habits may sound trivial and out of place. It is also washing our dirty linen in public. But I feel that it is something very fundamental and important in our quest for a more caring and gracious society. Sir, in the high-tech society of today, it is possible for all our public toilets to be fitted with automatic sensor-operated flush valves. The technology is already here, and I believe we have the means to do it. Maybe we should start with Government departments, statutory boards, institutions of higher learning and schools. The present practice of flushing the whole row of urinals, (here I am referring to what happens in a male toilet of course), when only one is used, with treated water fit for drinking, is indeed wasteful, if not sinful when water is a precious commodity in Singapore. Sometimes, it is also not practical to do so. An unfortunate member of the public can be booked for not flushing the urinal after use through no fault of his. This is because if the water in the common tank has just been emptied by a previous user, there is not sufficient water for him to work the cistern. And it is not practical nor fair to expect him just to stand there for the cistern to fill up! Moreover, the idea that you might be watched while you are doing something so private as emptying your bladder is indeed quite revolting.”
“Sir, the next subject is quite interesting - public toilets. I would like to bring up a rather unpalatable but important subject, that is, the conditions in our public toilets today. As everybody is aware, the standard of our public toilets has never been something Singaporeans can crow about. Sir, after a bout of bad publicity, campaigns, coupled with enforcement actions, the situation improved somewhat. However, of late, it seems we are slowly going back to square one. I must add here, of course, that the general standards of cleanliness in most established restaurants have improved quite significantly. But the same cannot be said of toilets in many shopping centres or those located in HDB market and food centres. From my personal experience and from what I have gathered from others, the situations in these toilets are still quite deplorable. Now these toilets charge a fee, albeit only 10 cents per entry. Therefore, one would expect a more decent service. But no, Sir, the individual toilet rooms are not even supplied with toilet paper. One has to request for it at the paying counter! Quite an embarrassing experience for many, realising at the critical moment that there is no toilet paper in the room and having to dash out to ask for it. Worse still, when he returns, he may find that the toilet is now occupied by another person and all the other rooms are also being engaged. Yes, one can always argue that the bad shape many of our public toilets are in today should be ascribed to the users. Well, this is fair enough to a large extent. But, ultimately, the onus to keep the place clean rests on the shoulder of the operator who charges a fee. And today, operating public toilets can be a very lucrative business.”
“Consumers will be reluctant to buy left over, or refrigerated poultry from the market stallholders. This is because if consumers are prepared to go for refrigerated birds, they would more likely than not turn to the established supermarkets instead of the wet markets. With their sophisticated facilities and date-stamping, it is obvious that the big supermarkets will have an advantage over the small time hawkers in the wet markets. Sir, when the new policy is carried out in a great hurry, both the stallholders and the consumers will be the losers. The stallholders' business will be affected, and the consumers will not only have to pay more but also to be satisfied with something not as wholesome as what they used to get before. Sir, may I therefore suggest that the implementation of the new policy be slowed down somewhat, especially in markets which are not located in the river and catchment areas. Perhaps, a few markets outside the catchment could be designated as mini-abattoirs. This will ensure that at least there will be markets in Singapore where consumers can go to for freshly slaughtered birds. The zeal with which the new policy is being carried out could be misconstrued by some as the Government's bias towards helping the big time businesses - in this case the running of big abattoirs - and the driving in of the death nail to small time businesses. Sir, I hope the Minister could consider my suggestions.”
“Sir, the next subject I am touching on is slaughtering of poultry in wet markets. There is a new policy on this. May I first state that personally I do not object to the phasing out of poultry slaughtering in wet markets. To do so would be going against our concerted effort to create a cleaner and greener environment for the benefit of all Singaporeans and for visitors. It cannot be denied that the present practice of the stallholders contributes much to the problem of environmental pollution. Wet, dirty and smelly floors; drains choked with feathers and droppings, are a common sight at the poultry stalls in the wet markets. Sir, in spite of what I have just said, however, I cannot accept without reservation the manner and speed with which the Ministry is going about implementing the new policy. The stallholders and the public were informed of the policy barely seven months ago. Yet the implementation will take place in April this year, affecting about 80 stallholders in 11 markets for a start. Total phasing out of the slaughtering of poultry will be accomplished by the end of 1992. This will indeed affect about 600 stalls in more than a hundred markets. The speed and scale of the exercise will surely cause inconvenience to both the stallholders and consumers. Some stallholders will even experience hardship. Stallholders will now have to either send their poultry to licensed abattoirs or buy slaughtered birds from them. This will entail not only extra time but cost as well. Also, unsold birds will have to be properly refrigerated. This will not only incur initial capital investment but recurring extra expenditure as well. Moreover, it is quite certain that their business will take a dip.”
“Some have refused to swing-fog the upper floor or even the backyard of houses when requested by the owners to do so. I would also like to ask the Minister whether or not it is true that the Ministry would only respond to reported cases of Aedes mosquito menace when this is confirmed by the virology lab of the Singapore General Hospital. I hope the Minister can shed some light on the matter. Maybe we should not spend too much time trying to argue who should accept more responsibility for the recent outbreak of the dengue haemorrhagic fever - the people or the Government? What is more important now is to provide the public with more information on the problem and get them to work hand in glove with the authority to stamp out the mosquito menace.”
“The resettled families often leave behind pots and pans and other containers which collect water. Because of earth works, one can often see puddles formed in such areas after a heavy shower. The utensils left behind and the puddles provide excellent beds for the Aedes to breed. And if a housing estate is unfortunate enough to be located near such a place, one can easily understand the plight of the residents. Greater attention, therefore, should be paid to such cases. Sir, we have been given to understand that many residents whose premises are infested by mosquitoes do not allow thermal fogging to be carried out by Environment officers within their houses. This is quite a serious obstacle in our fight against the mosquitoes. The reason for their refusal must be studied and a solution sought. Is their uncooperative attitude due to fear of being stigmatised by their immediate neighbours, or due to their ignorance or due to some other reasons? Have the Environment officers done enough to clearly explain to the affected residents about thermal fogging? Is thermal fogging a health hazard? Does the smoke contain poisonous gas which is harmful to their health and even to that of their pets? Many residents also fear that fogging may stain or damage their furniture, curtains and other household items. Unless the residents are fully informed of the side-effects of fogging to health and properties, and the precautionary measures to take, if necessary, it would be very difficult for Environment officers to get their cooperation which is most essential in helping to eradicate the mosquito menace. Sir, on the other hand, I understand that some Environment officers themselves are not very cooperative.”
“Sir, the recent major outbreak of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever in Singapore, which has claimed a number of lives, is causing much unease and fear among many Singaporeans. Although dengue fever, which is caused by the disease-bearing Aedes mosquitoes, is common in our tropics, it is quite unexpected for it to break out in such a big way in ultra-modern Singapore. It is alarming to learn that in 1990 alone there were 1,733 reported cases. Sir, many are quite puzzled by the scale of the recent mosquito scare. What has gone wrong? Has the Ministry of the Environment become too relaxed or complacent in their war against the mosquito menace? Or is it due to some other reasons? These are the questions many concerned Singaporeans are asking. From the media reports, it seems that the main culprits responsible for the outbreak are the residents living in private housing estates, particularly in the eastern part of Singapore. One is given to understand that many of these houses are mosquito-breeding grounds. But is this really the case? Is it fair to put the blame on the people living in such estates or is it fair to blame the general public, just because a few water-bearing containers with mosquito larvae have been found in their homes? Or is it due more to choked drains and gutters caused by fallen dried leaves or is it due to broken culverts which are often badly clogged up with branches of dead leaves, discarded plastic bags and other litters that stagnant water collects in them, resulting in mosquito breeding? And during heavy downpours, water from these drains would run into their houses! Sir, another common mosquito-breeding ground is the areas where residents have been resettled due to public or private land redevelopment.”
“Although their use has not been made mandatory, many hawkers are still using them because these hawkers do not want to incur the displeasure of hawker inspectors. In view of our emphasis on 'Green Life', shall we now advise hawkers not to use disposable crockery and cutlery, including disposable chopsticks? Mr Chairman, Sir, would the Minister also enlighten the House as to whether there is any plan to encourage HDB flat dwellers to separate their domestic refuse and deposit it in separate refuse receptacles, which can be placed at the void decks. Wastepapers, plastics and metal cans which will not give out foul smell or attract ants or other insects can be deposited in such 'recycling receptacles'. Residents Committees' help can be enlisted to encourage people to take recyclable waste to the 'recycling receptacles' at the void decks instead of throwing it down the rubbish chutes.”
“Sir, we all know that one way of conserving nature and helping to slow down the depletion of the ozone layer is to recycle waste. Papers, plastics, metals and glass, for example, can all be quite easily recycled. What is needed is to encourage local entrepreneurs to be involved in the process, with the Government taking the lead. Government departments and statutory boards can, for example, start by using recycled stationery. Big supermarket chains, like the NTUC, can also help by using recycled PVC bags and by not over packaging their commodities. Ultimately, however, we must find ways and means to drive home to every Singaporean the serious consequences the human race will face if materials like papers, plastics, metals, etc, are gobbled up in large quantities without them being recycled. Sir, people can be constantly reminded of some of the simple but shocking facts which I would like to quote from a Newsweek magazine of 21st May 1991. I quote: "It takes 20 trees to keep one baby in disposable diapers for two years. If a picnicker throws away an aluminium can, it will still be littering the earth up to 500 years later. Polystyrene foam is completely non-biodegradable. A used foam coffee cup might still be sitting on the earth's surface 500 years from now. Packaging accounts for one-third of all city wastes by weight and as much as 50% by volume." Such simple facts when drummed into the heads of our young children will most probably remain with them for life and make them environment conscious and nature lovers. Mr Chairman, Sir, not so long ago, hawkers at food centres were advised to use disposable crockery and cutlery, causing much unhappiness among many of them. Of course, this was done for hygiene sake.”
“This attitude, or national character, if you like, is very negative indeed. We have to continue to find ways to instil in every Singaporean that littering is wrong, is anti-social, is self-degrading and shameful. It is a small but important step towards the goal of making every Singaporean regard Singapore as he would regard his home.”
“Sir, protecting our environment is, of course, much more than just looking after the trees and keeping our surrounding litter-free, which somehow, unfortunately, many Singaporeans think is the case. This misconception is hardly surprising. For not much publicity or education has been given to discussing problems of protecting the ozone layer, preventing global warming or caring for nature, for example. In fact, Singapore acceded to the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer only in 1989. Therefore, much sustained effort will be needed in this respect before the general public can be expected to have a proper understanding of the issue. Annual campaigns are useful but far from being adequate. On-going education is needed. And for long term effect, the best place to begin with is the school. School children should be taught from young to realise that man can co-exist with nature while maintaining an affluent society. The conservation of nature and the protection of the environment should have a place in the school curriculum. Sir, talking about the 'clean' part of the "Clean and Green" Singapore, it is sad to say that after all these years of anti-littering campaigns, our beaches, parks, streets, open spaces, cinemas, HDB void decks are still badly littered. Singapore is clean not so much because Singaporeans do not litter; it is clean mainly because we have more than 60 mechanical sweepers which sweep our streets daily, and over 2,000 diligent workers who work 365 days a year to keep Singapore clean. Since the problem of littering has yet to be eradicated, our war against the litter bugs cannot be relaxed. Up to now, it seems many people do not litter because they fear of fines.”
“Sir, the inauguration of the Clean and Green Week in 1990, incorporating the keeping our environment clean with the Tree Planting Day, is indeed a timely and practical move. Since the launching of the Tree Planting Day in 1963, thousands of trees have been planted all over Singapore. Today, the ratio of trees to population in Singapore is 1:4, quite a feat for a modern city state, earning us the accolade of a Clean and Green City internationally. Singapore has become so well known for its greenery that the two off-shore islands in my constituency are attracting elephants from Johor. I hope that they will stop there and not decide to come over to the mainland, nor do I want to see more fearsome animals following the example of the elephants. 4.00 pm Mr Chairman, Sir, maybe it is now more important for us to focus our attention on the proper maintenance of the trees and the protection of the environment. The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of National Development could work closely in this respect. Instead of planting more trees, causing overcrowding in some places, we should upgrade the quality of the trees, replacing those which do not grow well in our climate with those which are more hardy and shady, and at the same time making a greater effort to keep our environment clean. However, there may be a case for more trees to be planted along highways and MRT lines, which have been built too close to residential areas, like HDB estates, to reduce the noise levels in the areas. Many affected residents have complained of noise pollution. Noise absorbing walls may not be a solution, for they will certainly look unsightly, not mentioning the high cost of constructing them. May I therefore call upon the relevant authorities to look into my suggestion.”
“It cannot be said that these people have no views or are less interested in policies affecting their lives. Their reticence should be studied and remedied if we want all Singaporeans to treat Singapore as they would treat their own homes. If certain segments of the population feel unwanted or unimportant, we cannot expect them to have a strong sense of belonging or patriotism for Singapore. Sir, I read with great interest that the two off-shore islands within my constituency, namely, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong, will be developed for industry and high density housing. I also read with greater excitement that a proposed MRT line from mainland Singapore will be extended to serve the two islands. Sir, development will be good for Singapore in general and for Changi in particular. However, one major factor must be seriously considered by the relevant Ministry and department concerned. They must not turn the island into large industrial complexes and HDB estates similar to those on the mainland. As much as possible of the natural habitat should be preserved for our future generations. We have a duty to see to it that the flora and fauna on the islands are not destroyed. As it is, many young children think that the chickens their mother buys are naked creatures coming from supermarkets. Any modern development will, of course, encroach on the natural habitat of the flora and fauna of the locality affected. But care should be taken to minimise the destruction so that the next generation will not be deprived of the pleasure that nature offers. Sir, I support the motion.”
“For some time now, it has been felt that such a unit will help maintain the highest possible standards in our public services. It is a well-known fact that our public service is the most efficient in this part of the world. But the best for others may not be the best for Singaporeans today. And, moreover, there is always room for improvement. Of late, some unhappiness has often been aired by the public in the press and, in particular, at Members of Parliament's meet-the-people sessions. The usual complaints are: civil servants are not very helpful, bureaucratic, uncaring and brusque in their dealings with the public. With better education, people's expectations have gone up and they will not accept services which are less than of the highest quality. As we progress, this is as it should be. However, I hope that the Unit when set up will not become a complaints bureau. A complaints bureau has a negative connotation, giving the public a feeling that many things are wrong. This is, of course, not the case with our public service. What we need is fine-tuning to make our public service not only efficient, but also humane, courteous and polite. Such a service will not only make the public happy but will also boost productivity. Sir, the promotion of greater consultation by the Government in the last few years has worked well. There is a need to involve more people in this process as the population becomes better educated, more cosmopolitan and mature politically. However, when we look back we will notice that participation at feedback sessions and at Select Committees tended to be dominated by the English-educated. The voice of those educated in Chinese, Malay and Tamil is seldom heard.”
“I quote: 'The main result of English education in Singapore and Malaysia, if not compensated with a thorough Chinese education at home or elsewhere, is the uprooting of the Chinese humanistic tradition. The education usually remains superficial. Only a very small number of outstanding students in a few eminent schools are able to penetrate to the basic values of Western culture and to acquire a genuine Western humanistic education to replace the lost Chinese one. The majority will be adrift spiritually on the waves of material comfort without having any fixed cultural or moral standards. Sooner or later many of these people will realise their lack of cultural identification. Physically and emotionally, these people are Chinese, but culturally they are neither Chinese, nor Malay nor English. They do not know themselves what they are.' The Professor's observation was made 25 years ago. In the interim period, many changes have taken place in our education system. Today, English is our main language used by Singaporeans at work and at play, and many Chinese students seem to experience difficulty in learning their mother tongue. The danger of deculturalisation therefore is much more serious today than 25 years ago. We therefore have to be more vigilant than before. Sir, and a 33-page task force report, commissioned by the Senate of the Philippines, quoted in the Straits Times of 14th August, 1988 ascribed much of the social ills in the Philippines today to westernisation and deculturalisation of her people. So let us take heed before it is too late. Sir, may I now briefly touch on one or two other aspects of the President's Address. The setting up of a Service Quality Improvement Unit under the Prime Minister's Office is timely and most appropriate.”
“It is through moral and civics lessons taught meaningfully that strong characters are moulded; and it is through the use of the mother tongue that cultural values are best imparted to the young. Some have argued that cultural values need not be distilled through the mother tongue. However, most experienced scholars and educationists in the field think that the mother tongue is the most effective medium to do the job. In fact, absorbing one's culture through a second language has been aptly described by some Chinese educationists as scratching an itching foot without removing the shoe, or what the Chinese would say Ge xie saoyang ( ). Sir, many foreign visitors to our shore have remarked how westernised Singaporeans are. And many innocent young and the not so young Singaporeans take pride in hearing such remarks. They forget that we are Asians living in Asia, that many Western ways of life may not be suitable for a young nation like ours. Therefore, schools play a very important role in keeping alive good Asian values and traditions which have helped to make Singapore what it is today. Because all our students are English-educated today, undesirable western values, fads and fetishes are being transmitted to them incessantly through the printed word and the television. Every effort must be made by the school and the home to ensure that we retain the essence of our ethnic cultures, lest we become totally deculturalised. If that day comes, the younger generation will hold us, the older generation, responsible for their plight and loss. Sir, to illustrate my point, allow me to quote what Prof. Wolfgang Franck, a renowned visiting Professor of Chinese Studies at the then University of Malaya, said about the Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia in 1965.”
“The conversion of all schools to single session institutions eventually, and the provision of places in institutions of higher learning to cater for 40-50% of each cohort of our students is indeed a welcome piece of news to all Singaporeans. Investment in education never fails to pay handsome dividends. And in Singapore where human resource is the only resource, the importance of developing every individual to his or her potential cannot be over-emphasized. I am particularly happy to note that working adults, who missed the opportunity to receive higher education in their younger days, will now be given a second chance to do so by pursuing part-time courses in their spare time. The need for such a provision has been keenly felt for quite some time now. In the context of Singapore, every opportunity should be made available to mature students who can benefit from higher academic and professional courses. The setting up of a third university to satisfy the urge of many young Singaporeans, who otherwise may have to go overseas to further their studies, is another step in the right direction. Here, we have to ensure that standards are not compromised in our eagerness to satisfy the demand of the students to obtain degrees. We do not want graduates of the third university to be third class graduates. Sir, still on the topic of education, I am very pleased indeed to learn that moral and civics lessons and the teaching of the mother tongue will be given the weightage they deserve. Allowing and encouraging schools to teach moral and civics lessons in the mother tongue is another laudable move.”
“Do the second lap runners, albeit better-fed, better-schooled, better-trained and better-equipped have the guts, grit, determination and stamina to keep up the good track record or even to break it? My answer is yes if the weather remains favourable and the runners keep themselves trim and fit. We, however, cannot become conceited, complacent or careless. A well-known Chinese adage says: Chuang ye nan, shou ye geng nan ( ) Sir, loosely translated, it means to embark on an undertaking, or an enterprise is not easy; to maintain what has been achieved by one's forefathers or predecessors, or to safeguard one's heritage may be even more difficult. So, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to remind ourselves and all Singaporeans that we got to where we are today because our Independence generation leaders and the people were prepared to make personal sacrifices for the good of the country, or as the Chinese would say, xisheng xiao wo, wanchen da wo. ( ). Sir, I know I am stating the obvious and that some people may be revolted by being reminded too frequently of our success story. However, I still feel that we should not be apologetic or self-defacing when it comes to discussing important issues like charting our long term future. Singaporeans must never forget the lessons of history, otherwise, we may lose our bearing and land ourselves where we do not want to be, especially when we are riding on the waves of material comfort and basking in affluence. Sir, pardon me for the long preamble. But I feel that there is some urgency to remind ourselves, in particular the younger Singaporeans, that what we are enjoying today is not godsend, but is the fruit of years of sweat and toil. I am indeed gratified to note that the Government will be spending more on education - 4-5% of our GDP.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to wholeheartedly support the motion moved by Mr Davinder Singh, Member for Toa Payoh GRC, to thank the President for his Address to the House on 22nd February. The President in his Address said that we have started a new chapter in our young history with a new generation of leaders in place. Indeed we have reached a watershed. Chapter One of our history began precariously, with precious little, whereas Chapter Two begins with prosperity and security. Singaporeans are now rallying to run the second lap which will take us to greater heights, realising our vision of 1999 and attaining a standard of living which equals to that of the Swiss of today. All Singaporeans should feel rightly proud. In the history of nations, it is difficult to find another nation starting with so little and achieving so much in so little time. The President said, "Today we can plan ahead for the next 25 years and marshall the resources needed to turn bold ideas into reality." Again, not many countries today are able or willing to commit themselves to plan so far ahead. And in how many countries can one find the transfer of political power from one leadership to another in so smooth a manner that it has been described as a non-event? So Singaporeans have completed a record-breaking first lap without any mishaps, thanks to the Independence generation leaders, the people and our good fortune. The basic strategies required to successfully run the second lap are no different from those required for the first. However, the runners are different, the coaches and the team manager are different and the time is different. Can we perform as well as the first team or better still, out-perform them? This is the question many older Singaporeans are asking themselves.”
“Sir, in the light of what the Minister of State has reported on the land uses for Pulau Ubin, may I ask the Minister whether or not the land uses in the future would involve a mass resettlement of the islanders?”
“There should not be overcrowding just because there is a high demand by working mothers for places for their children in child care centres. Sir, the Ministry of Community Development has a capable Minister who knows best what child bearing, child caring and child upbringing are all about. Therefore, I would expect a more satisfactory response to my queries.”
“There is no need for these women to possess high academic qualifications. Even 'O' level qualification is not necessary. One of the important factors is that these young women must have the motherly love for children so that they will understand the needs of young children. They must also look upon these young children as if they are mother to them, full of patience, understanding, care and concern and, of course, love. Sir, I am no expert in this field, but as a parent of two young schooling children, I at least know the basics of proper upbringing of children. Hence, I want to find out from the Minister what sort of assistance in the form of child care training has been provided to the supervisors, teachers and assistants of child care centres. Sir, training for these personnel is very important. Parents place their young children in the child care centres with trust and confidence and expectation that their children will be in safe hands of well-trained and responsible child care givers, so that they can concentrate on their day's work at their workplaces without distractions and much worry. Next, I would like to find out from the Minister what other measures are being taken by the Ministry to ensure that adequate and proper supervision of child care centres are carried out. I have the following questions for the Minister. Is the Minis- try ensuring that the educational programmes for child care centres are suitable for the various age groups of children? Are the dietary recommendations made by the family development branch for infants and older children strictly followed at child care centres? Finally, Sir, may I also ask the Minister whether or not the recommended number of staff to child ratio as required for each age group of children is maintained?”
“Sir, the Ministry of Community Development has done an excellent job, assisting and encouraging individuals, organisations and employers to set up child care centres for the benefit of working mothers. It is indeed a good sign that more and more child care centres are being set up in private residential estates, at the void decks of HDB flats as well as at companies' premises. The easy availability of these child care centres has encouraged more and more women to enter or re-enter the labour market and help to contribute to the economy of Singapore. At the same time, they help to ease the labour shortage to a certain extent. With more child care centres being set up, I would suggest that the Ministry take a short pause and take stock of the existing numerous child care centres to ascertain whether or not the supervisory role of these centres is adequate and satisfactory. Sir, it is easy to ensure a suitable site for a child care centre with proper layout, furnishing, equipment and other essential physical facilities. But it is entirely a different cup of tea, for example, if the centres were to provide and maintain a high standard of child caring and child raising skills. The quality of this fast-expanding service must not be compromised. As we all know, Singaporean parents normally want the best for their children. A few days ago, we read in the newspapers that parents even make use of their domestic maids to queue up overnight outside a kindergarten centre just to get places for their children. Sir, many of the child care supervisors, teachers and assistants are young women. Some are not married and some have not even become mothers. As such, they may not have the necessary experience and expertise to provide the essential care for the young children.”
“They therefore cannot blame the Syariah Court for any delay in settling their case. I would therefore urge couples and their advisers to adopt a moderate and reasonable attitude if they want a speedy settlement of their divorce. I would like to add that in doing so, they will inflict lesser damage on their children who unfortunately are the innocent victims of their marital break-ups.”
“The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar)( In Malay): Mr Chairman, the Syariah Court has been operating with a full complement of staff since June 1986. Assisting the President of the Syariah Court are 3 Muslim Social Case Workers and a Court Clerk. There are also an Executive Officer and a Clerk to help him take care of the day-to-day administration of the Court. Other support service staff include a Process and Notice Server, a Typist and an Office Attendant. Mr Chairman, it is true that the number of marital disputes registered at the Court has increased. In 1989, 2,066 new cases were registered. Although in a majority of these cases, the couples are seeking a divorce, it is the practice in the Syariah Court that they are first referred to a Muslim Social Case Worker for counselling with a view to achieving a reconciliation. I would like to stress that the aim of the Syariah Court, which is in keeping with our Islamic teachings, is to bring the couples together. Only if that fails will the Muslim Social Case Worker attend to their applications for divorce. Mr Chairman, a lot of the Syariah Court's time is taken up in these cases because the Court just cannot grant the divorce due to refusal by both sides to compromise, even after several hearings This is compounded by the large number of cases where one party repeatedly fails to attend Court hearing on the appointed date. Last year, for example, the number of absent cases was 14% of the total number of scheduled hearings. Their failure to turn up for hearings not only results in a delay in the settlement of their cases but also deprives another case of an earlier hearing. If couples persist in being stubborn, they must expect their divorce to be a protracted, long-drawn out affair.”
“Sir, the Registry of Marriages building, which houses the Registry of Muslim Marriages and the Registry of Marriages, along Canning Rise is not a convenient location for couples to go and file their marriage registration or for them to go for their marriage solemnisation on their auspicious day, especially when their matrimonial ceremonies are scheduled to be conducted at the Registries during the CBD time restriction. Sir, you had been there before. I also had been there. Although we do not go to this place so often, we know how incon- venient it is for couples who want to go and legalise their life-long partnership in the presence of the respective Marriage Registrars. Some years ago, there was a Branch Registry of Marriages at the Chinese Garden. I understand that this Branch Registry has been closed. Maybe the Hon. Minister could enlighten the House as to why the Branch Registry had ceased to function. Now that the Government has urged young people to get married early by offering generous tax incentives, I believe that many young couples would heed the Government's encouragement and call to get married early and to set up family by having children while they are still young. Sir, the Ministry of Community Development could go one step further to identify some suitable locations in major housing estates for the setting up of Branch Registries of Marriages for the convenience of people. If there is no plan to relocate the present building at Canning Rise, Branch Registries at different parts of Singapore would be very useful. I would like to find out from the Minister whether his Ministry has any plan to set up Branch Registries throughout Singapore in future.”
“Sir, may I ask the Senior Minister of State whether, besides Woodlands, there are vacant units of flats available in large numbers in the eastern part of Singapore?”
“At off-peak hours, the public also make visits to the airport as part of their sight-seeing tours. Lastly, but not the least, Sir, budget-conscious travellers to Singapore will find the MRT economical and convenient. Sir, having said all these reasons to justify my request, I would like to urge the Hon. Minister to bear them in mind seriously. Perhaps, in the planning of the Changi Airport's third Passenger Terminal, the planning of the MRT extension line could be incorporated.”
“When constructed, Changi Airport will be the first airport in Asia to have a transit system, comparable to European airports of London, Frankfurt and Zurich. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for more transit air passengers in Changi Airport to visit and shop in the city. This is because the MRT can provide not only a fast transportation to enable them to go to the city for their shopping pleasure but an uncomplicated means of transportation which will enable them to travel to and from the city conveniently. Thirdly, Sir, the shift duty works of most airport workers at different times of the day and night will ensure the optimum utilization of the extension line. This group of workers will provide the volume for the slack times of the MRT. Fourthly, Sir, employers in the airport will be able to tap a wider labour market from other parts of Singapore, like the northern and western Singapore, unlike the current practice of concentration of getting workers mainly from the eastern part of the island. Fifthly, airport workers need not spend too much time travelling to and from work. Their transfer from one SBS bus to another takes away too much of their precious time. The time saved will help to improve the nation's productivity. Sixthly, Sir, car owners will use the MRT instead of their cars to work. Many workers are currently forced to drive to work as the airport working hours are irregular, with the busiest time in the early mornings and late evenings when the public transport is least efficient. By not driving their cars to the airport, they can also save on the monthly parking fees of $75 at Changi Airport. Seventhly, aside from airport workers, the MRT will also serve well-wishers. At peak hours of the airport operations, the number may be around 2,000.”
“Sir, on more than one occasion, I spoke in this House with regard to my request for an extension MRT line to Changi Airport. The line could be extended either from Pasir Ris Station or Tanah Merah Station. Although the Hon. Minister for Communications and Information, in his previous response to my query, had said that the extension line to Changi Airport was not a viable proposition, may I, once again, request the Minister to further persuade the MRTC to study the proposal. Sir, before I proceed further, I would like to declare my interest. Changi Airport is the best airport in the world, having been voted twice to be the best by frequent business travellers to Singapore - once in 1988 and another in 1989. The people who contributed to this world-renowned achievement for Singapore were indeed the airport workers. They number approximately 20,000. In October this year when the second Passenger Terminal becomes operational, the number of airport workers is expected to increase by another 5,000 or more. They will be the potential users of the MRT eventually. The big number of airport workers will no doubt form a substantial base to ensure the viability of the extension line as compared to some other MRT lines. One clear-cut example is the Marina South extension. Very few people make use of this line. I feel strongly that these airport workers should not be deprived of the construction of a modern transportation facility such as the MRT at their work place for their convenience. Sir, to help the MRTC study further on the justification of an extension line, may I offer some other reasons for their consideration. Firstly, an extension line linking Changi Airport from one of the existing MRT stations will definitely enhance the 'Best Airport' image.”
“Sir, I am quite happy with the Minister's reply. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Code TG 2100 of the Main Estimates. Sir, Changi is largely a rural constituency. For the last 10 years or so, clearance of squatters has been going on and most residents have been resettled in HDB estates. Lands which have been vacated by residents are left unmanaged by the relevant Government departments. As a result, overgrown vegetation has filled up the vacant land camouflaging the discarded household goods and other unwanted items. Abandoned dogs and cats run wild on these unmanaged lands. Rats and snakes also infested these areas. Sir, the grounds also became mosquito breeding grounds. All these problems have become a nuisance to other residents not affected by resettlement. On the one hand, the residents were told to clear out from the kampongs fast but, on the other hand, the lands are not managed or developed after the residents have moved out. Sir, in the last few weeks there were a few fires which happened in the unmanaged land because of the dry weather and because of the overgrown vegetation. I would like the Minister to look into this problem and have all these unmanaged lands managed.”
“Sir, I have just one request. In view of what the Minister has said that the reduction of the car parking charges in Changi Airport comes under the jurisdiction of the CAAS, may I now request the Minister for Communications and Information to help in persuading CAAS to bring down the car parking charges in Changi Airport?”
“As most airport workers who drive to work daily stay far away from their workplace, they have to rely heavily on their own transport to travel to work. Presently, those living in the HDB estates are already paying $50 for their season car parks in their estate. With the additional $75 they have to pay for the parking charges at Changi Airport, the total monthly parking charges incurred by each airport worker will be $125. Sir, it is very, very expensive. With Changi Airport being voted the Best Airport for two consecutive years, another form of recognition for the airport workers for their contribution and dedication is to reduce the car park charges at Changi Airport. I hope the Minister will be generous in this respect.”
“Sir, first, let me declare my interest because the topic that I am talking about involves my workplace which is within my constituency. Sir, the season parking charge for an uncovered parking lot at Car Park B and other car parks within the vicinity of Changi Airport, besides Car Park A, is $75. This is $25 higher than the parking charges of $50 for an uncovered lot elsewhere in Singapore. A few years ago, the monthly parking charges were $65. I raised the matter in this House for a reduction of the charges. The former Minister for National Development, maybe in consultation with the Ministry of Communications and Information, kindly reduced the charges to $50. Last year, the charges went up to $75. Sir, I would like to appeal to the Minister to eliminate the present disparity and bring the parking charges at Changi Airport in line with the parking charges which are being implemented in other parts of Singapore. Car Park B at the moment is not fully utilised. Sir, I have the following reasons to justify my appeal. Changi Airport is not within the central business district. Consequently, the vehicles of airport workers do not contribute to any traffic congestion to the roadways leading to the business district. Neither do they contribute to the pollution problem in the city during the peak hours. In fact, the routes to Changi Airport are not congested with vehicles. Therefore, there should not be any discouraging policy to deter the airport workers to drive to work. Most airport workers are shift workers whose duty hours are governed by the airline flight schedules. As such, they do not fully enjoy the benefits of the public transport system.”
“To ask the Minister for Communications and Information if he will grant special exemption from payment of the increased registration fees to those who can show proof that they have booked to purchase their vehicles before the announcement of the increased registration fees. Dr S. Vasoo (Tiong Bahru GRC): Question No. 5, Sir.”
“Sir, may I ask the Senior Minister of State whether he could request the HDB to turf the land in the meantime and make it available for residents to use for recreation or as a playground for games?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill. However, I have one request for the Minister's consideration. In the case of a retiree who has withdrawn his CPF contributions from his ordinary account and has exhausted the money, he would have difficulty financing the expenses of his children's tertiary education in an approved institution. However, if the retiree has other children who are gainfully employed and who have CPF contributions and are prepared to finance the expenses of their siblings' tertiary education, would the Minister consider approval for such requests?”
“Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister whether the traffickers who bring in the illegal immigrants are Singaporeans or foreigners operating such activities from outside Singapore?”
“Currently, before a person can seek help from the Legal Aid Bureau there is a means test which they must satisfy. I understand the same means test has been in use for the last 13 years. In view of the improved standard of living and the high cost of living in Singapore, will the Ministry revise the means test to reflect the current living standards?”
“Sir, before I withdraw my amendment, I just want to inform the Minister that the police post in Pulau Ubin is doing a very good job. They have been maintaining law and order all these years and there is no crime situation that is adverse for the residents. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Dr Ho Tat Kin (Toa Payoh GRC): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of Code SI 1500 of the Main Estimates. Sir, during the 1984-86 period, many of my 1-room and 2-room rented tenants had to seek assistance from the Legal Aid Bureau. My constituents and I have always found the Legal Aid Bureau most helpful and we appreciate the good work done by the Bureau. I am sure Members of this House who have sought the Bureau's assistance on behalf of their constituents will agree with me. However, on some occasions, my constituents will seek my assistance to get the Bureau to speed up matters. I understand that the Bureau handles some 9,000 cases annually and on any one day there are more than 2,500 active files and they only have a small number of legal officers. I was told there are only nine of them. Sir, I would like to know what measures would the Ministry take to help the Bureau to improve on its productivity? Will it be possible for the Bureau to make use of, say, final year degree students from the Law Department to assist in the cases, at least for the research work? I understand the Ministry of Law is now being computerized. I would like to find out from the Minister if the computerization programme includes the Legal Aid Bureau because with over 2,500 active files a day, computerization would definitely speed up information storage and retrieval.”
“At this juncture, Sir, I would also like to appeal to the Minister to look into this problem with a view to lessening the hardship faced by my constituents as a result of the Land Office's enforcement actions.”
“The enthusiastic Land Inspectors, armed with measuring tapes, have been actively on their move in the peaceful island as uninvited guests since last year. They moved from place to place eyeing on the wooden houses suspected to have been enlarged with additional structures or extensions and taking measurements of them. In most cases, enforcement actions were subsequently taken against the owners for the additional extensions said to have been illegally built on State land. Sir, the enforcement actions taken by the Land Inspectors have disturbed the peace and tranquillity that have been existing in Pulau Ubin for decades. They have also left the simple islanders bewildered. The residents have become fearful of the authority and are worrying as to when would they be the next victims of those uninvited guests from the Land Office. Sir, why did the Land Office step up enforcement actions against the humble islanders? Was it a case of a long lull before a storm? Were the relevant authority trying to make up for their long negligence in the past? Or was it a revenue-earning measure for the Government by way of penalty fees imposed on the islanders by the authority which regularized the additional structures or extensions within the ambit of the TOL? Sir, many islanders have appealed to me for assistance. Changi Constituency, in fact, topped the list of appeal cases with the highest number of appeals officially made by me with the Land Office in 1988. Obviously, Sir, the problem in my constituency should be seen as more serious than others. May I, on behalf of my constituents, appeal to the relevant department to be more understanding and humane when exercising their authority.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of Code SC 1500 of the Main Estimates. Sir, the residents of Pulau Ubin, for generations, have been living a simple life, eking out a living from the lands and sweating out in the granite quarries. They live in wooden houses which are squatting on State land. Apart from the existence of a small police post where the police officers maintain law and order in the island, the residents have not really come into contact with the Government authority. Most of them are alienated from the mainstream of life in mainland Singapore. While their fellow citizens in the mainland are enjoying the fruits of our prosperity and the advancement of science and technology, the people of Pulau Ubin do not even get the basic needs of electricity and piped water. They depend on well water and their own generators for electricity supply. Despite the lack of such essential amenities, the residents have no complaints. They are generally happy with what the Changi CCC has done for them over the years. Most residents are senior citizens and generally law-abiding. For years, they have not felt the breath of authority breathing down their necks. Therefore, it was not surprising that many of them did not understand the building regulations concerning State land. Whenever there was a need to enlarge their dwelling premises, they would put up structures or extend their existing ones. The need to apply for approval from the Government authority was never in their minds. Hence, the additional extensions or structures constructed for years had become part and parcel of their dwelling premises. The Land Office's sudden interest in these old structures in Pulau Ubin came as a surprise to the islanders.”
“Many Singaporeans and Malaysian casual visitors visit the airport as one of their sightseeing stops. During the school vacation, groups of students accompanied by their teachers also visit the airport as part of their excursion tours. Sir, all in all, the volume of people in general using Changi Airport in one way or another is significantly high and it therefore justifies for an extension of the MRT to Changi Airport which is presently the best airport in the world. It would be cheaper to extend the MRT service to the airport now than, say, five to 10 years later when the cost of construction of the extended line will be more expensive. I urge the Hon. Minister to positively consider linking Changi Airport with other parts of Singapore.”
“Sir, firstly, let me declare my interest because the subject I am going to talk about involves my workplace. Sir, on Monday, 20th March, Singaporeans came to know for the first time that there will be Changi sky-trains serving air travellers between the two passenger terminals at Changi Airport in 1990. It is also the first international airport outside the United States and Britain to have such an automated people mover system. This modern facility will indeed be another milestone for Changi Airport which is in my constituency. Sir, what about the Changi underground trains for Changi Airport? Most big international airports are linked by underground train services to the city central and, in some cases, to the outlying areas as well, whereas our Changi Airport could not even be reached by the MRT from different parts of Singapore. The MRT station nearest to the airport is at Pasir Ris station which, as reported, will be ready next year. The volume of air travellers using Changi Airport has increased so rapidly as evidently shown by the necessity to build a second passenger terminal. Many of these travellers, I believe, are familiar with the underground train services in other countries. I am sure they will welcome the opportunity of travelling in our modern MRT when they arrive in Singapore. Every day there are many well-wishers and greeters who call at the airport to either send off their friends, relatives and loved ones or to receive them on their arrivals. Changi Airport alone employs several thousand people. These airport workers need a more convenient mode of direct transportation to and from their workplace. They are either working on normal office hours or on shift duties.”
“The stallholder was fined $500 for massive extension on the 24th January 1989 and not on Chinese New Year's Eve because he is recalcitrant - having been fined by the courts on two previous occasions for similar offence of grossly extending his stall and blocking almost the entire passageway, causing gross inconvenience to members of the public. We do not single out any market for special treatment, especially the Lim Tua Tow Market for enforcement action on extension of stalls. During the last six months, a total of 69 stallholders from 21 other markets/food centres were summoned for extending their stalls. But during the last six months, four stallholders at Lim Tua Tow Market, including the two recalcitrants, were summoned for extending their stalls. MRT LINE TO BUKIT BATOK/BUKIT GOMBAK/CHUA CHU KANG (Operational date) 5. Dr Ong Chit Chung asked the Minister for Communications and Information when the Mass Rapid Transit line to Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak and Chua Chu Kang stations will become operational.”