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 Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.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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“Sir, may I ask the Acting Minister whether some form of recognition is given to regular donors?”
“Sir, if such an approach was made and the agreement was terminated, what would be the effect on Singapore?”
“Sir, may I know whether there is any delay in the project?”
“Sir, in asking Question No. 11, may I first declare that I have no pecuniary interest on this subject, although I am an employee of SATS in Changi Airport. Question No. 11, Sir. DUTY-FREE LIQUOR, CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO AT CHANGI AIRPORT (Tenders for sale for Singaporean operators) 11. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether the sales of duty-free liquor, cigarettes and tobacco at Changi Airport can be tendered out only to Singaporean operators instead of to a foreign company in future. The Minister for Communications and Information (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the success of Singapore depends on our ability to compete internationally in all products and services that we sell. With our open economy and our heavy dependence on international trade, it would be regressive and counter-productive to indulge in protectionism to support a few companies that are not sufficiently competitive. Open tender for airport shops and duty-free shops is widely practised in most major airports in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries. By having efficient and competitive shops at our airport providing goods and services at prices that are among the lowest in the whole of Southeast Asia, we encourage passengers to fly to and transit through Singapore with resultant benefits for our economy.”
“Sir, despite the small number as reported by the Hon. Acting Minister, may I ask the Hon. Acting Minister whether he considers the present situation alarming enough to warrant a national campaign?”
“Sir, of the 42,427 taxi vocational licence holders, may I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary how many taxis are there?”
“Sir, may I ask of the Hon. Minister whether or not it is the resettlement authority which should maintain the resettlement site vacated by residents before any redevelopment takes place on the site?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in asking Question No. 4, I would like to declare that I have no pecuniary interest. CAR PARK B AT CHANGI AIRPORT (Season parking fee) 4. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether he will positively review downwards the high season parking fee charged at $65 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for cars parked at Car Park B at Changi Airport so as to enable more shift workers at the Airport to make full use of it.”
“Nevertheless, I would like to take this opportunity to urge all employers who have sports enthusiasts in their organizations to be more consider- ate, understanding and supportive in this respect of releasing them for international sports participation, especially when these sportsmen and sportswomen are taking part in competitions as representatives of the nation.”
“Much work has already been put in in the selection of consultants for the various important works, such as structural, mechanical, electrical engineering and acoustics. The project consultants, namely, Messrs Raglan Squire & Partners and Kenzo Tange Associates, have made representation to the Implementation Committee set up by the Ministry, Singapore Sports Council, and the PWD on alternative models for the multi-purpose indoor stadium. A selection will be made next month. The indoor stadium is targetted to be ready by the end of 1988. Sir, the last point raised by the hon. Member is the plight of sportsmen and sportswomen. I also share the concern of the hon. Member over the release of sportsmen and sportswomen for training and participating in competitive sports meets held locally and overseas. Most employers are normally sympathetic in granting leave to them. For the few who refuse to grant leave, a direct approach is usually made to the company and an influential person is approached to speak to the management. Most of the time, employers are quite responsive. However, if the approaches fail, the sportsmen and sportswomen are urged to take their own vacation or no-pay leave. They are then compensated by out-of-pocket allowance by the sports authorities concerned to tide over the period of their salary loss. The Member may be aware that sports authorities, like the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), Singapore Sports Council, and the national sports associations, do not have the power to compel companies to release sportsmen and sportswomen for training or to grant them leave to represent Singapore at tournaments and sports meets.”
“Sir, I am replying to the Member for Pasir Panjang on behalf of my Acting Minister. The hon. Member, in his speech yesterday, raised two of his favourite subjects - one on sports and the other on MUIS. I am replying only on matters concerning sports. The Member raised four issues in his speech. Let me briefly deal with each of them. Last year, the Member raised the issue of the Government's loan to the Singapore Sports Council. I share his concern. My Ministry's officials have been having discussions with the Ministry of Finance to convert the loan into a grant. To-date, we are still awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Finance. Hopefully, a positive response will be forthcoming. The Singapore Sports Council attempts to make its facilities more accessible to the public to participate in sports and recreational activities. On floodlighting of athletic centres, the Singapore Sports Council has embarked on a phased programme to floodlight them. I am pleased to inform the Member that Bedok and Toa Payoh Athletic Centres will be floodlighted by the end of 1986 at an estimated cost of $447,000. The night usage of these two centres will be monitored over the next two years against possible drop in daylight usage. If utilization rate shows an appreciable increase in real terms, approval will be sought to floodlight the remaining four athletic centres at Queenstown, Farrer Park, Ang Mo Kio and Clementi. Sir, the Member wants to know more details on the progress made so far on the multi-purpose indoor stadium. As the House already knows, the Singapore Sports Council is proceeding to build the multi-purpose indoor stadium at an estimated cost of $68 million.”
“One objective has not changed, and that is, the objective of raising the standard of living of our people, of safeguarding the interests of our people. The question is: how do you do that? 1965 was the time of the socialist movements in the Western democracies, Dennis Healey, Harold Wilson, in Britain, and similar socialist movements in the Scandinavian countries.”
“Nobody likes to pay taxes, least of all indirect taxes. It is not that we do not know that this will cause a rumpus. We could easily have taken the easy way out - recommend tax cuts across the board, and let the Government carry the baby. We did not do that because it would have been popular but irresponsible. Some services have to be paid for. Some Members have suggested touching the statutory boards (I think the Member for Alexandra mentioned that yesterday). Well, the statutory boards have some reserves. But another recommendation of the Economic Committee is that the statutory boards should not be in business to maximize profits. They are in business to provide a service, break-even, and earn a fair return. There are no vast profits to be looked forward to from the statutory boards in time to come. So you cannot have it both ways - statutory board charges as low as possible, at the same time statutory board profits as high as possible, therefore taxes low. Mr Speaker, Sir, very seldom in life can you have your cake and eat it. So the statutory board surpluses are not the solution. The Member for Queenstown made an eloquent, entertaining argument yesterday, quoting historical precedents as to why we should never go in for indirect taxation. But this is not a joke. 1986 is not 1965. The world has changed; economics has changed; and Singapore has changed. To quote a Chinese phrase, such as often accompanies such entertaining interjections: Shi guo jing qian, cang hai sang tian " " - The time has passed, the whole scenery has changed. What used to be limitless oceans are now mulberry fields. The solutions of yesterday will solve the problems of yesterday. The solutions of today have to be found anew. They do not come from interjections. They come from thought.”
“The third component is taxation. The Report has said, and the Government has endorsed this view that we have to keep our tax rates low in Singapore - corporate taxes and personal income taxes. You have to do it because otherwise you are not competitive. On the other hand, the Government needs money. So you cannot simply cut taxes indiscriminately, indefinitely, across the board. Money has to come from somewhere. And particularly in Singapore, where there is a defence burden to be shouldered, where there is education and health to be looked after, the Government's revenue requirements are larger than in other countries like Hong Kong, where these are much smaller components of the GDP. We have a certain amount of reserves which we can tap up to a point. There is a certain slack which we can take up. We can say, "Well, let us reduce taxes from 40% to 35%. No need to compensate." Is that going to be enough? If not, how do you go further? And we must go further because most other countries in the world who matter to us are taking this route. The US tax rate used to be 46%. It is going to 39%, maybe 33%. The British who are above 50% are bringing their corporate tax rates down to 35%. The Taiwanese, following their Economic Reconstruction Committee report, have reduced their tax rates from 30% to 25%; hesitantly in two steps - 30% to 28%, 28% to 25%. Under those circumstances, what are our possibilities of keeping the tax rate at 40% and hoping that companies will still say, "Singapore is such a fantastic place. I will come here and willingly pay tax."? It is not feasible. Therefore, we need consumption taxes. The Economic Committee would not have put this down without strong reasons. It is not that we do not know that this is an unpopular move.”
“Can you therefore say, "This worker is entitled to his wage, and if his manager goes bankrupt we will continue paying him in the firm?" There is no alternative. It is not fair, but it is a fact of life. If we want to prosper, management have to make their companies prosper, and then the workers will follow. If you look at some of the Tables in the Economic Committee Report, you will see the extent to which managements can make a difference. There are two charts in Chapter 14, Charts 14-2 and 14-3, which compare the performances of companies in the different sectors. They also compare the performances of different sized companies in the same sector, the performances of companies of the same size, local versus foreign, in each sector, they show the extent to which the management, the firm's organization, can make a difference. If you work in a small manufacturing firm with 50 workers or less, your pay will be 50% less than if you work in a manufacturing firm with 100 workers or more. Why? The firms are less productive. What is the solution? One is to tell people, "Well, if you want, you work where you like. These are the data. You choose." In which case, everybody will go into the big firms. Unfortunately, these will be the multi-nationals. We cannot stop people from going. So the solution we have chosen is, the small firms better upgrade themselves, otherwise they are going to go out of business! And they employ 30% of our population! So if we could get these 30% properly organized, our productivity would immediately go up significantly, and our GNP and our national income would go up. So we owe it to our population to make sure that the managers upgrade themselves and are able to provide decent employment for their workers. That is the second component.”
“And if we want to be paid as much as they are, we have to be as productive as they are. There has been a widespread misunderstanding that productivity is a worker's problem. The unionists, Members for Boon Lay and also for Kebun Baru, have eloquently pointed out that this is not just the workers' problem although workers are critical to it. You must have a good work attitude, you must be conscious that your contribution counts, you must work efficiently, you must be well-trained, you must be able to contribute more for every hour which you put in. That means work harder, work more flexibly and work smarter. If you do not do that, if you have workers who say, "Well, new machine, less work. You compensate me for the new machine which threatens to replace my job" as has happened in other countries like Britain, then there will be no new machines, there will be no productivity increases. So the workers are the first half of the productivity problem. But they cannot solve it by themselves. To solve it, you need management. Managements have to be better. How productive a manager of a firm is does not depend on how many hours he sits at his desk. It depends on how wisely he thinks, how far-sightedly he plans, and how intelligently he manages his firm and leads his people so that, as a group, they produce results. That is why the Economic Committee has focused on business efficiency, on total productivity. We are not in the business of singing jingles. We are in the business of improving performance, and to improve your performance you need to have the leaders. Is it fair to a worker if his manager lets him down, manages a firm poorly, so that the firm goes bust and the worker suffers? No. It is not fair. But what is the alternative?”
“Firstly, costs; secondly, productivity; thirdly, taxation, and fourthly, our performance as a people, as a whole. First of all, costs. Costs are not just high CPF rates. Costs of doing business refer to all the aspects, all the things you must pay for. Even taking wages alone, CPF is not the only problem. CPF has been a problem for the lower paid where it has raised the cost of employing workers. It has been much less of a problem for management staff, where the effective CPF rate is less than 50% because there is a ceiling. Yet our management costs have gotten out of line. Why? Because we have developed fast, we have grown quickly, we have developed shortages of managers, we have not produced enough university graduates, polytechnic graduates, skilled people, to run our enterprises. And so our management costs have gone up, and people say that in Singapore it is no longer profitable to do business. So let us not get mesmerized by the CPF problem. But it is not just wages and CPF. These we have identified and we will now attempt to keep in line. Crucial. It is also our rental costs, our interest rates, our statutory boards' charges. All the other components of doing business in Singapore have to be competitive. And if we keep them low, not by subsidizing them but by doing things efficiently and providing services economically, then we will have kept our costs down - the first element of being competitive. The second element of being competitive is to raise our productivity. Why is it that a Japanese worker can be paid three or four times as much per hour as a Singapore worker, and yet they do not have a cost problem, they do not have a recession? Because they are more productive than us.”
“If the policies will restore growth, then we must implement them even if they are uncomfortable, even if they involve sacrifices, even if they are unpopular, because the consequences of not implementing them will be less growth, vastly greater unpopularity for the Government and enormously increased misery for the population. So we want growth. Where do we get it? We get it by being competitive. At the press conference announcing the Report of the Economic Committee a few weeks ago, one reporter asked me, "We have done all this. Now, what will happen if our competitors do the same? Then what do we do in Singapore?" My answer was: Our competitors have been doing the same, all along! We have failed to watch them. We have failed to keep up with them, and that is why we are in this position. They also have difficulties. Taiwan formed an Economic Reconstruction Committee last year, at the same time as we in Singapore established an Economic Committee. They were faster off the mark. They completed their report faster. In November, I received a complimentary copy of their report. I read it carefully to see if there were any lessons to be learned from it for Singapore. In February, when we published our Report, I reciprocated the courtesy. They will study our conclu- sions to find out if there is anything to be learned for them. And they will attempt to change, to react and to put their house in order as quickly as we can, if not faster. So this is a competitive game. To win, we have to be quicker off the mark. And having been quicker off the mark, we have to stay ahead in the race; and there are no consolation prizes. How do we become competitive? I think all the issues which have been discussed in the last few days are related. Let me take them in turn.”
“52 pm The Acting Minister for Trade and Industry (BG Lee Hsien Loong): Mr Speaker, Sir, after a wide-ranging debate on an issue of momentous importance in this House, let us now re-focus on the basics of what is involved. Let us see our problem in its proper context. What is our aim in this exercise? Why have we gone through this immense labour, extensive consultation, discussion, analyses, evaluation and now implementation? What are we trying to do? Our aim is to secure the standard of living of Singaporeans, the livelihood of Singaporeans, to make sure they have jobs, to make sure they have secure incomes, to make sure they have homes to live in, and to make sure there is a future for their children. That is what we are about. How do we do that? By restoring the economy to health and rekindling growth as quickly as possible. So the objective is growth. How do we get growth? Not by redistribu- tion, not by taxation, not by genuflexion and wishing for the best. We get it by creating opportunities to do business in Singapore. We get it by making it profitable to do business in Singapore. If the opportunities are there, if the potentials for profit are there, then there will be business, then there will be growth and wealth, and then there will be income to be shared fairly with the population. If there is no increase in GNP, there is very little to quarrel about. Therefore, when we are discussing action to be taken and policies to be implemented, we should focus on one criterion to judge whether these are good policies or bad policies. The criterion is: Does this promote growth and restore the economy to health as quickly as possible, or is it an aspirin which will help you get over a hangover but will not remove the underlying cause of your headache?”
“I urge Singaporeans not to go for soft options and must never, for a moment, forget that nobody owes us a living. Our position is vulnerable. We must always remind ourselves that being disadvantaged due to the constraints of land size and natural resources, we must be better educated and trained, better be able to adapt to changing circumstances around us than others or else we will be left in the lurch. To be inflexible and to cling on to old ways of life will mean weaknesses and finally destruction for all of us. Mr Speaker, Sir, although the present recession seems to be more complex in nature, I have the fullest confidence that with the same kind of unwavering determination and concerted efforts we used to show before, we should be able to ride the present storm and evolve more competitive, resilient, tougher and more cohesive as a people. May I therefore call upon all Singaporeans to rally solidly around the PAP leaderhip, tighten our belts a little and be prepared to live with some temporary discomforts and inconveniences so as to overcome the present bad times and sow the seeds for a better tomorrow. Singaporeans are pragmatic and understanding people. I am sure they will heed the President's call to all Singaporeans to work together with the Government. It is time we set aside petty issues and differences and fully support the Government to regain our prosperity as soon as possible. There is no other way out of the present recession. Either we stand together and beat the recession successfully or we face economic collapse and more hardship. The choice is obvious. Sir, I support the motion moved by the hon. Member for Changkat. 11.”
“Again, it was the PAP Government which took Singaporeans through the difficult times and Singapore had continuous growth in our economy. Each time the Government was able to overcome the difficulties that affected our population. The Government's ability to overcome all the difficulties was not by chance or due to some miraculous cure but largely due to the far- sighted leadership of the PAP Government working in tandem with the hardworking and intelligent population and the trade unions. Nowhere else could such tripartite system work so successfully, though it was no easy task for the PAP leadership. However, the PAP Government was able to cushion off the hardship faced by Singaporeans then. I am confident that the same PAP Government, working closely with the people, could also do it now to alleviate whatever hardship caused to all Singaporeans in our current recession. Therefore, this is not the time for Singaporeans to sulk and cry over spilt milk or to try and find someone to point an accusing finger at, just as what the two Opposition Members have been doing, for the plight we are in. On the contrary, it is time we galvanize ourselves and put our shoulders to the wheel to overcome our present predicament. To see fruitful results, Singaporeans must work together with the Government in its urgent implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Economic Committee and the key measures announced by the First Deputy Prime Minister. The people, particularly the younger workers, must face the harsh reality with grit and prove to themselves and the rest of the world, that they are made of sterner stuff and are prepared to make temporary discomforts and sacrifices for a quicker revival of our economy and for the long term prosperity of the nation.”
“Therefore, the economic downturn must have come as a surprise and a rude shock to most of them. Following the two decades of continuous economic progress, it is not unnatural for Singaporeans' expectations to go up and for Singaporeans to take the prosperity of the nation for granted. It is also not unnatural for Singaporeans to assume that they will forever enjoy the high standard of living unrivalled anywhere else in the third world. Home-ownership, good education, excellent medical services, recreational facilities (you name them, you have them) are many of the marvellous achievements brought about by the PAP Government for the benefits of all peace-loving Singaporeans during the last two decades. However, Sir, the present recession may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It may jolt the people out of their complacency. Sir, this is not the first time our nation is facing adversity. Many older Singaporeans will recall that when the PAP first came to power in 1959, many businesses shut down in Singapore and re-started elsewhere, causing massive unemployment among Singaporeans. After we left Malaysia, we were confronted with the British military withdrawal. Thousands of businessmen and shopkeepers, who had dealings with the British servicemen and their families, faced a bleak future. Many prophets of doom expected the Singapore economy to collapse. Far from it, it was the PAP Government which took realistic, decisive and bold measures to counter the adverse economic effects of the military withdrawal. With the full cooperation of the people of Singapore at that time, we were not only out of the woods within a comparatively short span of time but were also able to forge ahead to prosper beyond our wildest dream. We were also confronted with the oil crisis.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on Wednesday, the First Deputy Prime Minister announced several measures to beat the present recession. I have had the opportunity of talking to some people who are directly or indirectly affected by the current recession. Although their response to the announcement was favourable, they commented that the wage restraint should not be applicable to every company. They were in favour of wage restraint initially for one year, subject to extension for one more year only if it is absolutely necessary for firms which are hit by this recession. Companies which continue to perform well and enjoy vigorous growth, despite the recession, should not take advantage by implementing wage restraint, especially the drop in oil price has appropriately come about for them to benefit additional profits. I am in full agreement with their comments and I hope the Government will bear this in mind. Sir, on the 25% income tax rebate, they were overjoyed because they had not expected the Government to be so generous in giving them the concession. They expected a concession but not as much as 25%. Nevertheless, the rebate must have made many taxpayers happy. On the whole, the remedial measures announced by the First Deputy Prime Minister are very practical and encouraging, although some of them may have painful effects on our workers, particularly those who are in the lower income group. In my opinion, these measures are the correct medicine which could be best prescribed for our economnic ills. They are appropriate and necessary at present so that existing jobs are not lost. Mr Speaker, Sir, the younger Singaporeans have not had any experience of hardship which the older generation or our senior citizens had in the early years.”
“The Ministry of Finance has instead requested the Singapore Sports Council to rent out all usable space to generate further revenue to pay off the loan. The SSC has been able to reflect operating surplus, averaging $780,000 per annum since 1978. Unfortunately, this sum cannot meet the full interest of $900,000 per annum, much less the capital sum loaned. As the SSC is unable to generate sufficient revenue to even meet the interest on the loan, my Ministry is making further appeals to the Ministry of Finance to convert the loan into a grant. Sir, with a kind-hearted and generous Minister for Finance, it is our hope that our appeals will be favourably considered.”
“Thank you. A project paper was submitted to the Ministry of Finance for approval. However, the Ministry of Finance asked for a re-costing of the centre as the preliminary estimate of $45 million provided by the Singapore Sports Council was too low. A steering committee headed by Dr Tan Eng Liang, Chairman of the Singapore Sports Council, is re-looking into the details of construction and costs. Both local and international experts are being consulted. Sir, when completed, the indoor stadium will have a fixed seating capacity for 15,000 persons. But for certain events such as boxing, table tennis, badminton (finals) up to 20,000 people can be accommodated. It will service a variety of indoor sports, musical shows, exhibitions and trade fairs. It will have provision for a restaurant and fast-food outlets. The building will be adaptable for air-conditioning and natural ventilation. It will be designed as an energy-efficient building, supported by computerized gadgetry and sophisticated equipment to reduce manpower and maintenance costs. A site has already been earmarked at Kallang, which is near the National Stadium. Sir, funds for the project will be provided when the steering committee completes its detailed studies and the project approved by the Ministry of Finance. Construction work is expected to take 11/2-2 years. Sir, in answer to the query raised by the Hon. Member for Pasir Panjang, I would like to inform him that the Singapore Sports Council has made several attempts with the full support of the former Ministry of Social Affairs for the loan of the National Stadium to be written off. So far, these attempts have been unsuccessful.”
“Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. The hon. Members for Serangoon Gardens and Chong Boon are interested to know the progress of the indoor stadium. Sir, on 19th October, last year, during a Parliament session the then Minister for Social Affairs announced his Ministry's support for the proposed indoor stadium. Sir, I am happy to report that the project is on. An hon. Member: Hear! hear!”
“Sir, tests were carried out jointly in the past and, as I said, out of so many cases that we had done, only one was found. The hon. Member for Buona Vista is a professor of chemistry and if the Member can assist us, I am sure we will be very happy to have him helping us.”
“Sir, I must thank the Member for Buona Vista for having the confidence in my Ministry's staff in respect of the area of food control. I can assure him that my Ministry will continue to carry out checks on all food handlers to ensure that they maintain a high standard of public hygiene in their food preparation. Cooking oil under very high temperatures can be converted to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, especially if it is used over and over again. I presume that the hon. Member is referring to food items like zha you tiao, zha xiang jiao or zha xia ping. There are hundreds of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and they are also present in tobacco smoke, diesel fumes, smoked meat and fish, barbecued meat and even toasted bread. However, not all polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon compounds are carcinogenic. It is also difficult to detect their presence. My Ministry and the Scientific Services Department have been unable to test for the presence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Those that are carcinogenic present a health hazard if they are taken in large quantities over a long period. We believe that polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are only present in minute quantities in cooking oil and should not pose any serious public danger. As part of my Ministry's routine food inspection work, samples of cooking oil are taken for analysis to ensure that it is wholesome and fit for use. In 1983, samples of used cooking oil were also taken from 51 food establishments, that is, 22 restaurants, 17 food factories and 12 hawker stalls, to test for rancidity. Only one was found to be unsatisfactory and the proprietor was warned and advised to change the oil more frequently.”
“Sir, the Member for Chua Chu Kang has made representation on behalf of a number of cases of farmers affected by resettlement, and they have asked for hawker stalls. They mainly ask for cooked food stalls, but we do not have enough cooked food stalls for allocation. When we offered them the market produce stalls, most of these applicants did not want to take them. But because of the shortage of cooked food stalls and of our policy to resite as many hawkers as possible from the streets in order to solve our pollution problem, we have to give priority to the street hawkers.”
“Sir, in fact we are resiting hawkers into markets and hawker centres wherever there are vacant stalls available. Of course, if the market or hawker centre has to be cleared or demolished, I am sure alternative places will be provided.”
“Sir, I think hon. Members in this House are fully aware that the main source of pollution comes from the street hawkers and it is our Government's policy to resite all licensed street hawkers into properly built hawker centres and markets. Up to this date we have only a small number of hawkers left on the streets, The resiting exercise will be completed in one or two years, time. Hopefully by 1985, all the licensed street hawkers will have been cleared. I am sure that will help us keep our Singapore cleaner, particularly our rivers. As for those affected by resettlement, ie, having to move from where they live to the new housing estate, the hon. Member for Chua Chu Kang is requesting that these hawkers should also be resited and be given priority. As far as the Chua Chu Kang's case is concerned, as I said earlier, we will look into his request and see how best we can accommodate his request.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, yes, we do consider cases which are justified hardship cases. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT/EMPLOYMENT ACT (Raising of wage ceiling) 6. Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe asked the Minister for Law and Minister for Labour whether he will review the present wage ceiling of $1,250 per month specified in the Workmen's Compensation Act and the Employment Act and consider raising it to a higher ceiling to take account of the current level of wages. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng) (for the Minister for Law and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. The present wage ceiling of $1,250 pm provided under the Workmen's Compensation Act was last revised in 1981 to bring it in line with the amount prescribed in Part IV of the Employment Act. The revision from $750 to $1,250 took into account wage increases during the period between 1971-1980. The need for another revision of the wage ceiling so close after the last one is, therefore, not justified. It is, however, the Ministry's intention to adjust the wage ceiling at regular intervals if the increase in the level of wages warrants it.”
“the before-and-after school care projects, the objectives of this project are: (1) to provide places where children can go to during the hours before and after school when there is no adult supervision at home; (2) to provide opportunities for the children's educational development through the provision of tutorial aid and other informal learning activities; (3) to provide opportunities for socialization and positive relationship development among the children and between the children and the staff when the latter could serve as substitute adult models in place of the children's parents. Sir, we have approached a voluntary organization looking after children to undertake this project. They have agreed to do so, but we would like to do a feasibility study first. When this comes about we would be pleased to inform the hon. Member for Boon Lay.”
“Yes, Sir. The holiday care programme was implemented on a pilot basis at the end of the year vacation 1982. It was jointly organized by the Ministries of Social Affairs and Education. The objectives of the holiday care programme were: (1) to provide care for children who would otherwise be left without adequate adult supervision during the holiday period; (2) to provide a programme of activities which would enhance the all-round development of children and also to provide guidance for appropriate and constructive use of leisure time; (3) to organize recreational activities and individualized self-selected activities. The programme was targeted at school-going children aged 6-12 years whose parents (either both or single) are working and those who would otherwise be left without adequate adult supervision during the hours when their parents are at work. The programme was conducted over a four-week period from November to December 1982, from Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. each day. It was conducted at the Bedok South Primary School and the Ang Mo Kio Primary School. It catered for a total of 200 children, i.e. an enrolment of 100 children at each venue. Regarding the second project, i.e.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the point raised by the hon. Member for Boon Lay has been noted and we will look into it further. The hon. Member also wanted to know what the two projects are about. Sir, with your continued patience, allow me to elaborate or give detailed information not only for the hon. Member for Boon Lay but also for the hon. Members of the House as well.”
“This has improved the ratio of child care places to numbers of pre-school children from 1:300 in 1979 to 1:130 currently. My Ministry's policy with regard to the establishment of child care centres is that the centres must provide good quality child care services which would enhance the all-round development of the child. However, we wish to point out that a woman's decision to start work is also determined by factors other than the mere availability of child care facilities. The Survey of Married Women (1979) revealed that among the economically inactive women who were prepared to work, the inducements that would motivate them to do so were: attractive wages; availability of part-time work; having relatives to look after the children; and greater flexibility in working hours. 4.00 p.m.”
“Sir, on the third suggestion raised by the Member, I am pleased to inform him that my Ministry has reached agreement with the Housing and Development Board in that the Board would identify the location of suitable premises for child care centres in the newer public housing estates and to reserve such premises in the estates under construction. All new child care centres in public housing estates will be located on HDB void deck space. The Member for Boon Lay has also made some very pertinent observations about the current status of child care service in Singapore. My Ministry is fully aware that the availability of reliable and good child care services would have an important bearing on our success in attracting women to come out to work. My Ministry is also aware that a range of services should be available to meet the special needs of children of different ages as well as parents' preferences and work commitments. Since 1980, therefore, my Ministry has: (i) implemented the Family Day-Care Scheme which has so far successfully made care arrangements for 1,432 children, and has built up a pool of 3,664 care-givers whose child care services are available to working mothers; (ii) my Ministry has explored and initiated other day-care schemes, such as a Holiday Care Programme and Before-and-After School care for primary school-going children of working mothers; and (iii) my Ministry has also actively encouraged the development of child care centres, resulting in 15 new centres being opened during the period 1981-82. By the end of 1982, the aggregate capacity of all child care centres was 2,114 which represented an increase of 93.9% over the capacity as at the end of 1980.”
“Regarding the second suggestion on regular training to upgrade the quality of pre-school and child care personnel, my Ministry is fully aware of the importance of training for child care centre personnel. We have, since 1980, enlisted the assistance of the Institute of Education in conducting child care courses for centre staff. My Ministry has also run courses on infant care. During the three-year period 1980-82, nine infant and child care courses were conducted for 214 staff. The Institute of Education is not able to conduct more child care courses on a regular basis. The Institute's function is to train teachers, not child care staff. Nevertheless, it has gone out of its way to accommodate our requests for training in spite of its limited resources and competing priorities. In view of the urgent staff training needs faced by the various organizations, my Ministry has undertaken the coordination of child care courses from 1983 onwards. We project that we shall be able to run at least three child care courses, and one specialized course for an estimated 100 child care staff per year. One course is already in progress. For more advanced training, we shall have to look abroad as local expertise and facilities are very limited. My Ministry and the various organizations concerned are exploring the possibility of sending staff overseas for advanced training, with a view to forming a core of trainers who would eventually take over the training function.”
“Sir, first, I must say that the Government has been providing support for the development of child care centres in Singapore. In his speech, the hon. Member for Boon Lay made three suggestions. He suggested that we provide financial support for the setting up and operation of child care centres. Sir, since July 1980, my Ministry has been reviewing the current system of subsidies to NTUC for the operation of its child care centres, the training programmes for child care centre staff, and development plans for child care centres, among others. At present, only NTUC centres receive a Government subsidy. The other voluntary organizations which run child care centres have not sought assistance from the Government for capital or recurrent costs but have relied on their own fund-raising activities to subsidize costs. I believe they have good sponsors. Currently, subsidies to NTUC are given on a per centre basis. My Ministry has reviewed this system of granting subsidies, and is working out a system whereby subsidies would be given on a per capita basis. In considering Government subsidies for the operation of child care centres, however, my Ministry must take account of budgetary constraints. As a first step, therefore, only children attending NTUC child care centres will be considered for the proposed per capita subsidy. My Ministry will consider giving capital grants of $20,000 for each new centre set up by voluntary organizations. In fact, the NTUC has already received $60,000 for its three new centres at Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Clementi. This will serve as an incentive to voluntary bodies, and as an indication of support from Government.”
“Yes, my colleague here said it is a safety device, to make sure that nothing goes wrong. So with all these facilities being planned, I hope that members of the public, people who are getting married, will be able to enjoy better facilities. If they decide to get married after the building has been completed, they will be able to enjoy all these new facilities. Sir, I think I have answered most of the points raised and I hope the answers I have given will satisfy the Member for Alexandra.”
“There will be a solemnization room, a waiting room and a small administrative office. It will be fully air-conditioned and carpeted. The solemnization room will have curtains all round and will be appropriately furnished. The windows of the waiting room will be panelled with tinted glass to give vantage views of the beautiful landscape outside. It will be provided with comfortable and attractive sofas. Again, the hon. Member for Alexandra has missed his chance. The project was approved by the Development Planning Sub-Committee on 16th February 1982. The total project cost is $64,000 made up of renovation works and air-conditioning for the entire area and also for furniture and equipment. As I said just now, the operation will begin in June 1982. However, work has already started and it will be completed in May 1982. As regards the hon. Member's point raised just now that the first question that the staff at the Registry of Marriages ask is whether the couple have ever been married. This is a normal question to make sure that the couple have, in fact, not been married before so that proper administrative work can be done. An hon. Member: Safety device.”
“Unfortunately, the hon. Member for Alexandra has missed his chance. The Registry will be provided with sound equipment for piped-in music and for paging members of the public. The facilities that will be provided also are: two air-conditioned and carpeted solemnization rooms for the Registry of Civil Marriages and a large air-conditioned and carpeted bersanding room for the Registry of Muslim Marriages. Presently there is only one solemnization room in the present Registry. There will be bigger rooms for the two Registrars. There will be comfortable and attractive sofas which will be placed in the waiting areas for members of the public. There will be four make-up rooms, two in each Registry, one for the bride and one for the groom. This is not provided in the existing Registry. There will also be a prayer room for the staff in the Registry of Muslim Marriages. A ramp will be provided also for the car park to the ground floor of the building for the disabled. A small cafeteria in the back portion of the building will also be provided. There will be 21 car park lots and three bus bays for visitors to the Registries of Marriages. Construction work for the new registries began on 15th December 1981, and is expected to be completed by December 1982. In addition to this, Sir, perhaps the hon. Member for Alexandra as well as hon. Members of the House are also interested to know that we are setting up a Branch Registry for civil marriages at the Chinese Garden in Jurong. Work has already started and operation will start sometime in June this year. The Branch Registry of Marriages, measuring approximately 95.2 square metres, will occupy the entire first floor of the Stone Boat in the Chinese Garden.”
“The customary marriage, however, had no legal status. It was not in the interest of women that customary marriages without civil marriages should continue to be allowed as the men could take more than one wife and dissolve their marriage with relative ease. It was to protect the interest of women that the Women's Charter was brought into operation in 1961. Under the Women's Charter, a marriage, except a Muslim marriage, is valid only if it has been solemnized before the Registrar of Marriages or a person licensed to solemnize marriages. Couples who had their marriages solemnized before the Registrar of Marriages or before a person licensed to solemnize marriages may undergo customary marriage ceremonies after their civil marriage if they so desire. However, such customary marriages have no legal standing. Couples marrying under customary rites today without first obtaining a marriage certificate from the Registrar of Marriages or from a person authorized to solemnize marriages are committing an offence under the Women's Charter. This offence carries with it a penalty of imprisonment for a period up to three years or a fine of up to $5,000. 7.15 p.m. As regards the proposed Registry of Marriages, I am pleased to enlighten the hon. Member as well as hon. Members of the House some of the new facilities which will be available at the new Registries of Marriages at Fort Canning Park. The project was approved by the Committee on Project Evaluation on 6th July 1981, The total project cost is $3.48 million, of which $3.38 million will be used to pay for building works and $100,000 for furniture and equipment. The new Registry will be located amidst landscaped gardens where couples after their solemnization ceremony can take photographs in a garden setting.”
“The couple can produce the letter from the Registrar of Marriages as proof of their marital status when they visit the HDB, the Ministry of Education or other public agencies. Sir, in the case cited by the hon. Member for Alexandra, the staff of the Registry of Marriages had told the husband at the outset that his customary marriage could not be registered in Singapore. When the husband asked in what way the Registry could assist him, the Registrar advised him to produce acceptable evidence of his customary marriage to enable the Registrar to issue him a letter, the contents of which I have just mentioned. This the husband did and the Registrar thereupon issued him a letter. I have a copy of the letter here which was issued to the couple. The hon. Member also wants to know what is the rationale for the 21 days set for one's marriage to be solemnized. It is provided under the Women's Charter that any person deciding to marry in Singapore must give to the Registrar a notice in the prescribed form. The Registrar must under the law post a copy of this notice up in a conspicuous place in his office for 21 days. The 21 -day period is to enable anyone having any valid reasons to object to the marriage to do so in writing to the Registrar. On expiry of this 21-day period, if there is no valid objection received by the Registrar, the marriage may then be solemnized and registered. Such solemnization must take place within three months from the date of notice. Sir, the hon. Member also asked what is the rationale for the solemnization of a civil marriage before a customary marriage. Before the enactment of the Women's Charter, a couple who had gone through a customary marriage were recognized and accepted by society as husband and wife.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. In moving his amendment, we thought that the hon. Member would like to recount his recent experience to Members of this House. In fact, I am quite pleased that the hon. Member has brought up a few issues and I have the facts here to relay to him and to hon. Members of this House. Sir, the hon. Member for Alexandra has cited the case of a couple who, having contracted a customary marriage in Malaysia, wants to register their marriage in Singapore. At the time of marriage, the couple were both Malaysian citizens and were domiciled in Malaysia. The Women's Charter does not provide for the registration of a customary marriage contracted outside Singapore if neither party was domiciled in Singapore at the time of marriage. It was therefore not possible for the Registrar of Marriages to register the customary marriage of the couple in question, notwithstanding that subsequently the man acquired Singapore citizenship. Sir, I know that Government departments and public agencies sometimes require the production of documentary evidence of marital status, for example, when applying to rent or purchase an HDB flat or when registering a child in a school. The Registrar of Marriages will assist such couples by issuing them with a letter which will state that since the law of the country of domicile recognizes their marriage, they may be considered to be validly married. However, the Registrar can only issue them with such a letter after he has satisfied himself that they did, in fact, go through a customary marriage as claimed. Acceptable evidence would include their children's birth certificates, wedding photographs and a statutory declaration that they had undergone a customary marriage.”
“Sir, we have volunteers to come to the Home and conduct religious classes for the boys so that after their discharge they can become useful citizens again. BILLS INTRODUCED CUSTOMS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Customs Act (Chapter 133 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of Acting President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 104 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Law (Mr E.W. Barker); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed, BILL ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL "to amend the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sifting of Parliament and to be printed. LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Local Government Integration Act (Chapter 210 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of Acting President signified, presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. TRADE DISPUTES (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.37 p.m.”
“Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister whether he would request the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture for a programme over television to teach consumers how to read their own meters?”
“Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister the following questions? First, with regard to applications which have been approved, why does the CPF Board insist on having first charge on the property and holding on to the title deeds? Secondly, in the case of a civil servant who utilizes his CPF savings to redeem his Government housing loan, why is there a conflict between the Ministry of Finance and the CPF Board on the question of who is to take first charge on the property when, in fact, the CPF Board is able to resolve this problem and reach an agreement with the private sector, namely, the banks and the finance companies which are to take second charge?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let us hope the PARC will consider every case very seriously, and let us hope that the Members of this Committee do not sit around and just drink coffee but to give the benefits to the needy people. On that note, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Tan Soo Khoon - (5) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead VD-01 of the Main Estimates.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead VC-05 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in moving this amendment, I just want to tell the Hon. Minister that I am not too happy with his reply to the hon. Member for Khe Bong on the subject of public assistance allowance. Let me quote to the Minister the case of a widow who is a recipient of a public assistance allowance. In struggling to support her young dependent children, she became a washerwoman or a hawker stall assistant, earning a meagre salary. Of course, if the investigation officer were to discover that, the public assistance allowance will be stopped. I think this is very unkind. Sir, in view of the fact that, as the Minister has said, a committee has been formed to look into appeals, I would urge this committee or the Hon. Minister himself to seriously consider the appeals made by Members of Parliament on behalf of the constituents who are public assistance recipients. We hope these appeals will be favourably considered and considered quickly.”