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 Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.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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“In order to take a lead in the leisure business, the Government has invested in leisure enterprises such as the Sentosa Golf Club and the Jurong Golf Club - these enterprises are expected to cover not only costs but also to yield a reasonable return on capital invested. The takeover of the chalets at Sentosa by a local hotel has invited comments from the general public. According to the plans of the hotel, the area will, be further developed involving a large capital outlay. Members of the public have anticipated that the present high rentals of these chalets will rise even further, beyond the reach of the common Singaporean who wishes to spend his vacation or weekend there. Luxurious leisure will always be expensive and exclusive to those who can and wish to pay for them. Simple leisure has yet to be priced out of the reach of the common Singaporean. It is true that the proliferation of unlicensed hawkers has been brought under control. Nevertheless, there are still hawkers who for some reason are not being issued with licences, As a result of this, they are constantly harassed by inspectors from the Hawkers Department. These inspectors swoop down on them in the most inhuman way, raiding them like a police party raiding a gangster hideout. Hawkers, young and old, have to leave behind their wares, and sometimes even their money is scattered all over the place, and to run for their lives. Conveniently, the goods are carted away as if they are contrabands. An hon. Member: Shame!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Addendum on the Ministry of National Development further states the emphasis on planning and improving the social and recreational facilities, better infrastructure and public amenities in pleasant and gracious environment in the next five years. These are positive measures which go along with the building of HDB and HUDC flats. However, we must not forget that the rising cost of leisure is now borne by the general public. As for the general public, the Government has established parks, swimming pools and lagoons, zoological gardens and other scenic spots like the Japanese and Chinese gardens and have, at most, levied a small fee far within the reach of the common citizen. The fee is to cover operating costs. There are some other places where no fees are levied at all. These exceptions should not be taken for granted without regard to the funds and effort put into realizing these facilities. Private enterprise establishments which provide entertainment for the general public, such as the cinemas, have kept their prices within the reach of the general public. It is a fact that nothing is for free, and that all needs will have to compete with one another for resources to realise them. Leisure establishments set up by private enterprises are required by their owners to cover costs and eventually make a reasonable return on the capital invested. Citizens who wish to patronise these establishments, such as nightclubs, bowling alleys and golf clubs, must be prepared to pay for these facilities.”
“This merely proves that there has been a lack of proper and vigilant supervision by HDB which takes over blocks of flats from contractors without first conducting a full inspection of the flats. Sir, the problem does not end there. The HDB does not spell out its instructions clearly to tenants in regard to regulations governing the renovation of flats. Usually after a tenant has completed renovation works, the bureaucratic HDB officers will then come to give a notice to the tenant ordering him to reduce the thickness of the flooring because the thickness of the screed has exceeded the maximum allowed by the Board. But at the time when application for renovation of the flat is made to the Board, the tenant is not informed of certain restrictions. However, when tenants make complaints to the Board about the slipshod work done by the contractors, the HDB officers show no concern at all, except remarking that the defects are minimal. One wonders sometimes why slipshod work on the part of contractors is condoned by the Board. Sir, some of the shortcomings of the HDB are causing concern among tenants as well as would-be tenants of H DB accommodation. All these shortcomings should not be thrusted down the throats of the tenants. Nevertheless, we are proud that the HDB's achievement is second to none in other parts of the world. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“They should be specifically told where to go and what to do so that they need not be inconvenienced or waste unnecessary travelling expenses, valuable time and energy. Sir, providing them with alternative accommodation at concessional rentals for a certain period will certainly help, but unfortunately these small-time farmers who pay only a few dollars a year for occupying land will definitely find it difficult to pay even the concessionary rent unless in addition they can be given priority of suitable employment. They should be given preference when they apply for a hawker licence. In Changi Village business is practically bad for all the shopkeepers. They are finding it difficult to pay their rent, even though they are given special concessions at the moment. Perhaps the Housing and Development Board can consider deferring the annual increase in their rent until their business improves with the operation of the new Changi International Airport. Sir, the Housing and Development Board, on the other hand, must be complimented for its achievement in having completed about a quarter million housing units for 55% of our population. It is most gratifying to note that the HDB is doing a very fine job and will further accelerate the implementation of its fourth five-year Building Programme for another 150,000 units by 1980. This is absolutely encouraging as it reduces the waiting period for applicants wanting to buy or rent HDB flats. However, at this pace of development, the quality aspect should not be sacrificed for quantity. More emphasis must be laid on the quality of construction. Presently, there have been numerous complaints from flat owners about the poor finish. Fixtures and fittings are haphazardly completed.”
“It is conceivable that they cannot adapt themselves easily to the assembly lines of factories or building sites. It should be the policy of the Resettlement Department to show concern for the livelihood of these people. Admittedly, it is not possible to provide alternative sites for all farmers affected by resettlement. Perhaps the Primary Production Department can assist in alleviating their plight by teaching them the hydroponic method of growing vegetables and fruits, which requires less land. Sir, being uprooted from the villages and kampongs is already a great sacrifice for national progress, but to be deprived of their means of livelihood is too high a price for them to pay. The monetary compensation awards in lieu of alternative farm sites are not adequate. It is, however, difficult to establish the authenticity of their complaints. Nevertheless, true or false, they are dissatisfied and unhappy. The relevant authorities should look into the matter and rectify any anomaly that may exist, or make every effort to dispel any dissatisfaction in their minds. There seems to be no standard rates of compensation for the loss of fruit trees, pig sties, etc. There are complaints that the affected people are not compensated with the amount originally quoted in writing by the resettlement officers. When discussing resettlement terms, these unsympathetic officers show little patience with the affected people who are illiterate and who are often hurriedly made to sign statements or documents without first being given a clear explanation. They ~re also told in writing to report to the resettlement officers who do not indicate where they should go. When they call at Maxwell Road Office, they are redirected to Toa Payoh Office, without apology. This happens time and again.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at the close of yesterday's sitting, I was speaking on drug abuses by unscrupulous elements. Their indulgence in such unlawful activities affect the good name of Singapore, and I would now like to continue. The public must be effectively urged and encouraged through the mass media and the cinemas to be vigilant and to give their fullest cooperation in this matter, without which success in the enforcement of severe punishment of offenders will be very minima). There is no doubt that there is a need to extend our sympathy to the innocent who for some reason has been associated with anti-social elements, thus exposing themselves to evil influences. Nevertheless, it is clearly essential to ensure that the penalty fits the crime of drug offences, be they traffickers, pushers or peddlers. Sir, the Addendum on the Ministry of National Development in regard to resettlement has prompted me to highlight certain anomalies that need rectification. The rapid development and expansion of public amenities has made resettlement of the people inevitable. Today most of the people have accepted the Government's policy of mass resettlement for national development. However, such a massive movement of people from their familiar surroundings and mode of life as well as their means of livelihood has not been carried out with as little suffering as possible to the people affected. Many affected constituents have been greatly inconvenienced by unsympathetic bureaucratic Government officers who show little patience and concern to the people affected. The Resettlement Department has not actually taken into consideration the livelihood of the affected elderly farmers, in particular those who have been in this occupation for many years.”
“In the Addendum on the Ministry of Home Affairs, the President stated that drug abusers and addicts must be flushed out and isolated for a sufficiently long period to prevent them from infecting others. It is most alarming to know that the habit of drug consumption by youths in Singapore will continue to grow and infect many other innocent people. Sir, in spite of tough measures taken by the Government to control and wipe out drug trafficking and drug pushing, the traffickers and pushers are not taking the law seriously. They are still doing a very profitable business. These unlawful activities are causing a major problem to our effort in nation-building. The situation has deteriorated tremendously that the evil drug-traffickers are even tarnishing the good name of our Republic by taking advantage of our strategic geographical position to distribute drugs to many other European countries. We must find ways and means to deal with this serious problem. Surveillance work will need to be undertaken to keep an ever watchful eye on suspect drug traffickers with the objective of ultimately arresting and prosecuting them. I fully support the Government in making use of the Police. Special Constabulary and Vigilante Corps extensively to help deal with the growing menace which undoubtedly requires the public's full support and information. The public must be effectively urged and encouraged through the mass media and the cinemas to be vigilant and give their fullest cooperation in this matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join hon. Members of this House in supporting the Motion moved by the Member for Ulu Pandan to thank the President for his speech delivered on behalf of the Government at the Opening of the First Session of the Fourth Tuesday, 8th February, 1977. Sir, the overwhelming mandate given by the people of Singapore for the People's Action Party to continue to govern is a clear-cut encouragement to all hon. Members in this House, particularly the new MPs including me, to strive harder in the coming years in order to maintain political, social and economic stability for our nation which has to further develop, industrialise and hopefully aim for an annual growth rate of 6-8% whilst there are uncertainties and anxieties amongst major industrial nations of the West. The effects of the increase in oil price will undoubtedly slow down our economic activities. However, with the, confidence entrusted to the enlightened leadership of the PAP Government, I am positive that our economic and social dislocation in the light of present recession will be minimised. I applaud the statement in the President's Address that the Government will exercise its authority to govern with circumspection and moderation. Sir, the vote of confidence does impose a heavy responsibility on the Ministers to act fairly and firmly. As a new Member in this House, together with my ten new colleagues, times ahead will be just as difficult for us who will have to excel in consistently high performance in order to be awarded recognition. Likewise, the civil servants in all the ministries should enhance the quality of their service. Hard work, honesty, courtesy and helpfulness are the vital ingredients in fulfilling the objectives of efficiency in dedicating their public duties.”