Teong Eng Siong
Singapore
“Sir, on a point of order. (In Mandarin) Sir, just now the Minister said that by suggesting the granting of citizenship to these people I would be inviting competition because they would then be allowed to apply for hawker licence and HDB flats. I did not say that.”
“Only two? Mr Chua Sian Chin: Two out of 35 from the Land Divisions and 18 from the Radio Division. I think that is sufficient. If the Member is not aware, may I say that we have asked the Management Services Department of the Ministry of Finance to make a recent study into the adequacy of patrol cars on patrol at any one time.”
“Very often on pay days they crowd into the post office and pack up all the space, and the small number of staff would be kept very busy. According to my understanding, the small post office there will soon be receiving payments for PUB bills for the benefit of the people there. Of course, this will be convenient to the residents there.”
“Sir,I have also noticed that roads built under the gotong royong scheme are much better than those built by the contractors. Even after several years of use, these roads are still good.”
“Sir, in view of the Parliamentary Secretary's satisfactory explanation. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $159,839,000 for Head O ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $1,213,685,000 for Head O ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P -”
“Another problem concerns the many HDB flats in certain areas which have not been taken up after allotment and have been left vacant for a long time. There are many such vacant flats in my constituency, for instance. Marsiling (a part of the Woodlands New Town), and I believe the same is true of other housing estates. Why?”
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“Sir, I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Although he is not prepared to give better encouragement to sports liaison officers. I hope next year he will give them better encouragement. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 5.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8301*. (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Dr Ong Leong Boon). Mr Speaker, Sir, this allocation is for the Singapore Sports Council. Last year the grant was $2 million. For this financial year the allocation is $1 million. There is a decrease of 50%, i.e. $1 million. I would like to know the reason. With such a meagre sum of $1 million it is not sufficient to promote sports on a national scale. If we want to promote sports island-wide so as to build a rugged nation, we should have adequate funds to achieve this objective. The Singapore Sports Council has, in the past few years, made certain achievements in the promotion of sports activities, particularly in ball games. The standards of the various sports and games have also been raised. For instance, in the recent pre-World Cup Football Tournament, Asian Zone, held in Singapore, Singapore was placed second. This is quite good, though we could not get first place. That is some consolation to us. I would like the Minister to answer two questions. The first question is whether he would consider giving some transport allowance to Sports liaison officers of the various districts. They have all along contributed much to sports and games on a voluntary basis. They have used much of their own time to attend various meetings and to go out to help promote sports and games. Therefore, we should think about them and provide them with some transport allowances to encourage them. 5.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the detailed reply given by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement - Mr Ahmad Haleem: (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of item )b) of subhead AAA 3020”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary has said just now that his Department will encourage more private commercial and industrial organisations to set up creches. This is a very good proposition. I would like to ask who will be taking the initiative to get the organisations in the private sector to set up these creches, and whether his Department has taken any lead to liaise with them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BEC 1101* (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Ho Kah Leong and Ahmad Haleem). Sir, the allocation here amounts to some $860,000 which shows a decrease as compared with last year. A creche is mainly to help working mothers with children to go out and work. This service is of particular assistance to wage earning parents. This is a very good service provided by the Department. However, I would like to ask the Minister two questions. First, will his Department consider the setting up of a creche at Marsiling in Woodlands which is in the Sembawang Constituency, because there are many factories in this big satellite town and the population is also very big. The creche will help to ease the burden of the housewives when they go out to work. Second, why has the number of staff at the creches been greatly reduced? Is it because of a need to reduce expenditure, or is there any other reason? If the reason is good, maybe it would be quite acceptable. But the children need adequate care and the service at the creches will ensure that the children are safe.”
“Sir, in view of the detailed reply by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I can supply the Minister with the details of this case, so that he can look into it. I would like to say that there are also other similar cases. I have to mention this case here hoping that the Minister and also the Senior Parliamentary Secretary would pay more attention to it and to see that the officers in the Department will be more careful in such matters in future.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BEA 1101* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy). Although relief funds allocated for these years have decreased, however, there are more people who need welfare assistance. In recent years, the Social Welfare Department has promoted a scheme to enable those under relief aid to get employment. This is a good measure. It will not only reduce Government's burden of relief aid but also enable those recipients to increase their income to enjoy a better life. The Minister has said that last year the Department had helped about 400 people of old age to get employment. This is a very good move. However, I have received some complaints that the officers in the Social Welfare Department in dealing with these people have been too hasty or peremptory in their attitude. They stopped the payment of the relief aid to such people before the time was ripe and even before they could get any employment. In my constituency there is a 53 year-old woman who lives with her mother who is 73 years old. They have no children to support them, as a daughter had moved out upon her marriage. She was then receiving relief assistance at $40 per month. The officers in the Social Welfare Department found that the 53 year-old woman is still healthy physically and advised her to seek a job or the Department could help her to get a job. She took their advice. But before she could get any employment, they cancelled her public assistance. Under the circumstances, who is going to support these two aged women? This instance shows that the officers have been too hasty and the Social Welfare Department has been too presumptuous.”
“In the past, people who lived up to 70 years old were rare. Nowadays the situation is different. There are many people who have reached 70 years and are still healthy. So we should reconsider the retiring age. Maybe the Minister says that it is not under his portfolio but a matter for the Minister for Finance to decide. But I say he could start of! something in this respect in his department. The Minister can take the lead in doing something about his department. Thirdly, the question of the aged has aroused the interest of the public. In order to enable those aged people who have contributed to our society to be treated and looked after better. I would like to ask whether the Ministry concerned will start a campaign to respect and love the old people and to teach and instil a sense of respect for the aged among our younger generation.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not quite agree with what the Member for Boon Lay has said - that our Minister is "one with a stony heart". On the other hand, he appears to be a very kind person. The work of the Social Welfare Department is to be in charge of social welfare and to render welfare services to needy people. All along it has done its work quite well and I have no adverse comment to make against it. I would like to touch upon the social welfare of the aged. This matter is receiving popular attention now. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister for Social Affairs to my views on this. On the matter of providing welfare care for the aged, I know that the department concerned has been encouraging civic mutual aid organisations to set up small scale homes for the aged to accommodate destitute old people. This is a good move. I feel that these civic organisations are very willing to take up part of the responsibility in looking after the old and the destitute. But I feel that many civic organisations are not quite able financially to take up the entire burden for this task. In order to carry out their work, there is the need for substantial amounts of money to buy the necessary equipment and the facilities required. Also there is the need for a constant source of finance to meet recurrent expenditure. So I would like to ask the Minister whether he will consider allocating some funds as allowance to assist those mutual-aid organisations which run homes for the aged. Secondly, in order to assist the livelihood of the aged, will the Minister consider raising the retirement age? At present it is at 55 years. Although some people have reached 55 they are still quite healthy physically; because of the changing times.”
“Sir, although the reply from the Minister is not very satisfactory. I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.30 p.m.”
“About 60% of our population is under 21 years old. They are our priceless asset. Whether they grow up healthily or degenerate into a decadent generation will affect the future of our country. Therefore, we should not neglect this aspect of our affairs. We should consider this matter seriously and impose a ban on all such undesirable films. I hope the Minister for Culture and his officials will persuade the film distributors and agents to buy only those healthy films with educational significance for screening, otherwise they would not be approved by the Film Censorship Board. Since cinema films enjoy a large audience, business must be very lucrative, and the film distributors and agents can buy and show those good films and still make a profit. The second question is: in the past one year how many films were banned from public screening and what categories did they belong to? What were the reasons for banning such films?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead GAA 1101* (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Dr Ong Leong Boon). Sir, under this subhead I would like to pose two questions. Firstly, in the past one year I have found that the Film Censorship Board has not been stringent in its censorship of films. They have become more liberal in their censorship, resulting in certain undesirable films being screened in the cinemas, such as those violent, phantasmic, nonsensical and obscene films. All these undesirable films are having their way in Singapore and are causing an adverse effect on our people, particularly the youths. They are detrimental to the welfare of our youths. We know that our youths are still in their formative years and are susceptible to all sorts of bad influences. These undesirable films will lead our youths astray and degenerate. This is very dangerous. For example, those nonsensical, obscene or sex pictures will influence the youths to tease or molest women and girls even in public. Other films are so phantasmic and monstrous that will kindle the superstitions of the audience. Some action films are very violent and bloody in certain scenes. All these will leave an indelible influence and will cause a lot of harm to our people, particularly our youths. Recently, there has been a continued manifestation of such bad trends in our society. We can find from the statistics of the Health Ministry that there are youths both boys and girls under 14 years who have contracted VD and the number of juvenile delinquency cases is increasing year by year. We have the responsibility to provide a healthy environment for our people to live and grow in. Ours is a young country.”
“Sir, I do not quite agree with what the Minister has said - that since we have TV newsreels, there is no need for the cinemas to screen newsreels and documentary films. My point is that the TV audience and the cinema audience are quite different. The films screened in the cinemas, because they are 35 mm films, will leave a deeper impression on the audience. As regards the TV, most of the people may not bother to watch these programmes. They are interested in feature films. If we screen or telecast some local documentary films, many of them will not watch such programmes. Therefore, if these documentaries are screened in the cinemas, then the people will be more aware of the developments going on in Singapore.”
“Sir, in view of the detailed reply given by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Had there been better safety precautions taken, these unnecessary losses would have been avoided. In the field of safety precautions. I remember that some two years ago the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety was set up to look into industrial health and safety and related matters. Now after two years of research they must have some valuable and concrete proposals to make. I would like to know what are the results of the last two years and what are their recommendations. When will these recommendations be put into effect to reduce industrial accidents. Sir, other than the shipbuilding industry which shows a decreasing number of accident cases, there are still many serious accidents involving other industries, particularly the building construction industry. There were 698 cases last year. This is an area which we should pay attention to. Since we have various industrial safety provisions, they should be stringently carried out. The Minister explained that there was a shortage of inspectors and the funds allocated by the Finance Ministry were not sufficient. I am quite in sympathy with the Minister. However. I feel that this is a matter of life and death. It is not a small matter to be treated lightly. The Ministry concerned should try its best to get more funds from the Finance Ministry in order to employ more inspectors. The Inspectorate now has 77 permanent officers, including inspectors, in relation to tens of thousands of factories. I feel the number is too small. More inspectors should be recruited, in order to ensure better industrial safety.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AHA 1101* (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy). Sir, under this subhead I would like to touch upon industrial accidents. Although this question has been raised many a time in the past in this House, and the Ministry has been urged to take more effective measures to reduce its occurrence, industrial accidents continue to recur now and then. According to statistics, there were 4,252 cases of industrial accidents in 1976 and in 1975 there were 3,827 showing an increase of 425 cases. In 1975 there were 67 fatal cases, whereas in 1976 there were 62 cases, showing a slight decrease. Just about a week ago there was a serious industrial accident at the Senoko Power Plant in Sembawang which resulted in three deaths and three wounded. What is worth mentioning is that among industrial accident figures for the building construction industry, those relating to HDB worksites rate quite a high proportion. According to Volume 2, No. 8 of Lao gong zhi shi ( ) the Chinese equivalent of the "New Worker" published by the Educational Publications Bureau, in 1975 there were 651 industrial accidents in building sites, of which 155 cases involved the HDB, and from January to July 1977 there were 177 accidents involving HDB worksites, among which there were 16 fatality cases. This shows that there are still many shortcomings and loopholes in the HDB worksite safety measures. There should be more stringent control and supervision. The supervisory or managerial officers should have been severely reprimanded, because it is not a small matter that so many precious lives have been lost and so many able bodied persons have been seriously incapacitated.”
“In the past, restriction on work permits for foreign workers was meant to reserve jobs for our local people. At present, our employment situation has improved, and also there is a shortage of local drivers, barbers, grocers and coffee shop assistants. Since this is the case it is time that the Minister concerned reappraised the situation and review the policy of work permits. If these over-stringent measures were continued, it would greatly inconvenience the small businessmen adversely affecting their business. Therefore. I hope the Minister concerned will take immediate steps to ease the restrictions on work permits to solve the difficulties of the people.”
“Sir, under this amendment, I want to raise two matters, Firstly, according to complaints, it takes a very long time to get work permits, sometimes stretching to more than one month, This is very inconvenient to those factories which are in urgent need for workers. Some garment factories which have large orders have to recruit many female workers, but it is very difficult to recruit them locally. Therefore, they have to recruit from abroad. They approached the Ministry of Labour for work permits, but it takes a very long time. This is very inconvenient for these factories as it retards production. Therefore, I suggest that the Minister concerned should ease the restriction on issue of work permits to facilitate manufacturers to fulfil their orders. The second matter is a request to ease the restriction or to liberalise the issue of work permits to drivers, barbers and general shop assistants, I have often received complaints from the public concerning the difficulty in getting work permits for these people. The majority of their applications have been rejected, causing much inconvenience to many people. For example, the Secretary of the Citizens Consultative Committee in my constituency is the owner of a bookshop. He wanted to employ a driver from West Malaysia at a monthly salary of $280. He applied to the authority in charge for a work permit, but it was rejected. I also appealed to the authority on his behalf, giving my reason that it was very difficult, in fact impossible, to get drivers locally. But it was also rejected. There are many other similar cases. Therefore, I hope the Minister concerned will liberalise the conditions for the issue of work permits. This problem has existed for many years.”
“Sir, the Minister has given us a somewhat unsatisfactory answer. Nevertheless. I would beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I would like to ask how many cases of drug-taking have been discovered in the past few years and what measures or action have been taken by the military or camp authority to eliminate this abuse?”
“In that case, I will not touch on it. I think the Minister was perhaps not prepared as to how to answer my question. Let me raise the second question. It relates to consideration for exemption from national service for those whose families are in financial difficulty. For instance, if the only son in the family is the sole breadwinner, or in the case where two or three brothers are being enlisted at the same time, there should be some arrangement where they can be enlisted for national service consecutively in order to help them in their financial difficulties. In my meet-the-people sessions in the past I have also been asked to request the Ministry concerned to allow them to opt for part-time police national service, so that for the period of their obligation these youngsters could help their family by earning some money. Some such applications have been rejected which act, I feel. was too stringent or not quite humane. So I would like to ask the Minister to ask the Advisory Committee to exercise more sympathetic consideration for such petitions. Although the Committee comprises representatives from the various quarters of our society, including the industry, public service, higher institutions of learning, and professional circles, I think it would be better to include representatives from the Social Welfare Department as they understand better the plight of a poor family and so can provide the Committee with better grounds for a more sympathetic and proper consideration. What does the Minister think about this? The third question I would like to raise is about drug-taking incidents in the camps. This is a very serious matter.”
“First, will the Minister consider abolishing the decision to enlist women into national service, although the actual date has not been fixed? As it is now, we are able to recruit women by the "voluntary and open method". So is it, therefore, necessary for us to conscript our women? I am not a male chauvinist or under-estimating the capacity of our women and girls, but there is nearly a thousand years' history about women's role in military activities. I am sure you have heard of Hua Mu Lan, a girl in ancient China.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head K be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1002*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs P. Govindaswamy, Ivan Baptist and Dr Ong Leong Boon.) Sir, the Main and Development Estimates allocation for the Ministry of Defence amounts to $908 million. This is a good portion of the total budget provision. Of course, we know that it is important to build our defence capability for our security. For a young and newly emergent country like ours, it is all the more necessary to consolidate our defence so as to protect our independence and territorial integrity. So far, our national service scheme has been successful, However, as regards training, whether it is proper and adequate and whether our servicemen are being trained to be good soldiers and of good quality are matters for the authority concerned and the officers in charge to exercise constant review. In the past, I believe we have all heard of unpleasant incidents taking place in the camps or barracks. There were instances where soldiers and officers have quarrelled, leading to tragedy. There was such an incident not long ago where a soldier, because of personal affairs, had gone beyond the bounds of a soldier, Although such instances are rare, it is a matter that worries us. My question is: after two years of military life in the camps whether these youngsters have been taught the proper attitudes towards life, personal behaviour, good discipline, and a civic sense so that they are more disciplined, more matured and better behaved. This is a very important matter that merits the serious attention of all concerned. I would like to raise three questions to the Minister.”
“For example, there is the further strengthening of economic cooperation among the Asian countries, further effort in promoting international trade and further effort to make Singapore an international financial centre. These are all constructive and practical measures and are good guidelines for the development of our economy. On the whole, the Budget before the House is a body of economic policies imbued with foresight and depth and is well defined. I agree with the Minister when he says the weather ahead is fine and the Ship of State is in good shape. As long as the people continue to be hardworking and self-reliant and cooperate closely with the Government, our Ship of State will sail forward smoothly and steadily. Sir, I beg to support the Motion. 3.30 p.m.”
“What I mean is that the Primary Production Department should give them greater assistance and encouragement and that there should be a liaison between the Department and the two industries to study and plan for the development of these two industries and to allot more land to enable them to expand and earn more foreign exchange for our Republic. We should not leave these two industries to struggle and fend for themselves. If Members of Parliament in this House were to raise such a question, the Minister concerned would always say, "These are excellent suggestions and that the Ministry will consider such suggestions", but what has been the outcome? Nothing has been done. Is this correct? Our country is an insular one, surrounded by sea. I believe there is potentiality for developing our marine fishing industry. For example, large quantities of fish, prawns and crabs can be reared in our numerous islands. If the fishermen have an outlet in employment, they will not be obliged to resort to hawking as a means of livelihood. Many kelongs have been abolished. So these people were forced to take up hawking. Therefore, the development of fishery will save us tens of millions of dollars in foreign exchange. So, why not develop it. What is the answer? I would like the Minister to tell this House. Sir, the four tax concessions mentioned in the Budget statement will benefit many people, particularly the first two tax concessions, i.e, the increase in the exemption of tax on estate duty and the reduction of tax on resident pensioners. This goes to show that the Government has the interest of the middle and lower income groups of the people at heart. These measures are laudable. On Economic Development, the Minister has put forward positive plans.”
“I think these are important factors that will induce foreign investors to come and invest here. Though these are matters of detail to be carried out by civil servants. I hope the Minister will see to it that our civil servants do not tarnish the good image of Singapore as a centre for investment. The Minister in the past few years has on several occasions emphasised the need for diversification in our economy in order to overcome problems due to economic recession. Such a statement is correct. However, apart from industrial diversification, we should also not neglect the development in farming and fishery. Another question is that in the Budget statement, according to the Minister, there is a drop of 20% in the private building industry. This is due to the completion of office blocks and shopping centres and the slump in industrial building and the shipyard investment. There is a drop of 3% in private housing. What are the causes? In the beginning of 1970, the private building sector had experienced a period of prosperity and had played quite an important role in our economic development. However, in the last few years there has been a slump in this sector. What are the reasons? I think the Minister should instruct the relevant authorities to get to the bottom of the reasons for such slump in the private building industry so as to find a remedy for such defects, and in order to resuscitate the private building industry to continue contributing towards our plural economy. On the farming industry, for example, the growing of orchids and rearing of tropical fish, which are two big foreign exchange earners, however, I have not seen any effort being made by the Primary Production Department to assist these two industries.”
“On Industrial Development, the Minister said that: `Large unused production capacity and high unemployment in the industrialised countries no doubt affected the drop in new investments from overseas. The task of investment promotion for the coming year remains difficult.' Such analysis is quite correct. The Minister also laid emphasis on promotion efforts to be made in the United States. Japan and Western Europe. This shows that the Government is quite determined in developing our economy. Of course, in order to further develop our economy, we should have political stability and harmonious industrial relations which will bring about a suitable investment climate. Apart from this, we should also formulate more favourable terms for investment to attract investors from Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. There is a need to review our incentive measures. For example, there is the stipulation that foreign investors who have resided in Singapore for five years will be entitled to apply for citizenship. But, according to my knowledge, not many foreign investors have obtained citizenship. This would give rise to doubts among the foreign investors and shake the confidence of would-be investors. My question is whether the Minister is aware of the manner in which applications for citizenship by such people are dealt with and whether the incentive measures are properly carried out by the proper authorities. Has the Registry of Citizenship considered the policy that we should give incentives and encouragement to attract foreign investors? I reckon the Minister for Finance should be concerned about this matter. In addition, when foreign investors want to purchase properties or send their children to school, or have other needs, do we make it easy for them to do so?”
“I beg to support the Motion in the name of the Finance Minister. I would now like to continue with my speech which was interrupted at the adjournment last Friday. I was saying that Singapore has been transformed into a productive industrial country providing employment for the greater part of our population. This shows that our economy is on the way to recovery. On industrial training, the Minister pointed out that at the end of last year there were 8,483 full-time students and 3,373 part-time students enrolled in ITB's training courses. There was also an increase in the number of trainees trained under the various EDB training schemes. The training included mechanical, electrical and electronic courses. Of course, all these technical and mechanical training courses are necessary. If the courses are conducted properly new blood will be injected into our industrial technical reservoir for industrialisation. However, I have heard of certain adverse reports on such training schemes. For example, there is a shortage of instructors and that the contents of the courses are not very relevant to actual needs. I do not know whether there is any truth in the rumours. But since the Government has spent a lot of money, manpower and resources on these training schemes. I would like to ask whether such schemes have reaped favourable results where the trainees have been deployed in our industries and whether the skills have been put to proper use, otherwise what is learned is of no practical use and is a waste of public funds. Another question is whether the training institutes keep a record of employment statistics of those trainees relevant to their skills. I would like the Minister to inform the House of the situation in detail.”
“Without doubt the five basic elements of our long term development strategy for a sustained growth as announced by the Minister five years ago is realistic and feasible, It serves as a guideline for our economic development and points the way to our economic modernisation, We all know that because of the Government's good economic policy and strategy, Singapore has been transformed from an entrepot trading centre into a productive, industrialised country with enough employment opportunities for the people. As regards employment figures. as of June last year a total of 870,400 people were gainfully employed, an increase of 4% over the previous year 1975. This shows that we are on the way to economic recovery, and this is very encouraging to all of us.”
“Sir, on 28th February which was the 11th day of the first month of the Year of the Snake, which was still during the New Year season, the Minister for Finance brought a piece of good news to the people of Singapore. Apart from tax increases on liquor, tobacco and cigarettes, there have been no new taxes. Instead there are four tax concessions. This has enabled the people of Singapore to enjoy another year without painful increases in taxes. This shows that our Finance Minister is a person whom we can trust. He is a man who keeps his words of not raising taxes and he has now brought good prospects for the people. As a matter of fact, people are very sensitive and alert whenever the Budget is to be presented, because any new tax will have immediate effect on the people. Therefore, on that day when the Budget was to be presented, the ROV was crowded with people who wanted to pay their road tax or to apply for new road licences. Some sensitive merchants were also trying to hoard tobacco and liquor in order to make more profit before new taxes were announced. All this shows that the people are quite acquainted with the parliamentary process. They are just like frightened birds whenever the budget is about to be presented. They are nervous and worried that new taxes will be imposed. Therefore, the budget which was presented by the Minister has been a relief to the people. This manner of budgetting with the welfare of the people in mind is laudable and will generally be welcomed by the people.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether he is aware that there are many meter readers who are very lazy. They do not take the trouble to calculate the estimates. Another point is about asking the consumers to read the meters themselves. If this is put into practice, will all the meter readers be out of job?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senior Minister of State has not answered two other questions that I have raised Dr Tan Eng Liang: I have not forgotten to answer the hon. Member for Sembawang. It is not because I have not got the answer but I thought it is not important enough to answer them. Anyway, let me reply to his questions in one minute. The matter of Tanjong Irau in Sembawang area that he referred to, unfortunately does not come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Development. It comes under JTC So, would the Member please refer the matter to JTC? As to the second question about the abolition of the increase of rent from $10 to $18 for Hua Kwang School in his constituency, the primary school was acquired from the owner, with vacant possession, at a higher compensation. If the owner stays on in the premises he has to pay the rental based on the standard annual rate of 5% of the compensation. This revision in rental only applies to the owners whose properties are acquired with vacant possession. On the other hand, if the property is acquired on an encumbered basis, then there is no increase in the rent. 6.30 p.m.”
“Therefore, it is only natural for the rural dwellers to make use of their premises as shops to provide a service for the rural people, Can we say that they have done wrong? However, ever since the HDB acquired such areas, they were branded as people who were doing, illegal business and were required to stop such activities immediately. Is it reasonable to do so? I would like the Senior Minister of State to investigate into these circumstances in order to give these people a fair deal. Sir, I support the motion of thanks on behalf of my constituents, 3.50 pm.”
“However, the rental for the land has been increased by 800%, namely, the school used to pay $10 a year to the former landlord, but now the rental has been increased by the HDB to $80 per month. Such a measure is highly irrational. Firstly, the School Management Committee was responsible for the building of the school, and it has been in existence for more than ten years. The Housing and Development Board has not spent a single cent on the school. Secondly, the school is a place for the education of our young and not a profit-making enterprise. In the President's policy speech it is stated that it is still the Government's policy to subsidise education, medical and housing services. This school is an educational institution. Therefore, it is right and proper for this school to get a subsidy from the Government. The HDB's action is a departure from Government policy. Therefore, it is unreasonable for the HDB to increase the rental for the land. I would urge the Minister concerned to consider rescinding such an act. Secondly seven shopkeepers who are voters have complained to me that they have received notices from the HDB telling them not to continue with their businesses because they were considered illegal. However, these people told me that they have been carrying on such businesses in those areas for more than ten years, Although the premises originally were meant for dwelling purposes, they had converted them into shop premises. Some ten years ago, in the rural areas there were hardly any shops, because neither the Government nor the private developers would be interested in building shophouses there.”
“They have to understand that the aim of resettlement is in the long-term interests of the nation, If they can, they will give further support to the policies of the Government. Mr Speaker, Sir, in my constituency, certain areas of land have been requisitioned by the Government. The areas affected are: a portion of Jalan Pasar, Sembawang, a portion of Andrews Avenue at the 1 5th mile, and certain portion of the land near Tanjong Irau at the 15th mile. About 100 families aye affected by the resettlement scheme, among them are seven shop premises. These people came several times to ask me concerning resettlement matters, and also about how long they could continue to reside in those places or how long they could carry on with their business there, As the MP for this rural constituency, of course, it is my duty to be concerned about their welfare. Therefore. I made enquiries from the Ministry concerned, The reply given was that it might take a few years more before actual enforcement of the resettlement. In fact, they were also not very clear about the situation, Such vague answers are not satisfactory, For the well-being of my constituents, to alleviate their hardship and to allay their worries I would urge the Minister to pay particular attention to the work of the Resettlement Department. He should instruct the officers in the Resettlement Department to abide by the Government's policy of caring for the welfare of the people, and not cause unnecessary trouble or loss to the people. I would like to bring two valid complaints to the attention of the relevant authorities, In my constituency, there is a school which is known as Hwa Kwang School, whose land has been acquired by the Housing and Development Board. They have come to an agreement on the quantum of compensation.”
“The Addendum advocates the policy of the Government to develop Singapore's rich cultural heritage derived from the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western civilisations, and, through their cross-fertilisation, to evolve a national cultural identity. The Ministry of Culture will continue to organise a wide range of activities to promote a better appreciation of our cultural heritage. Of course, such a policy is entirely correct. But in practice, do we drive home this spirit in our actual work? I think there is a gap between what we advocate and what we really do. Most of our TV programmes are imported. Locally produced programmes are few in number. For example, a certain marketing consultancy company has carried out a survey of TV viewers and found that there are 10 most popular programmes like "The Heroes" and "Beauty of an Era", Among them only one is locally produced, namely, "Musical Showcase", But 80% of the artistes appearing in that programme are from abroad. Therefore, we can see that locally produced programmes are few in number and the standard is also rather low. This is a matter for regret. Therefore, I suggest that the Ministry concerned should go all out to nurture our artistic talents and to produce more local TV programmes befitting local situation in order to meet the demands of the people for a cultural life. Sir, in the Addendum on the Ministry of National Development it says that: `In addition to the provision of HDB flats for residential cases, there will be alternative premises or cash payments in lieu for shops, resettlement facilities for specific trades ...` Of course, all these measures and facilities will alleviate the hardship of those affected by resettlement.”
“In other words, the Government should consider subsidising certain services provided by the PUB just as the President has said in his speech that the Government is subsidising education, medical services, and housing. Whilst our economy is still in the midst of recovery, I do not agree to such increase in PUB charges. I also agree with the Member for Leng Kee who suggested in this `House on 14th February 1977 that all those surcharges to PUB bills should be abolished. I have received numerous complaints from my constituents that their PUB bills have unexpectedly increased, by sometimes more than 100%. Payment for the previous month's bill was $50, this month it has risen to $120. It is like a rising tide. However, in the matter of PUB charges, they never come down. After investigation, such amounts are found to be based on estimates and not because of their increased consumption; the excess could be deducted from the next bill. My constituents asked why are these estimates not based on figures of the previous month. Such complaints are quite common. I believe, Sir, even among your constituents you have come across such complaints. Whose fault is this? I think the General Manager of PUB should be blamed, because he has not directed his subordinate officers to carry out their work properly, thus causing inconvenience to the people and their discontent against the Government. I appeal to the Chairman of the PUB, who is none other than the Minister for National Development and Communications, to restructure or reorganise the administrative set-up of the PUB so as to render satisfactory service to the people. Let me now touch on the Addendum on the Ministry of Culture.”
“It should review the matter of taxes and see what could be increased and what could not be increased. It is very easy to increase taxes. The race course is crowded with bettors and gamblers. If the Turf Club increases its admission fee by, say, $5 then the Government will collect millions of dollars in revenue. But the people who patronise the food stalls come mostly from the middle and lower income groups, such as office workers, taxi drivers, civil servants and trishaw-riders. They are able to get cheap meals at these centres and this indirectly helps to lighten their cost of living. Mr Speaker, Sir, if you will remember, it is the policy of the Government to resite the hawkers at the various food centres to enable them to make a living and also to provide cheap meals. It also aims to stabilise and reduce the cost of living. Another authority which contemplates raising tariffs is the PUB. This has caused concern among the people, especially those in the lower income group. A lot of people have found these yearly increase in PUB charges very burdensome. I agree that nothing is for free in this world, If you want something, you must pay for it. However, water and electricity are essential commodites. They are not luxuries and the charges are already high. So as a trusted Government, I believe it is the Government's duty to offer such services to the people as conducive to their well-being. The PUB should not be run as a commercial enterprise which only thinks in terms of profit-making. Furthermore, the PUB has accumulated considerable surpluses over the years.”
“Thirdly, every year the Government awards many scholarships to students who excel in their studies, yet we have not `given any scholarship to workers who are capable and intelligent. Such awards will enable them to further their studies. I therefore suggest that we should consider the institution of a scholarship for the workers in order to nurture a pool of elite workers. Such a step will help to promote a spirit of love for labour among the people. Mr Speaker, Sir, I remember in last June, under the auspices of the Prime Minister, we carried out a nation-wide campaign on "Use Your Hands". This is a campaign rich in education significance. I believe that we should frequently carry out such an educative campaign. Not only all the MPs should take part in this educational campaign, civil servants from the top echelon to the middle grades should also take part in labour, so as to enable them to experience the significance of labour and help promote the good vogue of respect for labour. Sir, let me now touch on certain problems in the Addenda. In the various Addenda, I paid special attention to the problems faced by the hawkers, in particular the raising of hawker licence fees. This will mean an increased cost to the hawkers. According to my knowledge, licence fees at certain food centres are already high. Apart from paying the licence fees they have to pay PUB charges. If licence fees are revised upwards, this will mean a greater burden to them, and they will pass on such increased cost to the consumers. This will lead to another bout of inflation, Therefore, Mr Speaker, Sir, before the Government does anything to increase the hawker licence fees, it should give careful consideration and try to abolish it.”
“This will not only save us a lot of foreign exchange but also earns for us an expanded market for our products. It is also to be stressed that this is an act of patriotism. Sir, there is no doubt that in the last 10 years, because of economic prosperity and increased incomes of the people, certain portion of our people have taken to some unwholesome habits. They are obsessed by an urge to seek material comforts and enjoyment without working. This is a bad phenomenon. We have to rekindle the love and respect for labour among our people. How are we going to do that? I believe that we should adopt certain measures or policies. One, we should shorten the wage differentials, for instance, between an engineer earning from $1,200 to $1,500 and an ordinary construction worker earning only $200 to $300 per month. Of course, this results in a shortage of labour in the construction industry, and therefore need to recruit labour from foreign countries. Our Minister for Labour has on many occasions emphasised the need to adjust the wages between the managerial grade and that of manual workers. I welcome such constructive policy and its early implementation. Secondly, we must foster the social vogue of respect for labour and accord the diligent worker with adequate reward and honour, because workers and labourers have made great contributions to our national construction. Annually, on National Day we award all classes of medals to people who have rendered meritorious services to our country; but we have yet to find a labourer or a worker among those awarded by the President. Therefore. I think we should institute an honours list for our workers in recognition of their meritorious contributions to our country.”
“This means that we have to be pragmatic and realistic and that we have to lead a simple and austere life. In fact, a frugal life style is a traditional oriental virtue. The policy speech also indicates that we should learn from the experience of the Japanese. I share the same sentiments, because the Japanese people are not only hardworking and self-disciplined but also imbued with the spirit of patriotism and a love for their national products. Of course, our people are also imbued with a high sense of patriotism, so, that we are able to achieve much in a short period of time. However, there is a shortcoming among our people, that is, a lack of confidence in our own local products. Let me give an example. According to a newspaper report, certain jeans made in Singapore were shipped to a foreign country and chopped with the words, "Made in -(the name of the foreign country)", and then they were sent back to Singapore and sold at a price four or five times above Singapore made jeans. In other words, the jeans made in Singapore costing only $9 to $11 a piece, had gone up to $30-$5O if they were chopped with the words "Made in -", a foreign country. Yet our local consumers do not mind spending so much money for such jeans. There are a lot of examples of a similar nature. What does this show? It shows the manifestation of the xenophilous psychology, feeling that local ginger is not hot enough and that the moon in foreign countries is rounder than the moon in Singapore. Apart from embarking on industrialisation and manufacturing industries and expanding our export markets, we have also to take positive steps to convince and persuade our local people to buy our local products.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before I speak, in this festive season, let me wish you, Mr Speaker, and all hon. Members a Happy Chinese New Year. Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion moved by the Member for Ulu Pandan thanking the President for his speech delivered on the 8th February, outlining the Government's policy. In the Presidential Address, three important aspects have been highlighted. First, in promoting national consciousness, we should strive to instil the precept, namely, "From each his best; To each his worth." This will alienate the social parasites. This correct directive will make for diligence and self-reliance. Secondly, we should select what is best from the West and fit it into our context and realistic situations so as to promote all round development. Unlike some other countries, we do not blindly ape foreign examples or regard anything foreign as golden rules. For by so doing we will only succeed in driving the country to the dogs. Thirdly, we must learn the experience of the Japanese and understand how Japan was able to transform herself into a modern industrial nation in less than 100 years since the Meiji Restoration of 1868. No doubt, for a country like ours, devoid of natural resources, we have no other choice but to utilise the hard work, industry, intelligence and the spirit of self-reliance of our people and to adopt certain pragmatic measures in our development, in addition to adopting all practical constructive policy so as to assure our future and our development. The policy speech also emphasised that we have to face the fact of a slower economic growth rate and that we should adjust our spending habits, both as a government and as individuals.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Senior Minister of State consider building a running track around this Park so that our youths can use it for exercise?”
“In view of the Minister's detailed reply, I would like to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $20,847,690 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $28,885,750 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 4.52 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head X be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 1201*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Yeo Toon Chia.) Sir, under this amendment I would like to ask the Minister a few questions. Firstly, up to now, what success has been achieved in the promotion of the metric system? Is the Minister happy with the achievements so far? I remember last year the Ministry launched the metrication exhibition and there was such an exhibition in the community centre in my constituency. I would like to ask the Minister whether the Ministry is going to continue with such exhibitions or campaigns to promote metrication, so that more and more people will be better informed on how to use the metric system. 4.45 p.m. Secondly, with regard to metrication education in schools, are students positively taught the use of metric system and whether the teaching of metrication in the schools has achieved good results? Thirdly, the introduction of the metric system to retail traders seems to have stopped this year. Why is this so? Does it mean that there has been some setback in the campaign to promote the use of metric system in our shops? Fourthly, I wonder whether the Minister has seen on our TV an advertisement showing two apples weighing 100 grams. The viewers could not quite comprehend this, wondering whether it means any two apples together must weigh 100 grams? How can they say that every apple weighs 50 grams, because there are big and small apples as there are big and small pears. Not only the public do not get the intended message on metrication but they are misled into believing that each and every apple weighs 50 grams. I would like the Minister to pay attention to such TV advertisements.”
“Sir, just now the Minister mentioned the figure of $800 with regard to income. I would like to ask him whether this sum is in terms of Singapore dollars or other currencies,”
“Finally, I would like to ask the Minister about the average income per year of our nationals, whether there was an increase last year and what was the percentage rate of increase. Mr Ho See Beng: I would like to ask the Minister to clarify this point. The Minister has said that the time has come for the NWC to consider whether it should not include all forms of wages and wage increases, including annual increment, in the computation of the annual NWC wage supplement. This brings about fear and speculation in the labour movement that the Government may be toying with the idea of abolishing annual increment provided for in the freely negotiated collective agreement. Whether the Government has such an intention to do away with annual increment is the question I would like the Minister for Finance to clarify.”
“Sir, I would like to raise four supplementary questions or suggestions for the Minister to consider. For the sake of diversifying our economic development the Minister for Finance has often stressed on this I would like to suggest to the Minister the following. Firstly, encouragement should be given to family type or cottage industries such as garment industry, furniture industry and food-packaging industry, because these industries are of a low cost nature involving only a very small amount of capital, whereas they can provide housewives with employment opportunities besides cheap goods for our people. Secondly, some undeveloped hand or small islands should be allotted for large scale vegetable growing and breeding of fish and prawns to provide more job opportunities, and on the other hand, to save large sums of foreign exchange on imported food. Thirdly, the PPD should set up a research unit to study how to further develop our orchid and tropical fish industries because the products of these two industries have been enjoying international popularity. Every year the products are earning for us large sums of foreign exchange. If we can raise and improve their quality and plan for large scale production, I am sure they will bring about greater economic benefits to our country in future. Fourthly, the EDB should prepare a comprehensive report on investment statistics and quickly collect information on international market conditions so as to provide ready and satisfactory information to intending foreign investors. This will be of great help in attracting foreign investment here. According to our statistics, last year foreign investments had reduced by 65%. What is the reason? I feel the Minister should go deeper into the cause and try to seek out some remedial measures.”
“In this respect, the Trade Department should get all the manufacturers and merchants concerned together to organise trade exhibitions jointly every year in order to introduce our local products and their good quality to the people and to foster their understanding and confidence in locally produced goods n order to buy more of them. Ideologically we should also encourage the patriotic consciousness of our people. This will not only help `the promotion of our local industries but also will be conducive to our economic development. I hope the Government department concerned would try to launch such campaigns on a large scale in order to promote the popularity of our locally produced goods and help their development. 2.45 p.m. Fourthly, the Minister for Finance also said that the Asian Dollar Market has achieved some progress last year. This could be seen from the increase of investment in our Asian Dollar Market last year, which totalled some USS 12.6 billion, or 22% more than 1974. From the point of view of our development as a financial centre, our Asian Dollar Market is successful. This achievement has given greater confidence in international circles and has induced them to make large capital investments in our financial market, and this also helps to strengthen our currency, The Minister has given three tax concessions to further develop our Asian Dollar Market. I would like the Minister to give more details of the activities of the Asian Dollar Market, and I would also like to suggest four proposals to the Minister. The Chairman: Mr Teong, your time is up.”