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 Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.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 beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The increased sum of $1,021,520 Head 50 ordered to stand part of Development Estimates. Head 52 -”
“Sir, if that is the case, I will not touch further on it. I would like to ask a further question: how many television sets do we have at the present moment?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with you. But since we have the Television and Broadcasting Services, we must have the programmes. 6.00 p.m. What is the use of a television station without sufficient good and constructive programmes? So I hope we will get praise from all quarters when we debate this same item next year. Another point is this. I would like to ask the Minister who is in charge of educational television which will be started next year ---”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 50 be reduced by $100*. Under this head the vote is $1,021,520. The allocation for the Permanent Television Centre is $170,000, and that for Improvement to Television and Broadcasting Services is $851,500. Our Government has made some achievement in the provision of television services so that our people can enjoy the same facilities as those enjoyed by people in advanced countries. The television station is not only aimed at providing high-class recreation and amusement programmes to our people but also to instil in the people a sense of national consciousness and patriotism. But, in the past, has the television station achieved these two high objectives? During our debate on the cultural programmes put up by this television station, it would seem that these two objectives have not been realised. I personally feel that there should be many changes in the television programmes in order to improve the contents to achieve these two objecttives. More films of an educational nature should be screened and nonsensical programmes should be reduced.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $100. Under this head the vote is $2,586,000 to provide for the setting up of quarters for Customs officers and the Jurong Customs Stations. I would like to ask, firstly, whether the setting up of the Jurong Customs Stations is to meet the needs of our exports by pioneer industries, and whether these stations can facilitate our external trade. When will these stations be built? Secondly, how much is the rental to be paid for the quarters in these Customs Stations?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a question. I have not moved my amendment to Head 40.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not moving. The increased sum of $228,010 for Head 33 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 40 - The following amendment stood in the names of Mr S. V. Lingam, Mr Tang See Chim, and Mr Lim Cheng Lock - That the sum to be allocated for Head 40 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 103.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $117,000 for Head 32 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 33 - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong - That the total sum to be allocated for Head 33 be reduced by $100.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated Head 32 be reduced by $100. The provision of $117,000 is mainly for the extension of the Dental Clinic at the General Hospital. I would to ask the Minister what kind of services are provided by this Dental Clinic. Another point is this. As far a know, the Eye Clinic provided service in the past. I do not know whether this has now been stopped and if it is so, why? 5.00 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn The increased sum of $1,813,830 for Head 31 ordered to stand part of Development Estimates. Head 32 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is more than enough. Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, the provision of $1,813,830 for this head is mainly for the setting up of refuse disposal plant. I would like to know when the work will start and when it will be completed. I would also like to ask the Minister whether he intends to build Government markets in the rural areas. The Chairman: The Question is, "That the total sum to be allocated Head 31 be reduced by $100." Mr Yong, you have your two minutes now.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The increased sum of $1,894,070 for Head 30 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 31 - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr S. V. Lingam - That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 204.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply and beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The increased sum of $1,000,010 for Head 23 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 30 -”
“I agree with what you say, Mr Speaker, and thank you for the correction. But in any case, what I want to say has some connection with the Teachers' Training College. I would like the Minister to pay more attention to the training of teachers. Has he got any concrete plans in the future to ensure that the teachers trained are really dedicated to education? Mr Speaker, Sir, in future, trainees will have to pay for their training in the T.T.C. I would like to ask how much will be the fees for each student per year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 23 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, under this head, a sum of $1 million is voted for the purpose of building a Second Teachers' Training College, among other works. The raising of the standard of teaching among teachers concerns the Singapore Government and the country as a whole. The quality of teachers and their dedication to education are very important to the fostering of a fine generation in future. The two are very closely connected ---”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his explanation and beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The increased sum of $580,020 for Head 22 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 3.45 p.m. Head 23 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 22 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker. Sir, under this head the vote is $580,020 for the development mainly of the Queenstown Vocational Institute. At the present juncture, our country is industrialising quite progressively and successfully. So we require, as a matter of course, more technical personnel for our industrial growth and to man our factories. But the vote for next year is only $580,020. I would like to ask the Minister why only a small vote is asked for. Another question is this. As far as I am aware, there are vacancies in the vocational institutes. I do not know whether this is true or not. If it is true, can the Minister explain whether he proposes to fill the vacancies so that every place is fully made use of and so that more students will be encouraged to receive education in the vocational institutes? The last question I would like to ask the Minister is whether he is aware of the actual development of vocational education and whether he is satisfied with the progress so far.”
“This will give them more opportunity in competing in life.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 21 be reduced by $100.* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi.) Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for some information about the development of secondary and technical education. Where is he going to build the new secondary and vocational schools? Mr Speaker, I would like to add certain comments on this item. According to present plans, the siting of schools is concentrated in certain areas. For instance, in the Mountbatten Constituency there are no less than 20 to 30 schools. The allocation of the sites for schools is not equitable. Students living in the neighbouring constituencies have to pay for transport to go to the schools in this area. Another complaint is that there are too few schools in the rural areas. For example, in my own constituency of Sembawang, there are too few schools. I would like the Minister to pay attention to this matter. I would also like to ask whether Sembawang or Nee Soon will have any secondary schools or vocational schools under the development plan. The third point is this. According to the present policy, only two years' training will be allowed to students in the secondary vocational schools. After this, they will have to leave school regardless of the result. But we must not forget that, on the average, the age of the students is about 16 years. So how do you expect 16-year old boys to get employment after leaving school? I would like to ask the Minister whether he is prepared to extend vocational education by one year. The students will thus have three years' vocational education so that when they leave school they will reach the age of 18. This is a better age for seeking employment.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for his explanation and beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The increased sum of $2,457,030 for Head 20 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 21 -”
“Sir, if that is the case, I think the Minister will be very lacking in understanding what I have asked about this. Let me now talk in general terms. The Minister seems to know too little about what I have asked. I would like to ask some questions relating to the setting up of a Physical Education Centre. I hope the Minister can give this House some information. I have some suggestions to make also. Firstly, we must have a concrete plan and there should also be a realistic, policy. In addition to the setting up of the Centre, we should also have plans to produce a set number of sportsmen every year. Secondly, we should have capable and experienced people as coaches and other officers in charge of the Physical Education Centre. Thirdly, a practical programme should be mapped out to train school boys and school girls, especially during their vacation, in order to produce more able sportsmen and sportswomen. From the results of our performance in international games, our standard is too poor and I hope the Minister can pay attention to this.”
“Thank you, Sir, I will not give too many details on what I have said. Let me now return to the Adult Education Board. Since last year the development of adult education has had great success. There are more than 60,000 students attending adult education classes. This is really a great achievement in the eradication of illiteracy in Singapore. So I feel that the setting up of an Adult Education Centre is very necessary and appropriate at this juncture and that after it has been set up, the Adult Education Board will be better able to carry out its work and we can score total success in the eradication of illiteracy. I would now like to touch on educational T.V. This is an attempt to try out a new medium of instruction in our country. According to the experience of other countries, educational T.V. has achieved great results. I would like to ask whether the department concerned has any concrete plan to carry out educational T.V., what languages will he used as the media of instruction, and what will be the contents of such education. I hope the Minister can give details to this House. I would now like to touch on the Physical Education Centre. Would I be wrong if I touched on it?”
“Sir, we know that the success and progress of an independent and sovereign country depend on the availability of trained and professional men in all fields. In this respect, the Prime Minister said at a function in connection with Nanyang University on 29th October,. 1966, that our country needs to produce a new generation which is well-educated, with a knowledge of the cultural background of the various races, and skilled in various ways in order to meet the requirements of our national production - meaning people with the technical know-how - and that University students are the future leaders of our society. Therefore, the task of University students is very great indeed. In the past, they only thought in terms of themselves, but now they have to change their attitude. At present, they should think in terms of the future of the country. They should realise that the country has spent a great sum of money on their education. 3.00 p.m. Therefore, they owe a debt to the nation. Once they have learnt something, they should place their knowledge and ability at the service of the country. Recently there have been many incidents in Nanyang University. The Chairman: Order. Before we started today's proceedings, I told Members that we are on the Development Estimates and that the matters to be debated are Government's proposals for development under the various heads and subheads. Although we are now on the Ministry of Education, I do not think it is proper at this stage to talk about the past activities of students. So I would ask the Member for Sembawang to try to relate his remarks to matters of development rather than the ordinary day-to-day policy in the Ministry of Education or in the various educational establishments?”
“All right, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 20 be reduced by $l00. Sir, we know that this vote is meant, among other projects, for Works and Buildings and Furniture and Equipment for the University of Singapore, as well as for Works and Buildings, Scientific Equipment and Library Books for Nanyang University. A part of the vote is also meant for projects and sports activities to be carried out by the Adult Education Board at the Adult Education Centre. This shows that the Government has been paying great attention to the problems of higher education and adult education in the technical and academic fields. If we want to have sufficient personnel to man every section of production, we must have enough schools to produce engineers, technicians, artisans, skilled workers, and so on. We are still short of doctors and the number produced by the University of Singapore is still not sufficient to meet local needs. So I think that very careful attention should be paid to the development of the Medical Faculty of the University of Singapore so that, from next year onwards, it will be able to produce enough doctors to meet the requirements of our society. I would like to ask the Minister whether he has any intention to set up an Aeronautical Faculty in the University of Singapore to train personnel for the Civil Aviation Department. I understand the present personnel are not locally recruited, and therefore I would like to find out from him whether he has any plans to train local aeronautical personnel in the University of Singapore so that all the posts in the Civil Aviation Department can be Singaporeanised.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to know whether I can move my amendment to Head 01 first. I was delayed on my way here by a funeral procession.”
“I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $652,230 for Head 1112 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. The Chairman: The remaining heads of expenditure in respect of which no amendment stands on the Order Paper are Heads 0101, 0102, 0106, 0303, 0306, 0308, 0704, 0802, 0803, 0805, 0806, 0808, 1006, 1103, 1106, 1107 and 1110. Question, "That the sums stated for those heads of expenditure which appear in the last column of the Abstract of Estimated Expenditure on pages 53 and 54 of Paper Cmd. 26 of 1966 stand part of the Estimates of Expenditure for 1967," put, and agreed to. Question, "That the sum of $514,547,740 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Estimates of Expenditure for the year 1967 contained in Paper Cmd. 26 of 1966," put, and agreed to. Resolution to be reported. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported --- That the sum of $514,547,740 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Estimates of Expenditure for the year 1967 contained in Paper Cmd. 26 of 1966.”
“Thank you, Sir. I do not think it is necessary to delay this sitting any further.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is not necessary for me to argue further. But the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture seems to be overstepping his bounds by dealing with a matter which concerns the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development. Perhaps he was once an officer in the Planning Section and, therefore, is quite conversant with the work in this division.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not mean to argue with the Parliamentary Secretary on this matter. But it is my duty to bring this situation to the notice of this House so that the Minister will pay attention to what I have mentioned. For instance, take a certain area. Part of it is green belt which is made into a development area, and part of it is not approved as a development area. This is not fair.”
“The Parliamentary Secretary has not given me satisfactory answers to the questions I have asked. I have said just now that certain green belt areas have been changed into housing estates. I have also said that if the officers concerned should go to the sites to make on-the-spot investigations, they will find that many places have been changed into housing estates and not as depicted in the Master Plan. If the Parliamentary Secretary is interested, I will bring him round to see such places and he will know whether what I say is true.”
“If the Member is interested, he should go there to see for himself whether or not there is any yellow culture. 7.30 p.m.”
“But, in actual fact, these lands have already been developed as housing estates and there are also community centres set up in such areas, in spite of the fact that some of the houses are illegal structures, and have been in existence for many years, and they are still depicted as green belt areas in the Master Plan. And when some people apply for permits to develop such lands, they are told by the officers that these areas are green belt areas or barren land and approval cannot be given. Under these circumstances, I hope the Minister will pay more attention to this matter and instruct the officers to go to the spot to investigate if there have been any changes. I would like to advise the officers to go to the East Coast in Kallang Basin just to see what development has already taken place there. Former certain stretches of beaches have now been developed into housing estates, and if the officers do not go to the sites to make an on-the-spot investigation, they will not know the real situation. I feel that the Minister should pay attention to what I have suggested and try to improve the situation, so that applications for development in green belt areas and vacant land can be approved expeditiously.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1112 be reduced by $100.* (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr Tang See Chim and Inche Mahmud Awang.) Sir, the work of this Planning Department, if I am not wrong, is based on the Singapore Master Plan. We know that the Master Plan has to be reviewed every five years in order to incorporate certain changes and adjustments which are made to keep up with the changing conditions. I feel that it is only right and proper to do so. But I also know that such adjustments or reviews are mainly concerned with the major aspects of the- plan. For instance, sometime this year - I cannot remember which month it was - the Master Plan after a review was made public for the people to inspect. But this review was not publicised as widely as possible so that the rural folks could also come to inspect it. For instance, about a few years ago certain marshy lands were not suitable for use in the Master Plan, and they were marked out as marshy lands. But after ten years such a situation no longer holds true, because after the land owners and developers had developed the land, it became housing estates. But this improvement was not noted in the plan. The land between the 13th and 15th mile of my constituency is a good example of this improvement. The urban land between these two milestones has already been developed, and yet it is still depicted as marshy land in the Master Plan. This is ridiculous. And there are other places, similarly improved, which are depicted in the Master Plan as green belt areas, which means that the land cannot be used for development purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I should say that the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary is only 60 per cent satisfactory, and the remaining part is inconsistent and contradictory in nature. About the arrogant attitude of the building inspectors, he has admitted that the complaints have been quite general.”
“These building inspectors sometimes purposely try to embarrass the people. Could this be because they want to obtain extra benefit from their work? Now that is a very bad sign and I hope the Minister will take the proper steps to remedy the situation. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.15 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1111 be reduced by $100. Sir, I have received several complaints about the work carried out by the Building Survey Division, and I would like to bring them to the notice of the Minister. For instance, the approval of building plans is delayed for a long time. A Malay in my constituency applied in March or April last year for a permit to build a house at the place he was staying. He has not received any reply for over a year now, and the Building Survey Division has not even sent anybody to inspect the site or take any steps to deal with the application. I came to know of this when I toured my constituency in April this year. I was surprised to hear this from this particular Malay who complained to me. It is rather surprising and unexpected to know that the approval of building plans can be delayed for more than one year by the Building Survey Division, which is under the control and management of an efficient Government! On hearing this complaint, I immediately contacted the head of the Division and found that it was true. He told me that he would take immediate steps to send some people over to investigate. Two or three weeks later, the application of this particular Malay was approved. Sir, the example given by me is only one of many similar cases that happen. We know that many villagers are ignorant of the procedures with regard to applications for building permits. They do not know these procedures unless they are advised by those who are in the know. So I hope the Minister will pay attention to this matter and take appropriate steps to remedy the situation. Sir, there have been complaints by certain people about the arrogant and superior attitude adopted by building inspectors towards them.”
“Sir, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his detailed answer. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $9,742,240 for Head 1109 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1111 -”
“I think the Parliamentary Secretary did not understand my complaint. I said that work on certain projects had already started and that they were stopped half-way. That is quite different from work on certain projects which was not started until one year after approval.”
“Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary did not give a reply to my third complaint regarding the projects that were started only one year after they had been approved. So I ask him whether he can take steps to remedy the situation.”
“So I hope that the Minister will instruct the department concerned to investigate the reasons for this delay and take immediate steps to remedy the situation in order that the department can keep up its good work.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1109 be reduced by $100.* (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr S. V. Lingam and Inche Mahmud Awang.) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department has carried out satisfactory work in the building of roads, bridges and sewerage projects in various parts of Singapore. But some defects have appeared and I do not know whether it is the fault of the Department. Let me give some examples. Certain projects have, all of a sudden, been stopped. Work on Ulu Sembawang Road began in September and when I passed by that place one day - and it was not on a Sunday - I saw heaps of rubbish piled up and no workers in sight. This is a very unsatisfactory situation because it will obstruct the flow of traffic. I have also found that some parts of Sun Loong Road in Sembawang, which was completed in October, are now - a period of a little over one month - in a bad state. I have already written to the Chairman of the Urban and Rural Services Committee requesting him to investigate the matter. I would like to ask the Minister why so many holes have appeared in the road and why certain parts have collapsed after only a period of one month since the road was completed. Is this due to malpractices on the part of the contractors? The next point is that certain projects have been delayed for some time. For instance, in some areas, including Sembawang, the construction of certain roads was approved but these projects were started only one year after approval. From the point of view of our efficient Government, the rate of progress is not very quick.”
“There is a Law Division under the Ministry of Law and National Development, and it ought to be under this Ministry. That is why I raised the question, if the Legal Aid Bureau is not under the present Ministry, then I will not touch further on it.”
“According to what is shown in the Estimates, it is under the Ministry of Law and National Development. Can you please turn to page 367? The subtitle is Law Division. It is under the Ministry of Law and National Development. 6.00 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1101 be reduced by $l00.* (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr Chow Chiok Hock, Mr Tang See Chim, Inche Mahmud Awang and Madam Chan Choy Siong.) Mr Speaker, Sir, we have a Legal Aid Bureau which is meant to give assistance to workers and people who are in need of such aid. Before the establishment of this Bureau, such people if they wanted to seek aid from lawyers in legal matters, had to spend at least several hundred dollars. At present, they need only pay $1 to get legal advice from the Legal Aid Bureau. This is one example of the Government's achievements in helping our people. The achievements of the Legal Aid Bureau have aroused great interest among the people in South-East Asia. Certain legal officers from Hong Kong came to Singapore recently to study the achievements and administration of the Legal Aid Bureau in order to learn from us. But I have received some complaints from people who seek legal aid. They complain that sometimes the Legal Aid Bureau does not do their work fast enough. Sometimes people have to wait for more than eight months before their complaints or cases can be dealt with. So I would like to ask the Minister whether he is aware of this situation and why this is so. Is it because the Bureau is short-staffed? How many lawyers are serving on this Bureau?”
“I thank the Minister for his explanation. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $14,012,190 for Head 1003 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 5.45 p.m. Head 1004 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $100.* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Tang See Chim.) Sir, I have two questions to raise under this head. The first question is in connection with those who are getting public assistance. Once they have odd jobs or temporary jobs, at a piece rate or an hourly rate, will their public assistance allowance be reduced? The second question is, what is the total amount allocated for public assistance, and how much is derived from public donations?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to clarify one point. The Member for Delta said that I spoke without guts. I cannot remember when I spoke like that. I would like to say that I have been quite fair in my remarks. If the Ministry of Culture has done excellent work in the promotion of healthy culture, and if any organisation has done anything worthy in the cultural field, of course, I will praise them. I would like the Member to clarify her statement that I spoke without guts. I would also like the Minister to reply to the ten suggestions made by me on 5th December.”
“How can we then build up our country with the contribution and dedication of youths who have swallowed the poison from filthy publications'? How can we expect them to fulfil their role in nation-building? Today we are short of spiritual food and it is the sacred task of the Ministry of Culture to cater for the spiritual needs of the people and to promote healthy cultural activities, such as the establishment of a Cultural Advisory Council, as suggested by the Member for Sembawang, to enable representatives of various sections of the people to contribute their ideas for the promotion of healthy culture, so that our youths will have cleaner and healthier minds.”
“Everywhere in the State we can find yellow culture in the form of books, magazines, mosquito newspapers, advertisements, etc., which are rampant. 4.30 p.m. There are also a great number of pornographic publications. The Ministry has also taken action against such publications, but is this tanta-mount to the complete eradication of yellow and filthy cultural activities? The answer is `No'. The sex and yellow culture mongers are capable of infiltrating into every nook and corner of our society. In the past, our anti-yellow culture campaign was carried out vigorously. But due to subsequent relaxation, the yellow culture mongers have again raised their heads. If we look at certain advertisements in the newspapers or the walls of lavatories, we will see vulgar and filthy pictures and drawings which are the work of corrupted minds. We all know that half of our present population consist of youths. The type of education that they receive at their formative age is very important. At such an age, they are susceptible and easily influenced, and if they are subject to the evil influence of yellow culture, what will be their future and what will become of our country? Members of Parliament have stressed the seriousness of this problem and have put forward suggestions to the Minister. But what do we get in return? The Minister turns a deaf ear to our suggestions which have been made in all earnestness. What do we see when we look at advertisements in the newspapers? They try to induce people to go for abortion and encourage them to go and see filthy pictures. Such advertisements and publications will cause our youths to deteriorate in their moral standards.”
“Sir, I would like the Member for Delta to give some specific examples to substantiate her criticism. Where did I lack the guts when I spoke? Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): He spoke without guts. For instance, he kicked somebody and then he said sorry to that person. That shows he is gutless. Sir, today we are talking about culture. Everybody knows that culture and art are part and parcel of the spiritual life of the people, especially when Singapore is now a newly-independent country with full sovereignty, and when the thinking and the sense of patriotism of the people need to be fostered in addition to being achieved through education. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.26 p.m. These objectives are to be achieved both through education and cultural activities. At the present stage of our independence, if we do not have good cultural programmes which can lead the people to march forward in the right direction, but allow them to have filthy ideas and thoughts emanating from evil and yellow culture, then it would be detrimental to their well-being and they would not be encouraged to seek advancement and progress. Without healthy cultural programmes, the people will not be able to march forward to progress. On the other hand, they will be indulging themselves in filthy, yellow and cheap entertainment. Therefore, we feel that at this juncture it is necessary for us to educate the people and also carry out cultural activities to guide them towards nation-building, and in this respect the Ministry of Culture has a great role to play. We have to unite the various races together into one community and the cultures of the various races into one national culture. But when we look around we find that filthy cultures and activities outnumber healthy cultural activities.”