Tony Tan Keng Yam
Singapore
“One of the problems which they have in Britain is that, up to recently, they have no means to stop people coming into Britain and preaching in their mosques messages of hate, jihad and violence. Here, MUIS monitors our mosques very carefully, what is being preached at Friday prayers.”
“Sir, I am not going to enter into a debate about whether the war in Iraq is justified or not. That is another issue. But I would say, Sir, that with all the measures which have been taken over the last three years since 9/11, including the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the arrest of the Al Qaeda leaders, the detention of the JI lea…”
“Sir, we are extending the CCTV coverage in our bus stations, MRT stations and other places in Singapore where people congregate. It is a part of life now. For example, at our MRT stations, all our CCTV cameras are those where the films are recorded and we can analyse them. Surveillance is one of the effective ways of deterring terrorism.”
“The Muslim community in the UK has contributed to the healing process and has worked hard with the other communities to strengthen the moderate voice of Islam.”
“I would say again, Sir, that what we should do is when you see something which is suspicious, if you see a bag which is left unattended, report to some authority. We will look into it. We have to. And I am glad that we are getting more reports today, be vigilant.”
“It could reach here. We have to live with it. We support the war in Iraq. We believe that it is good for us to join the coalition led by the US against terror. The fight against terror is worldwide. We cannot opt out by not taking part. We are in it. We must continue whatever the difficulties.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,158 lines we hold for Tony Tan Keng Yam, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 13 of 24.
“We could start with a low figure, say, fees of 10-15% of the average recurrent cost per student for the various courses and disciplines at the Polytechnics and at the University level. Of course, Sir, we have to make sure that students who do not have the necessary means or who come from poor families are not penalized. This can be done by liberally granting loans to students to enable them to pay their fees. The students can repay these loans from their earnings after they have graduated and started working. And for a start, Sir, we can be generous and waive the interest. Sir, I see two advantages in such a scheme. First, it will make students at our tertiary institutions more conscious of the highly privileged position they are in, and how much they are being subsidized at the expense of other taxpayers. Second, Sir, it will lighten to a limited extent the burden of financing these institutions, thereby making it more feasible to expand the institutions or to establish new tertiary institutions so that more students in Singapore can be given the benefit of a Polytechnic or a University education. Indeed, Sir, I had half a mind to introduce such a scheme in this year's Budget. Unfortunately, Sir, I was not able to get the necessary information and work out the details in time. Never mind. I will leave this interesting project for the next Finance Minister to work on. Much obliged, Sir.”
“In other words, Sir, the Government was subsidizing over 90% of the average recurrent cost per student at the Singapore Polytechnic and at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic. What each student pays is less than 10% of the average recurrent cost. Sir, Annex III gives the figures for the National University of Singapore. Here, the fees paid by students as a percentage of the average recurrent cost per student varied from 11.2% for those studying Accountancy and Business Administration to only 2.5% for those studying Medicine. Sir, I do not want to belabour this point, Students at our tertiary institutions are extremely highly subsidized by the bulk of our taxpayers. Instead of griping over a $100 increase in their fees, it would seem to me that the members of the Singapore Polytechnic Students' Union should really get down on their knees and be grateful for the opportunities which have been given to this small group, opportunities which, Sir, so many other students in Singapore would like to have. Sir, on a wider note. I wonder whether it is possible for the taxpayers to continue subsidizing tertiary education at this rate. Recurrent costs will continue to rise, probably much faster than we can increase student fees. The amount of subsidy that has to be borne by the general body of taxpayers must increase year by year. Perhaps, Sir, we should move to the American system whereby the fees paid by students at tertiary institutions are a certain percentage of the recurrent cost per student. This, in my view, will be fairer in many ways. For example, it does not make sense to me why students studying Medicine at the NUS should be subsidized at more than five times the rate as for students studying Accountancy and Business Administration.”
“Do they assume that, by some divine order, they have a right to a tertiary education? 4.15 pm Sir, I asked the Singapore Polytechnic to let me have information on student fees and recurrent cost per student for 1984-85, the latest year for which they have accurate statistics. This information, Sir, is given in an Annex (Cols. 1427 - 1432) which, with your permission, I will ask the Clerk of Parliament to distribute. [Copies of document distributed to Members.] Annex - SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC, NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (Cols. 1427 - 1432) Sir, Members will note that the Annex also contains similar information for Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore. I asked for the information from these institutions in order to make a comparison. Sir, may I ask Members to look at Annex I. In 1984-85, students at the Singapore Polytechnic paid fees of $500. The average recurrent cost per student varied from $5,136 for those taking Civil Engineering and Building to $6,929 for those taking the course in Chemical Process Technology. Fees paid by the students as a percentage of average recurrent cost per student varied from 7.2% to 9.7%. Sir, I have only included in this Table the recurrent cost of the institution. I have not taken into account the capital cost. If I were to add the annual depreciation on plant and equipment, the average cost per student would be enormous, probably double. Sir, Annex II gives similar information for the Ngee Ann Polytechnic. For this institution, the fees paid by students as a percentage of average recurrent cost per student varied from 6.9% to 9.7%.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am indeed indebted to the Member for Ayer Rajah for raising this matter of the reaction of the Singapore Polytechnic Students' Union to the increase of $100 (from $500 to $600) payable by full-time students at the Polytechnic this year. I must admit, Sir, that I was rather taken aback by the letter from the Polytechnic Students' Union. In the letter they asked the relevant authorities to give a reply to three questions and I quote from their letter: '(1) What is the total amount including the Government's subsidy being spent to train a Polytechnic student? What are the reasons for the increase to this total amount? How is this amount being arrived at? (Please give its breakdown.) (2) As mentioned in the press statement that the reasons for the increase is due to higher training cost, please elaborate? Does it mean providing better lecturers and facilities and giving more syllabus to students, etc.? (3) Is it true that the Singapore Polytechnic is providing higher training to students every year and as such the need to increase the fees annually? Does it also mean that such higher training would result in better recognized diploma, one which is close with that of a university degree? As students being fully aware that we are the ones bearing the consequences of this course, we should have the right to know the answers to the above questions. We would therefore be very glad if the relevant authorities could give us a satisfactory reply as soon as possible in view of the coming sessional examinations.' Sir, these students amaze me. Are they not aware of the highly privileged position they are in? Do they not know that their studies are being heavily subsidized by the rest of Singapore?”
“When the four problems which I have identified have been resolved, I would hope, Sir, that in the next Budget debate in 1986 when the estimates of the Ministry of Education are debated, the issues will then be more professional and less emotional. Much obliged, Sir. [Applause]”
“Besides preparing these students who are capable of taking 'O' level examinations, the GCE 'N' level was also meant to provide students who could not succeed at the GCE 'O' level with a qualification which will help them continue at VITB or at other technical courses. The Ministry of Education, therefore, worked out the criteria for promotion to Secondary 5N on the basis that only those students who have a good chance of doing well in the 'O' level examinations should be promoted to Secondary 5N. The Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate had advised the Ministry that an 'N' level candidate obtaining Grade 3 in a subject at the Secondary 4N examination will have a better than even chance of passing that subject at GCE 'O' level after an additional year of study. Sir, I am of the view that the present criteria for promotion to Secondary 5N for the Normal course pupils in the secondary school are too strict. The Ministry of Education is carefully monitoring the performance of the first batch of Normal course pupils who are now in Secondary 5N. Taking into account the constraints of limited availability of classrooms and school teachers, we will review the criteria for promotion to Secondary 5N so that as many Secondary 4N pupils as possible would have an additional year of study to enable them to sit for the GCE 'O' level examination. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear! Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Sir, I thought it best to discuss together the four major problems that faced our education system rather than deal with each problem in isolation, as this would put the problems in the wrong perspective.”
“But we must remember that if children, who are not so bright, are forced to go to the faster stream they will not be able to follow the lessons in class and, eventually, these children will drop out of school with a sense of failure. To parents, Sir, I would pass the following message. It is better that your children learn at their own pace and succeed eventually than that you push them beyond their abilities and they fail. Now, Sir, I come to double weightage for English and Second Language at PSLE. This double weightage for English and Second Language has been a feature of our PSLE system since 1973. Previously, the PSLE was used as a means to identify those who should go on to Secondary 1, and to allocate these Secondary 1 pupils to various schools. With the introduction of streaming in 1980, PSLE is now used to channel pupils to the different courses in secondary schools. The first batch of the Express course pupils who were streamed at the end of 1980 had just completed their 'O' level examinations after four years of secondary school. I think, Sir, that it is timely for the Ministry of Education to make a careful comparison of their performance at 'O' levels with their performance at PSLE. This comparison will enable us to decide whether the double weightage for English and Second Language at PSLE is desirable and should continue. Finally, Sir, promotion criteria for students in the Normal course in secondary schools to proceed to Secondary 5N. The Normal course in the secondary schools, as conceived in the report on the Ministry of Education in 1978, was to assist less able pupils to complete secondary education with a useful qualification.”
“It is an attempt, by no means perfect, but still an attempt to try and help every child to learn at his own pace, to develop at his own ability. And to revert back to our previous rigid education system, whereby all children go through the same stream at the same pace, would be, Sir, as I pointed out, to condemn generations of students to fruitless years at school where they learn nothing. Rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water, I think that it would be a more fruitful exercise, not just to abandon the system, but to see how we can improve it. Sir, I intend to amend the streaming procedures at Primary 3 in order to give parents the final say in the education of their children at that age. This is not because I want to get the Ministry of Education or the Government out of a difficult spot but because I believe, Sir, that at this age it is the parents, not the Government, who must bear the primary responsibility for deciding which educational option they should choose for their children. The Ministry of Education and the schools will do everything they can to advise the parents. But the final choice will be left to them. And, Sir, if the parents make a mistake and the children suffer, they will have to bear the responsibility. Here, Sir, I would like to add a note of caution to parents for the sake of their children. I would urge them, Sir, to exercise this flexibility not in accordance with their own prejudices, or even with their own ambitions, but with the interests of their children foremost in their minds. I understand the natural reluctance of parents to accept the fact that their children may not be as clever as children of their neighbours.”
“I have therefore decided to recommend to Cabinet that the priority scheme for graduate mothers should be abolished and the guidelines for this year's Primary 1 and pre-primary registration exercise, which will be conducted in May, to be modelled along the lines of the 1982 guidelines which are, in my opinion, the fairest and the most satisfactory. Now, Sir, streaming at Primary 3. Before a pupil is streamed to the Monolingual course at Primary 3, he would have to fail his examinations at Primary 2 and Primary 3, as well as the Ministry's Achievement Test. If he passes just one of these examinations, he will not be streamed to the Monolingual course. Even if he is streamed to the Monolingual course, the Ministry of Education gives the parents the choice to put the child, if they so wish, in the Normal course at primary school. Many parents feel that it is too early to stream a child at Primary 3. As I explained at the School's Council Meeting on 2nd February, the real issue is how can we identify the weaker pupils as early as possible so that we can do more to help them. Parents worry that if their children are streamed at Primary 3, this is too early and will penalize the late bloomers. However, if we delay streaming until a later age, this would mean that the slower pupils would have lost several valuable years, and it may not be possible for them at the age of 12 or 13 to catch up. Sir, I cannot see how any Member, no matter how prejudiced, can ignore the basic fact that nature does not endow our children with equal ability. All children can learn; some more, some less, some quicker, some slower. Our present system of education, which incorporates the principle of streaming, attempts to take account of this basic biological fact of nature.”
“In the event, Sir, the scheme resulted in giving priority to 157 students of graduate mothers, and this had negligible effect on the available choice of schools for other parents, In my view, Sir, most of the debate and the criticisms that have been voiced on this policy up to-date have been misplaced. What is the crucial issue in this matter? The crucial issue, Sir, is whether graduate mothers will be induced to have more children simply because this will give them priority in registering their children for Primary 1 or for pre-primary. The response, Sir, from graduate mothers would indicate that this premise is unlikely to be true. In view of the anxiety and the resentment which this scheme has aroused in Singaporeans, both graduate and non-graduate, and as the scheme is not likely, in my view, to produce the desired results, I see no good reason, Sir, for continuing with this scheme. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“Sir, I am glad to inform the House that much progress has been made, and I will be tabling the Ministry's recommendations on these four major problems to Cabinet within the next six months. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I expect, Sir, to be able to resolve the problems by the end of this year. Let me now comment briefly on each of these problems. I start, Sir, with the most contentious one, ie, the priority scheme for graduate mothers for pre-primary and Primary 1 registration. Since the early 1960s, we have been able to assure every child a place in our schools. No child has been denied an education because his parents are unable to pay the fees or because he has not been able to get a place in school. In the context of our society in Singapore which places a premium on material success and getting ahead in life, it is not surprising that parents should want to give their children the best possible start in life. And this means, for many of them, getting the children into schools which would be regarded by their parents as being in some way good or superior. My Minister of State has on a previous occasion, Sir, produced statistics to show hat in actual fact there is little correlation between good PSLE results and any particular category of schools. Nevertheless, parents are not convinced. And when last year, as part of the national effort to correct our lop-sided procreation pattern, the Ministry of Education gave priority to the children of better-educated mothers for pre-primary and Primary 1 registration, here was a public outcry.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I, with your permission, deal today not only with the points that have been raised by Members in today's debate but also with some comments on our educational policy and administration that have been voiced by hon. Members in the debate on the motion to thank the President for his Address earlier this month, Sir, there are four major and immediate problems which confront the Ministry of Education. These are: (i) The priority scheme for graduate mothers in the pre-primary and Primary 1 registration exercise; (ii) The procedure for streaming at Primary 3, particularly with regard to the role to be played by parents at this early stage of a child's education; (iii) Double weightage for English and second language at PSLE; and (iv) The criteria for promotion from Secondary 4 'N' to Secondary 5 'N' for students in the Normal stream at secondary schools. Sir, when I was appointed the Minister for Education on 2nd January this year, I asked the Ministry of Education officials to review these four issues. The guideline which I gave to my officials in reviewing these problems and putting forward their recommendations is a simple one. 2.45 pm First, honour whatever commitments the Government has made. For example, Sir, parents who had themselves sterilized in order to obtain priority for registration of their children at pre-primary or at Primary 1 should not lose their priority. This, Sir, is only fair. You cannot change the rules in mid-stream. But barring this constraint, Sir, I told my officials to formulate their recommendations so that the recommendations would, above all, be in the best interest of the child. Specifically, I told them that they should not allow their judgment to be clouded by political considerations.”
“It might be more useful if the other speakers have their say before I reply.”
“Point of order, Sir. I do not want to interrupt the discussion between the Member for Potong Pasir and the Member for Moulmein. But the Member is not making a point of clarification. He is making a speech. The Chairman: It seems to be so.”
“Sir, yes. TOA PAYOH HOSPITAL/TAN TOCK SENG HOSPITAL (Redevelopment) 5. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Health and Minister for Education, in view of the increasing population in Ang Mo Kio, Yishun and Bishan Housing Estates, whether the Ministry of Health has any plans to redevelop or expand the Toa Payoh and Tan Tock Seng Hospitals to cope with the rising demand for medical care; and, if not, whether the Ministry will consider building a community hospital in each of these housing estates. The Minister of State for Health and Foreign Affairs (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong) (for the Minister for Finance, Minister for Health and Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. The answer is yes. The Ministry plans to redevelop both the Toa Payoh and Tan Tock Seng Hospitals to provide more beds to meet the needs of the increasing population in Ang Mo Kio, Yishun and Bishan New Towns. The Ministry is currently looking into the possibility of establishing community hospitals in some of the major housing estates. Plans for one community hospital to be built as a pilot project are expected to be finalized before the end of this year.”
“Sir, the sufficient evidence is that which is deemed sufficient by the Comptroller of Property Tax.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, property tax is payable at 23% of the annual value. Annual value is the estimated rent at which the property can be let in a year: A property is reassessed when there is sufficient evidence to show that its existing annual value is different from the current fair market value. Because of the large number of private properties, reassessment is carried out in phases, district by district, with priority given to areas which need more immediate attention. Consideration is given to current conditions in the property market. Any property owner who is dissatisfied with the reassessment can protest to the Property Tax Department or lodge an appeal against the reassessment with the Valuation Review Board.”
“Sir, I agree. PROPERTY TAX (Reassessment) 4. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health how often and on what basis the Ministry of Finance re-assesses the annual value of private properties for purposes of property tax; and, in the light of the substantial drop in the value of property and rentals, whether the Ministry intends to review property tax assessments.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 31 st December, 1984, the Skills Development Fund has awarded training grants to 5,086 firms for a proposed training of a total of 213,874 employees. Sir, the other information requested by the Member for Bukit Timah is contained in the schedule (Cols. 1425 - 1426) which has been distributed to Members. schedule - DISTRIBUTION OF TRAINEES APPROVED AND GRANTS COMMITTED -- BY SALARY RANGE (Cols. 1425 - 1426)”
“Sir, all this discussion about law is no doubt extremely fascinating, particularly to lawyers. But, Sir, I do hope that during all this debate, we have not forgotten the plight of pensioners which is where it all started from.”
“Pensions are payable for past services rendered and are based on the length of the service and the salaries earned during such service. Sir, the Minister for Finance, if he is to be a good Minister for Finance, has to suppress his natural kindly instincts and present a stern face to the Cabinet and to Members of this House. But, Sir, now and then I think there is nothing wrong in allowing an occasional chink of generosity to penetrate his armour, and therefore I shall ask my Ministry to review the allowance at the suggestion of the Member for Punggol. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, just as the allegation from the Member for Anson that our tax system is discriminatory is an annual feature of our Budget, the comment from the Member for Punggol regarding our pensioners is also a regular feature, and in my view a very much more deserving feature of our annual Budget debates. Sir, I am aware of the contributions made by pensioners, civil servants who have retired, to our country, and I would like to assure the Members that we have not forgotten them. But, Sir, I would like first to clarify that the Singapore Allowance is payable to pensioners, whether they have retired before or after the consolidation and the general salaries revision. However, the allowance is payable only if the pensioner is residing in Singapore and his gross pension does not exceed $850 per month. Pension in itself, Sir, is not subject to periodic reviews, and I would not agree with the Member for Anson that we should link this to inflation or perhaps to some other index. However, Sir, the Singapore Allowance is reviewed as and when there is an abnormally high rate of inflation. The present quantum of the allowance was fixed in April 1982. Since then the inflation rate has not been significantly high as to warrant a revision of the Singapore Allowance. The hon. Member has suggested that we should take a more kindly attitude towards the quantum of pensions. Sir, I would once again like to state that the pensions payable to pensioners are quite distinct from the salaries which are payable to officers in the service. Salaries of serving officers are determined on the basis of various factors, including the market rate for their jobs. These are quite different from the basis on which pensions are payable.”
“Sir, the Economic Development Board and the National Computer Board work very closely with regard to the promotion of computer investment in Singapore. I believe the Member for Bukit Timah knows that there is a member of the EDB on the board of the NCB and vice-versa. Sir, I have not yet had any requests from the National Computer Board, or any complaint, that they do not have the necessary power of flexibility to attract investments in this field in Singapore. The Economic Development Board has always indicated to the NCB that it is prepared to grant maximum flexibility to facilitate the operations of the National Computer Board. And if there is such a need, then I am sure we will consider it.”
“Sir, the Member for Yio Chu Kang has raised a number of tax points. With regard to the vagueness, I believe he is referring to the taxation treatment for capital gains and dividend income in respect of fund management companies. This has been the subject of lengthy debate between the Comptroller of Income Tax and the various fund management companies. I do not believe Sir, that we will ever be able to have rigid rules which will lay down clearly, once and for all, the divisions between what is a capital gain and what is a recurrent revenue. But the Comptroller of Income Tax has managed to reach agreement with a number of fund management companies as to an acceptable working procedure. And if there are any problems, I would suggest to him that he should advise the particular company concerned to bring up his problems to the Comptroller of Income Tax. Sir, with regard to the last point on the repatriation of profits from abroad, this is a very complicated subject. We have discussed this matter at great length in the Ministry of Finance, not only during the last year but over several years. If we liberalize and make it too easy for foreign source profits to be remitted back into Singapore without suffering Singapore income tax, then we run the risk, Sir, of losing a very large amount of revenue through the implementation of tax avoidance schemes. We have also to take into consideration the numerous tax treaties which Singapore has signed with a number of countries. These tax treaties are extremely beneficial for the economic, business and investment climate in Singapore and I would hesitate very much to take any drastic steps in this direction until we have considered all relevant factors.”
“Sir, I understand the desire of the Member for Whampoa for instant information. We are all geared towards instant food today. I will look through the particular items which are mentioned by the Member for Whampoa, of conferences, seminars and so on. Let me say that these also include other training courses conducted by various Ministries. With regard to how each item is documented in the Budget document, perhaps this is not the right occasion to go through the intricacies of each item in the Budget and how it is reflected in the Budget document. Otherwise, we shall be here until next year.”
“Sir, if the Member for Potong Pasir would like to talk about the priority scheme for graduate mothers, I suggest that he raises this in the debate on the estimates of the Ministry of Education next week. Sir, with regard to the activities of the SDU, I have already mentioned in my reply to the Member for Anson that, thus far, the activities of the SDU have been limited to graduates because that is where the problem is. But later on, if there is a need, then the SDU will extend its ambit to include other categories of personnel, including the non-graduates. Marriage should not be the prerogative of graduates because I think it is not a harmful activity for people of all categories. 12.15 pm”
“Sir, can I just clarify to the Member for Potong Pasir that the amount of $294,000, if the Member for Anson will remember, was an amount that had already been spent rather than an amount that was provided.”
“Sir, the Member for Changkat has raised three points. Regarding the Budget, I suggest that she gets in touch with my Budget officials who will explain the mysteries of the Budget to her. Regarding the cost, Sir, I am well aware of all the costs which are incurred by the SDU and those who take part in the SDU activities. It is not that the Ministry of Finance is trying to under-estimate these costs, but the figure which I have given was the figure that was asked for by the Member for Anson. Finally, Sir, with regard to whether the Ministry of Finance will review the activities of the SDU, I would like to inform the Member for Changkat that the Ministry of Finance constantly reviews all items of expenditure of Government. When we decide that an item is not profitable, then we shall terminate that programme. If we decide that the item has made progress, we shall increase the funds. If we are not sure, we shall maintain the status quo.”
“Sir, my colleague, the Minister for Home Affairs, has informed me that he will be dealing with this subject, and if the Member for Whampoa will raise it under that Head, as it should be, then he will give the right reply.”
“Sir, the Member for Delta has given up, and the Member for Bo Wen will soon give up. Funds for cultural and sporting activities will be provided by the Government through our normal budgetary programmes. I see no need for any special direction to the Ministry of Finance to direct any particular source of revenue towards any particular expenditure item. And there is no use trying to change my mind.”
“The shortfalls in experienced personnel will, to a large extent, be alleviated through the introduction of specialized post-graduate level training programmes, the importation of overseas talent for major computer projects and on-the-job training as suggested by the Member for Clementi. The Member has also touched on the unemployment of new graduates in computer science and related disciplines. Sir, the National Computer Board is closely monitoring the computer manpower situation. There is little evidence at present that there is any serious unemployment problem. The employment prospects of fresh graduates in computer-related subjects would be no different and would, in fact, be better than those in other disciplines. Sir, this is because the training provided in computer study courses is sufficiently broad-based to enable these graduates to take on a variety of administrative and technical jobs and not merely the more traditional systems analyst or computer programmer jobs. Now, Sir, I come to the suggestion from the Member for Bo Wen as to whether there is a possibility of some of the funds derived by the Government from tax on sweepstakes and Toto draws to be channelled for cultural and sporting activities. Sir, this is not a new subject. I have a large file here, and I believe that the Member for Delta has made it a point to raise this at almost every Budget session. Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): I have already given up.”
“Sir, I will deal first with the comments from the Member for Clementi concerning the supply and demand position for computer manpower in Singapore. Sir, in 1980 there were only some 800 computer professionals working in Singapore. Since then, the number has increased five-fold to about 4,000. A recent manpower survey by the National Computer Board indicates that each year, over the next three years, an additional 680 computer programmers, systems analysts, and software engineers will be required. The training institutions, namely, the Japan-Singapore Institute of Software Technology, the Centre for Computer Studies at Ngee Ann, the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science of the NUS, as well as the Institute of Systems Science will, in all, produce about 450 new computer professionals this year. This number will stabilize at 600 as from next year, slightly lower than the projected demand for 680 professionals. Taking into account those returning from overseas universities and training institutes, as well as experienced expatriate professionals brought in by companies, it is likely that the demand and supply for computer manpower will soon be in balance. Sir, it must be admitted that the number of experienced computer professionals is still relatively small. For example, only about 15% or 600 out of the existing pool of 4,000 computer professionals have more than eight years' experience. The situation is, however, improving steadily. More than 60% now have more than three years' working experience. Two years ago, the corresponding proportion was only 50%.”
“Sir, I would like to reply to the comments from the Member for Alexandra and the Member for Geylang Serai now. First, Sir, with regard to the comments from the Member for Alexandra, I would like to tell him that the Ministry of Finance is reviewing this particular section 149. Next, Sir, on the remarks from the Member for Geylang Serai regarding the retirement age, I would like to inform him that officers who joined the service before 1st July 1956 can have their services extended from 55 to 60 years of age. Cases for extension of service are considered on the following basis: (i) the experience and the expertise of the officer; (ii) the staffing position in the Ministry or department and difficulties in the recruitment or retention of officers in their grade of appointment; (iii) the officer's work and conduct; and (iv) the officer's health. Approval is subject to medical fitness. On the question of retirement age for statutory board employees, the Ministry of Finance informed all statutory boards in February 1982 that the compulsory retirement age of their new employees should be raised to 60 years. In the case of serving employees whose retirement age could not be changed under their terms of employment, the Boards should liberally re-employ such officers beyond their current retirement age. Finally, Sir, with regard to transport allowances, these are being reviewed by my Ministry.”
“Sir, I cannot keep on repeating the same answer. I have already answered it twice.”
“Sir, let me take the second point first concerning the cruises. As the Member has said, his query arises from a letter in the Straits Times. The Member should know by now that not everything he reads in the Straits Times should be believed. The SDU will be replying to that letter in due course. With regard to the first question, Sir, the SDU has a serious purpose. Government does not subsidize the enjoyment of any particular category of officers. We have been able to make progress in Singapore because we have not taken a parochial attitude. We welcome talents from all shores, from Sri Lanka, for example. Where they can make a contribution to Singapore we have encouraged them, even if they are not permanent residents or citizens, to come and work in Singapore. If they find our surroundings and environment congenial and they can make a contribution, then I see no reason why they should be excluded from the SDU's activities.”
“Indeed the Member for Whampoa has suggested, if I remember correctly, that we should import single males from abroad in order to provide enough opportunities for our females. I have conveyed this suggestion to the SDU, and I have not yet received an answer. 11.45am The Member for Anson has also asked whether I would give an audited account of the expenses spent by SDU on the participants who go on cruises. Sir, there is no need to give an audited account because the SDU has spent nothing on these cruises. They are all paid for by the participants themselves.”
“The Management Services Department (MSD) of the Ministry of Finance has recently completed a review of all licensing practices and procedures in Government Ministries, departments and statutory boards. Among other things, Sir, they have recommended that a data bank on all Government licences be maintained by the Ministry of Finance (Revenue Division). This data bank will be checked to ensure that there is no duplication, conflict of objectives, etc., before any new licence is supported. They have also recommended the abolition of 44 licences and the extension of the validity period for 137 other licences. Sir, the recommendations on the data bank have been accepted and steps are being taken to implement them. This data bank should be operational by the end of this year. MSD is presently having discussions with the various departments and statutory boards to follow up on their other recommendations. I think I have covered all the points raised by the PAP Backbenchers. I come now to the point raised by the Member for Anson regarding the Social Development Unit and his query as to whether foreign graduates have been invited to take pan in the activities of the SDU. Sir, when you are in love and you want to marry, do you ask for citizenship? The aim of the SDU is to encourage and inform our single, unmarried graduate women that marriage should form part of their lives. I think that here in Singapore we have an excellent system. We welcome people who are talented to come, work and live here, and contribute to the well-being of all Singaporeans through their work. And if through the SDU some of these foreign graduates are attracted to sink more roots in Singapore, through marriage to our local women, then I see no reason why we should discourage this.”
“I can assure him that this is still going on, and it is included in the courses conducted at the Civil Service Institute. I come now to the points raised by the Member for Thomson regarding his suggestion to review the Trustees Act so as to provide some incentive and encouragement to fund management activities in Singapore. This is possible and I will ask the Ministry of Finance (Revenue Division) to do so. The Member has also suggested that greater flexibility be given to the treasurers of the statutory boards in order to diversify their investments. Sir, I do not agree with this suggestion. Statutory boards are set up for specific purposes: for example, the Port of Singapore Authority to manage and develop our ports; the Public Utilities Board to generate electricity, gas, water, our public utilities, and TAS for the provision of telephone, postal and international telex services. These statutory boards should stick to what they were set up for. And if they have been efficient and are able to run a surplus in their accounts, they should re-invest these surpluses in order to improve their operations so as to lower the cost of services to the public. If they are not able to use up all the money which they have created, they can always return this money to the Ministry of Finance and we will find very useful ways to use these funds. Sir, I come now to the remarks of the Member for Chong Boon concerning the licences issued by the Government. Sir, I would like to inform him that Government issues about 6.3 million licences each year comprising 351 different types. Ministries and departments are responsible for 249, or 71%, of the 351 types of licences issued, while the statutory boards account for the other 102 licences, or 29%.”
“Sir, in my Addendum to the President's Address, I have stated that the public sector must be staffed by properly qualified, skilled and motivated men and women to provide the level and the type of service that will be required and expected. Priority will be placed on staff welfare and training in order to enhance morale and productivity. Training programmes will be reviewed so that they are relevant and help officers achieve their full potential. This, Sir, is a statement of the Ministry's intention, and I can assure the Member for Whampoa that we will fulfil this intention. I come next to the point brought up by the Member for Whampoa and also the Member for Alexandra concerning the need for Civil Service staff to be courteous in their dealings with the public. I think this is a commendable trait which should be exercised not only by all civil servants but also by all Singaporeans. I would convey the Members' concern to the Public Service Division and ask them to urge all civil servants to be civil and helpful when they deal with the public. But, Sir, may I also take this opportunity to ask all members of the public to be considerate when they are dealing with civil servants. On many occasions, Sir, it is not the fault of the civil servant that there are occasions for discourteous behaviour or perhaps friction between a member of the public and a civil servant. There must be some give-and-take on both sides. Then we shall all live happily together. The Member for Alexandra has suggested that civil servants should wear name tags to identify themselves. I will convey this suggestion to the PSD and ask them to look into it. The Member for Whampoa has asked whether political education is still being given to civil servants.”
“Most important, Sir, the formation of the Public Service Division allows for a close nexus between those who formulate personnel and training policies and those who have to implement the policies. The fact, Sir, that the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Division is also concurrently the Head of the Civil Service is an indication of the importance which Government places on this critical area. Also, Sir, in 1982, local staff training and development funds were directly allocated to Ministries by the Ministry of Finance. This was done in order to give the Ministries maximum flexibility to respond to their own training needs. And in line with this policy to give Ministries and departments greater autonomy in the training and career development of their staff, common-user grades were converted into Departmental Services with effect from 1st April, 1984. Under this arrangement Ministries were more willing to train their staff because they then need not run the risk of losing them to other Ministries in regular mass staff posting exercises. Prior to 1982, Divisions I and 11 officers accounted for the bulk of training in the Civil Service, Divisions Ill and IV officers accounted for less than 10% of training. I am glad to inform the House that this has now been changed. In the period 1982 to 1984, a total of 9,013 officers have been trained at the Civil Service Institute in various courses. The breakdown of training by divisional status is as follows: Division I - 42% Division II - 27% Divisions III and IV - 31% Also, over the same period, 1,579 officers at all levels have undergone Work Improvement Teams training as part of the National Productivity Campaign.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let me first say that I agree fully with the Member for Whampoa concerning the need for proper training and career development in our Civil Service, not only for the senior officers but also for the staff at all levels. Members may recall that in a Statement which I made to 'Parliament on the 3rd March, 1982, concerning the Revision of Salaries in the Civil Service, I made the following remarks: 'The Administrative and Professional services constitute, in a way, the brain of the Civil Service. However, no matter how brilliant the brain, no organization, least of all the Civil Service, can hope to function effectively unless it has a healthy heart and strong arms and legs. The heart of the Civil Service is team work, not only team work between officers in the Administrative and Professional services, whether they are scholars or non-scholars, but also team work between the officers in the senior echelons and the support staff in the Executive service, the Clerical service, Nursing service, etc, who collectively make up the arms and legs of the Civil Service.' Sir, nothing has changed or happened in the last three years to give me any reason to change the Statement. I would like to inform the House now what steps have been taken by the Government in order to increase training and manpower development so as to improve the competence and the efficiency of staff in the Civil Service. First, the creation of the Public Service Division on 1st January, 1983. This created a central focal point for the formulation of personnel development and management policies. Functions and responsibilities which were formerly distributed over a number of Government departments were brought together in order to ensure better coordination and direction.”
“Sir, I do not think there is much point in continuing this debate. We have finished the Budget debate now. All I would say, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is that I believe that rather than increase personal reliefs, we should reduce our tax rates. That is better. Mr Jeyaretnam: It is a mockery. Question put, "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1985 to 31st March, 1986."”
“If we work with and not against each other, if we are bold and not timid, if we do not shirk the hard decisions and go for the soft options, then whatever be the achievements we have made in the last 25 years, we have every reason to be optimistic that, as the motto of one of our schools says, "The best is yet to be." Much obliged, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. [Applause]”
“The Acting Minister for Labour and the Member for Whampoa have already spoken on this and I do not want to repeat the same arguments. I would just like to assure the Member for Potong Pasir that we live within our means. And that Government revenue is more than sufficient to meet estimated Government expenditure with a healthy balance left over to help finance our development expenditure. Sir, the funds of the CPF members are safe and no member needs to worry that he will be deprived of his CPF funds because the Government has been profligate. Finally, Sir, may I, in conclusion, take this opportunity to thank you personally and all the other Members of this House for the assistance and cooperation which they have given to me during the last four years when I had the privilege of presenting the Budget on behalf of the Government. It has been for me, Sir, personally, a gratifying experience and a source of much satisfaction that, despite the economic troubles which have plagued the world in the last four years, Singapore has continued to enjoy full employment and the economic well-being of Singaporeans has improved significantly. In the coming months, Sir, the management of the economy will be largely in the capable hands of my colleagues, the Minister for Trade and Industry and the Minister of State for Trade and Industry. Under their careful direction, I am sure that Singaporeans will continue to have the vigorous, imaginative leadership which has stood us in good stead all these years. Sir, provided that we have a pragmatic, honest Government and a sensible population, we should not be apprehensive about the future. Indeed, my view of the prospects that face Singapore can be simply stated.”
“6 billion for 1985, about the same level as 1984, he says that Government is forced to resort to tax increases in order to meet the loss in revenue which arises from the tax concessions which I have just announced. Sir, the Member does not read his Budget Statement carefully. If he does, then he will note that the very first line of Section III of my Budget Statement states, and I quote: 'Consolidated Fund receipts on existing tax rates are expected to amount to $10.62 billion for the Financial Year 1st April 1985 to 31st March 1986.' The operative words are "on existing tax rates". In other words, Sir, the estimate of $10.62 billion for fiscal year 1985 revenue was worked out on the existing tax structure and, in accordance with standard practice, losses in revenue due to the tax concessions announced or gains due to the tax increases have yet to be factored into the calculations. The reason for this is a straightforward one. It is not possible to estimate accurately, for example, the revenue loss which can result from certain tax concessions, one of them being the tax deductibility of certain educational expenses for individuals. This will depend on how many individuals take advantage of this concession and the amount which they claim. All I can say at the present time is that I do not expect the revenue loss from this concession to bankrupt the Treasury. Therefore, I would advise the Member for Potong Pasir that the Budget Statement should be read very carefully. A word here and there can mean a difference of several million dollars. On a more serious note, Sir, the Member has brought out the issue of the Central Provident Fund and whether Government has the necessary revenue to pay to members when they go to withdraw their money.”
“] Sir, you can see from the schedule that in the lowest chargeable income group, ie, from $1,000 to $5,000, there are altogether 376,601 taxpayers. They comprise 53% of the total number of taxpayers. The tax they paid amounted to $38 million, less than 4% of the total tax collected in that year. The average tax assessed was $101. At the other extreme, our biggest taxpayers, those with chargeable incomes above $100,000, there were only just over 7,000 such taxpayers in 1983. They constitute only 1% of the total number of taxpayers in that year. Each of these taxpayers paid an average amount of $58,053 which, taken together, total $411 million, or over 38% of the tax collected in 1983. Sir, if our tax system is discriminatory, it is discriminatory against the rich by making them bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden. Sir, if what I have just said sounds familiar to Members' ears, I must confess that this is not by accident. If Members will consult their Hansard, they will find that I have merely repeated word for word what I have said last year, but with updated figures. We are all getting old, Sir, and there is no use exercising more brain cells to think up new answers to meet a familiar situation. Now, Sir, to a few points raised by the Member for Potong Pasir. Most of the points which he has raised have already been touched on, and I do not think that there is need for me to spend much time on his speech. I will just mention one or two points. The Member for Potong Pasir mentions, quite correctly, that income tax collections for fiscal year 1985 are likely to be higher this year than in fiscal year 1984 because of poorer business conditions. That in order to maintain Government revenue of $10.”
“Yes, of course. Sir, the Member is also worried about the state of our tourist industry. He says it is time for us to sit down and think, to consider what will bring tourists to Singapore. But I think, Sir, the Tourism Task Force has just done that and has produced a series of recommendations which have been endorsed by the Government. For example, the reduction in entertainment duty. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board has been given a fresh burst of energy and new ideas, and vigorous action is being taken to publicize Singapore as a tourist attraction and to enhance and develop new tourist attractions in Singapore. The Member feels that one of the reasons why tourists do not come to Singapore is because we have, as he calls it, a sanitized culture; that we have driven life out of the streets of Singapore. I am not quite sure, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as to what he really intends. There are certain categories of people on the streets which I think all of us would prefer not to see. Sir, we are not in such desperate straits that we have to resort to such measures. Finally, Sir, the Member has again repeated the allegation that our tax structure is discriminatory, that our tax system favours the rich. As I was listening to him, I became rather alarmed because for a moment I thought that he had forgotten to make this allegation, which is a standard part of his budget speech. I would then be deprived of the opportunity to table my yearly schedule (Cols. 981 - 982), Sir, which shows the distribution of taxpayers in Singapore. Sir, I am glad that Members will not be denied this annual dose of useful information. schedule - STATISTICS OF PERSONAL INCOME TAX ASSESSED FOR YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1983 (Cols. 981 - 982) [Copies of schedule distributed to Members.”
“The Ministry of Finance would have preferred to levy this tax on taxis with effect from the beginning of our fiscal year, that is 1st April, 1985, but the Ministry deferred to a request from the Ministry of Communications and Information to delay the imposition of the tax for six months to enable taxi drivers to earn enough to pay the tax. Sir, instead of vilifying the forebears of the Minister for Communications and Information, as the Member for Leng Kee delicately put it, the various taxi drivers' Associations should, I think, hold a dinner to thank the Minister for so assiduously looking after their interest. Sir, I can assure hon. Members that the Minister for Communications has a much kinder heart than the Minister for Finance. I come now to the comments from the Opposition Members. The Member for Anson asked why the Government is so stingy. He says that even when we give a concession, we only give it half-way. On the suspension of the tax on telephone services and on trunk call charges to West Malaysia, he asked why this concession could not be extended to charges on trunk calls to other countries. Sir, the answer is really very, very simple. I cannot suspend the tax on trunk call charges to other countries other than West Malaysia because there is no such tax! Regarding payroll tax, his view is that it is not possible to suspend payroll tax; we either have to keep it or we should abolish it. I ask him to be patient, Sir. In a few months' time the mystery will be revealed.”
“I think that a better solution would be for the SDF to devise schemes which are specially tailored to meet the circumstances of small companies. And this is what the SDF secretariat is doing at the present time. Now, Sir, I would like to touch briefly on the increase in the duty on petrol and the imposition of diesel tax on taxis. As I mentioned in my speech, the increase in petrol duty is, in my view, one of the most equitable ways of discouraging the excessive use of motor cars. Those who own cars but to drive only at weekends or at night are not unduly penalized. Those who drive excessively and therefore contribute to the congestion on our roads must be prepared to pay the price. The move to increase the duty of petrol is also in line with the Government's energy conservation policy. Members may point to the falling price of oil in the international markets. However, we must remember that one of the causes for the recent oil glut has been the sluggish state of the economies in the Western industrialized countries. Once their economies pick up and go on the upswing, oil prices will invariably increase. If we do not make a conscious effort now to stem the increase in our energy requirements, future oil price increases will place a heavy strain on our economy. As for the diesel tax increase, the past practice has resulted in a wide disparity in fuel cost between petrol and diesel-operated vehicles. This has resulted in making the fuel cost of diesel-powered taxis unrealistically low as compared to that of petrol-powered private motor cars. The diesel tax on taxis is aimed at removing this discrepancy. Sir, in my view the imposition of diesel tax on taxis is not only equitable but, in fact, overdue.”
“To maintain economic growth, our economy must switch to higher skill, capital-intensive and brain-intensive activities. Our workforce, including our management, must acquire new knowledge, higher skills, the latest expertise. We must be able to use advanced machinery and equipment. We must keep abreast of the latest technologies. With our tight labour situation and a highly competitive international market, we have to accelerate our economic restructuring process and move as fast as our competitors. We cannot wait for workers to develop these skills through lengthy on-the-job training programmes. We have to foster an intensive skills development programme now. Sir, the Member for Pasir Panjang has suggested that, in order to assist small companies during these difficult times, they should be exempted from paying the SDF levy and presumably not participate in the various SDF schemes. Sir, this would be a retrograde step. If anything, small companies, more than large companies, need to be spurred to ensure that they give proper training to their workers. Most of the larger companies, for their own benefit, would have implemented a fair amount of training, irrespective of whether the SDF was established or not. Training and manpower development are unfortunately not activities which are highly visible in small companies. Sir, indeed I sometimes suspect that small companies meet their needs for experienced personnel by poaching from the bigger companies. If we were to confine the SDF levy to the large companies and exempt the small companies from paying this levy, then this would be tantamount to penalizing those who train and rewarding those who do not train.”