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.”
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“Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 52), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be varied by deleting the figures "$385,000", "$15,000", "$1,495,500", "$346,600" and "$87,900" in the second column and substituting the figures "$409,000", "$16,000", "$1,960,700", "$380,900" and "$40,000" respectively. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT 4.59 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* standing in my name under item No. 9 in the Order Paper. *The Motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 52), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be varied by deleting the figures "$385,000", "$15,000", "$1,495,500", "$346,600" and "$87,900" in the second column and substituting the figures "$409,000", "$16,000", "$1,960,700", "$380,900" and "$40,000" respepctively. Sir, it is proposed to increase the provisions for the Privy Purse and Salaries of personal staff by $24,000 and $465,200 respectively, because of the recent salary revision, annual increments, the 1983 NWC wage supplement as well as higher contributions to the Central Provident Fund and Skills Development Fund. An increase of $34,300 for Expenses of the Istana household is required mainly to meet rising costs of stores and maintenance. Higher costs also make it necessary to increase the entertainment vote by $1,000. A sum of $40,000 has been provided under Special Services mainly for the replacement of three refrigerators, three lawn mowers, a knapsack grass cutter and a power sprayer. It is, therefore, necessary to vary the provisions in the Schedule to the Civil List as follows:- for "The Privy Purse" from $385,000 to $409,000; for "Entertainment" from $15,000 to $16,000; for "Salaries of personal staff" from $1,495,500 to $1,960,700; for "Expenses of household" from $346,600 to $380,900; and for "Special services" from $87,900 to $40,000. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to.”
“These cover areas where the customer gives permission or is declared a bankrupt or where the information is required for commercial purposes or under the Evidence Act. Two additional exceptions are proposed in the amendment:- (i) In civil cases, where a bank seeks the Court to interplead between conflicting claims, to money in a customer's account; and (ii) In situations under any written law in Singapore where the information is required to be given to a public officer in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence. The laws defined for this purpose are Part IV of the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Internal Security Act, the Income Tax Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Kidnapping Act and the Companies Act. This exception is to allow interests of the State to take precedence over banking secrecy. The amendments to the Act do not prevent the MAS from performing its banking supervision function of inspecting the books of the banks. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read, 3.38 p.m. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The existing Section 42 of the Banking Act deals with banking secrecy in Singapore. The Banking (Amendment) Bill, now before hon. Members, seeks to amend this section to improve the standard of banking secrecy in Singapore. The proposed amendment would also minimize the publicity that could arise when a bank seeks a court decision when there are conflicting claims to deposits with a bank. The existing Section 42 of the Banking Act prohibits the divulgence of information on customers' accounts to non-residents. It is silent with respect to residents. The proposed amendment will extend the coverage to all persons. In the proposed amendments, two other concepts are also introduced. The first is the requirement of a bank officer or a person, who has access to the records of accounts of bank's customers, to preserve the secrecy of the information at all times, i.e. even after a person ceases to be associated with the bank. The second is the provision for civil court proceedings to be held in camera. Information given during such proceedings will be secret between the court and the parties involved. The publication of the identities of parties involved in such court proceedings will also be prohibited. Existing exceptions to the secrecy provision will be incorporated in the proposed amendment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $126,982,200 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983, contained in Paper Cmd 1 of 1983."”
“Part of the Public Utilities Board's development expenditure is financed through loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. These financial institutions require that the Board's accounts be audited by commercial auditors acceptable to them. The Auditor-General has been consulted and has raised no objections to the PUB appointment of its auditors. PUB ELECTRICITY TARIFF SYSTEM (Cols. 79 - 90)”
“23 of 1973)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PARKS AND TREES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Parks and Trees Act, 1975 (No. 14 of 1975)", presented by Mr Teh Cheang Wan; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ECONOMIC EXPANSION INCENTIVES (RELIEF FROM INCOME TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act (Chapter 135 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PECUNIARY INTEREST (Member for Anson) 4.14 p.m.”
“LAND TITLES (STRATA) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Land Titles (Strata) Act (Chapter 277 of the Revised Edition) and to make consequential amendments to the Land Titles Act (Chapter 276 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr E.W. Barker; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. VIGILANTE CORPS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Vigilante Corps Act (Chapter 80 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE BILL "to give effect to the merger of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore established under the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act, 1974 (No. 1 of 1974) and the Postal Services Department established under the Post Office Act (Chapter 84 of the Revised Edition) by the establishment and incorporation of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore and for matters connected therewith", presented by the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. REGULATION OF EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Regulation of Employment Act (Chapter 127 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Ong Teng Cheong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. BUILDINGS AND COMMON PROPERTY (MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Buildings and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Act, 1973 (No.”
“I will refer the Member's suggestion to the PUB for consideration. However, the problem may only be a temporary one. If this experiment in remote telemetering succeeds, then meters will be read automatically every month and there will be no need for either the PUB or the consumers to do any reading. Everything will be taken care of by the computers. BILLS INTRODUCED 4.07 p.m. JUDGES' REMUNERATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Judges' Remuneration Act (Chapter 7 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CHARITIES BILL "to make provision for the registration of charities, the administration of charities and their affairs and for purposes connected therewith", presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Parliamentary Pensions Act, 1978 (No. 24 of 1978)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. TRUSTEES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Trustees Act (Chapter 40 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Law (Mr E.W. Barker); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Residential Property Act, 1976 (No. 18 of 1976)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr E.W. Barker; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the PUB has been studying the feasibility of using coal for the generation of electricity. The use of natural gas is another possibility which is being investigated. In the longer term there is no doubt that we have to diversify to alternative sources of energy to reduce our present total dependence on oil. There are, however, several factors which we would need to consider carefully before committing ourselves to any particular course of action. The impact on our environment and the security of supply are, for example, two very important factors which have to be taken into account. The success of our industrialization programme is due in part to our ability to provide the necessary electrical power at competitive rates, and we need to ensure as far as possible that we maintain an efficient and reliable electricity supply. Oil, despite its uncertainties, has served us well in the past. In formulating our future policy to diversify, we need to be satisfied that we will not be worse off.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Chong Boon has asked how the PUB can help to encourage those consumers who use large amounts of electricity to reduce their usage. There are some 2,900 domestic consumers who use more than 2,000 kWh per month. These 2,900 households who comprise 0.6% of a total of 483,000 domestic consumers use about 10% of total domestic consumption. The objective of introducing the higher basic tariff - actually it is 17.5 cents per kWh for the moment rising to 20 cents per kWh from February 1983 - is to discourage these consumers from using more than 2,000 kWh per month. They have six months to adjust their consumption rates. The PUB will be writing to large domestic consumers to advise them on how they can do an electricity consumption audit in their homes and how they can save energy. The facilities at the Energy Conservation Centre at the PUB building are also available to teach these consumers how to conserve energy usage. Sir, in this day and age, with energy an increasingly scarce and valuable commodity, no domestic consumer should use more than 2,000 kWh of electricity per month to meet domestic needs. I would urge large domestic consumers to reassess their pattern of consumption and bring down their usage to below 2,000 kWh per month. If my verbal exhortations do not succeed, then PUB will have to consider increasing the basic tariff for high consumption even further to persuade the few large electricity consumers to reduce their consumption. I think this will be effective.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as you can see again from Schedule I of Annex 2, the charge for Entertainment Tariff is very much higher than the charge which is levied on domestic households. This is to persuade those enterprises running places of entertainment to conserve energy.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid this is becoming a lesson in electrical engineering. However, the reason why the tariffs are not the same is that the cost to the PUB of supplying electricity is not the same. When we supply high tension electricity, there is a lower loss of electricity as it is transmitted through the distribution system, and when we transmit low tension electricity the loss is higher. Therefore, it costs the PUB very much more to supply low tension electricity to domestic households than to supply high tension electricity to industrial users. I hope this suffices for the moment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I was afraid that somebody might ask that question in Parliament. So he will have to listen to my reply now. The supply of electricity by the PUB is in different forms, depending on whether the electricity is used by a domestic household or by an industry. The tariffs which the Member for Whampoa referred to earlier are the High Tension Industrial Tariffs. When electricity is supplied from the PUB generating plants to the industries, it is supplied on a high tension basis and the industries themselves have to have their own generators by which to convert the high tension electricity into low tension electricity for their own use. The low tension electricity is the electricity which is used in domestic households. Therefore, there is the additional cost to the industries, when they buy electricity from the PUB, of converting it into a form which they can use. Furthermore, the charges which the industries have to pay for the use of the electricity do not comprise only the charges which are listed in Schedule I and Schedule 11. As you can see from the explanatory notes (Annex 2), industries have also to pay what is called the maximum and declared demand charges for high tension electricity, and these will be doubled as part of the restructuring of the high tension tariffs. This affects only the large industrial and commercial users, These are charges for utilization of installed capacity and are meant to ensure that industrial and commercial firms use their electricity supply capacity efficiently. So the electricity which is charged to the domestic consumers, to put it in a nutshell, is not the same type of electricity which is supplied to industries. Is this clear?”
“In this connection, it is pertinent to compare our revised electricity rates with those of Hong Kong and Japan, two countries like ours, which also have to import the major part of their energy requirements for the generation of electricity. As from August, the PUB's electricity rates for domestic use will be 20.61 cents per kWh except for consumption above 2000 kWh per month. In Hong Kong the average domestic rate in 1981 was 22.69 Singapore cents per kWh, or approximately 10% higher than the PUB's new rate. In Tokyo the average domestic rate in 1981 was 28.48 Singapore cents per kWh, or approximately 38% higher than PUB's new rate.”
“The PUB would encourage consumers to read their own meters and would be very happy to make available these instruction booklets and pre-paid post cards to Members of Parliament and consumers who would like to read their own meters. Members may also be interested to know that the PUB is undertaking a feasibility study to see if meters can be read on a remote basis using the telephone lines. A block of about 100 flats in Delta Avenue has been selected for a field trial. The flats will be installed with meters which have been modified to enable the meters to be read remotely from the PUB Headquarters using the telephone lines. The field trial will start next month and will last for one year. When the results of the field trial have been evaluated, we can then consider the use of this remote telemetering system on a wider basis. I shall now go on to the second question. The PUB is very conscious of the plight of the lower income group each time the tariffs are revised to recover the higher fuel oil cost. Adjustment of the fuel adjustment charge is applicable to all units of electricity consumed. However, wherever possible, the PUB has taken steps to mitigate the effects of increases on the lower income group. This is done, Mr Speaker, for example, in the present exercise. The final increase for households is only one-third the increase in the fuel adjustment charge. There is, however, one thing which, I repeat, we must never do, and that is, to subsidize consumption. This will inflate demand. Reduction of basic tariffs to domestic consumers will have to come from savings achieved by the PUB as a result of greater efficiency in its operations and higher productivity.”
“Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir. Sir, may I take advantage of the first question to give a little bit more information on how the new system will work. With the implementation of the revised tariffs on the 1st August 1982, the PUB will, first of all, read all meters in August so that the new rates will be applicable from the dates the meters are read. This is necessary because of the changes in the tariff structures. The system of three-monthly adjustments in the declared fuel oil price affects only the fuel adjustment charge. This charge is applicable to all units consumed, irrespective of consumer categories or levels of consumption. The PUB has looked into the practical aspects of implementing the new system and has decided that there is no immediate need to change the present practice of bi-monthly meter readings. Under the present practice, for the month the meter is not read the consumer's bill will be based on estimated consumption for the month. In estimating the consumption, the average of the consumer's consumption which is computed on his previous actual meter readings is used. Unless there is a sudden change in the consumer's consumption pattern, the estimated consumption should be quite close to his actual consumption. When a consumer's meter is read the next month, the bill will be automatically adjusted to reflect his actual consumption for the two months. Differences, if any, will be small, and on balance will even out for the consumer over a period of time. Consumers who read their own meters and submit their readings to PUB for billing will be charged the actual consumption for the month. PUB, as we all know, has instruction booklets on how to read meters and convenient pre-paid post cards to be used for sending meter readings to the PUB.”
“The measures, which I have announced today, will ease the burden on consumers, particularly domestic consumers and help the PUB to fulfil its mission. Mr Speaker, Sir, this ends my Statement and I shall be happy to answer any questions which Members may have. Much obliged, Mr Speaker.”
“If not for this improvement, PUB would have had to spend an additional $155 million in 1981. In the past five years, the PUB spent $1.2 billion in capital development to expand and improve the electricity system. In the next five years, out of a total development budget of $3.2 billion, the PUB will spend $2.6 billion on electricity projects. Only 37% of PUB's development budget can be funded from internal sources. The other $2 billion or 63% will have to be financed from loans. Total outstanding loans of the PUB at end-1981 amounted to $1.1 billion. In 1981, fuel cost constituted 73% of total cost of electricity generation. Depreciation took up 13% and interest on loans 7%. The remaining 7% was for manpower, maintenance, property tax, and other expenses. The PUB will never have the means to subsidize oil price increases. Indeed the Board will be doing well if it can, through greater efficiency, absorb manpower and other cost increases. To illustrate what PUB has done to minimize the burden of oil price increase to our consumers, we should note that the average electricity price over the past 10 years, from 1972 to 1981, increased by 177%, from 6.38 cents per kWh in 1972 to 17.70 cents in 1981. During the same period, fuel oil price to the PUB increased from $39 to $463 per tonne, an increase of 1087%. Annual manpower cost per employee increased by 174%. Gross fixed assets utilized by the Electricity Department increased from $759 million to $2.5 billion, an increase of 234% which resulted in higher charges for depreciation and interest. I assure Members that the PUB will continue to spare no efforts in its drive for higher efficiency so as to moderate, where possible, the rising cost of supplying electricity.”
“The number of such domestic consumers is small (0.6% of the total). On 1st February 1983 this higher basic tariff will be increased further to 20 cents per kWh for consumption above 2,000 kWh per month. These domestic consumers are therefore given six months to adjust their consumption habits. Financial Implications Finally, I would like to brief the House on how the above revisions will affect PUB's financial position. As at 1st January 1982, the PUB had $42 million in its Fuel Equalization Reserve. If the fuel adjustment charge is not raised, the Reserve would be exhausted by the end of the year and PUB would be faced with a deficit of $45 million for its electricity operations after meeting interest payments and servicing the repayment of its loans. With the raising of the fuel adjustment charge on 1st August, fuel oil cost actually paid after this date will approximate the fuel oil cost charged in the tariff. For the full year, PUB's financial position will be in balance. Any remaining balance in the Fuel Equalization Reserve will be used to defray quarterly imbalances between fuel oil cost recovered and fuel oil cost paid under the new system. The restructuring of the tariff schedule will have minimal effects on PUB's total revenue. In adjusting the schedule, the higher tariff for the larger consumption blocks are balanced by the reduction in tariff for the smaller consumption blocks. Because of rounding off, the restructuring will result in a marginal increase of 0.2% or $2.8 million in revenue in 1982. Concluding Remarks The PUB has taken great pains in the past to ensure that the burden on our consumers due to rising oil prices is eased as much as possible. Part of the increase in oil price is absorbed by improving the efficiency of electricity generation.”
“As with other utilities elsewhere, we should now discontinue this practice. However, we intend to do it very gradually. We have already begun to restructure the tariff schedule in the revisions in 1979 and 1980 when the tariff blocks were reduced in number. PUB intends to further reduce the tariff blocks together with the change in the system of recovering fuel oil costs. It will not be necessary for me to go into the details of how PUB proposes to restructure the tariff in this part of the exercise, which will affect the industrial and other non-domestic users. The details can be found in the Annex 2 (Col. 79 - 90) which I will ask the Clerk of Parliament to distribute to Members. [Copies distributed to hon. Members.] I would, however, like to highlight the following points: Annex 2 - PUB ELECTRICITY TARIFF SYSTEM (Cols. 79 - 90) (a) The revision of the tariff will enable PUB to reduce the basic tariff for low consumption blocks. Small and efficient consumers will benefit. For domestic households, the basic tariff will be lowered from 15.86 cents per kWh to 15 cents, a reduction of 0.86 cents per kWh. This will offset the increase in the fuel adjustment charge so that domestic consumers will have to pay an increase of only 0.46 cents per kWh or 2.3% more. The monthly electricity bill of the average HDB household will be increased by 57 cents, which is less than the price of half a packet of cigarettes or 1� cups of coffee without milk! (b) Domestic consumers who use an exorbitant amount of electricity will not enjoy the full reduction in the basic tariff. Instead, they will be charged a higher basic tariff at the rate of 17.5 cents per kWh for consumption above 2,000 kWh a month. This is to discourage excessive use of electricity particularly for air-conditioning.”
“For over two years consumers have been charged electricity tariff based on outdated fuel costs. The PUB has been able to provide consumers with this benefit because there were sufficient funds in the Fuel Equalization Reserve. This reserve came from: (i) the difference between fuel oil price charged and the fuel oil cost paid in the first few months after the last revision; (ii) better fuel efficiency; and (iii) favourable exchange rate due to appreciation of the Singapore dollar against the US dollar. The higher fuel oil costs over the last 18 months have been paid for through withdrawal from the Fuel Equalization Reserve. Without an increase in the fuel adjustment charge, the reserve will be exhausted by the end of this year. Consumers will therefore have to pay the current fuel oil cost in the electricity tariff. Because of the savings arising from improvement in power generation efficiency, the PUB does not have to charge consumers the full fuel oil price of S$458 per tonne. Instead, the PUB intends to recover a cost of S$430 per tonne. The fuel adjustment charge will be increased from 4.29 cents to 5.61 cents per kWh, an increase of 1.32 cents per unit. For households, the final increase is one-third of this increase in the fuel adjustment charge. I will explain how this will come about. Gradual Removal of Promotional Tariffs One of PUB's policies to encourage efficiency in electricity usage is to gradually phase out the system of promotional block rates under which tariffs decrease with increasing consumption. This system was inherited from the era of cheap oil price, when utilities all over the world gave incentives to big consumers in order to obtain economy of scale and to optimize the usage of installed capacity.”
“Instead of accumulating a number of fuel oil price increases before making a large adjustment of electricity tariff at irregular intervals, fuel oil price increases can be passed on automatically at shorter intervals, i.e. every three months. And if fuel oil prices fall in any three-month period, the benefits can be passed back immediately to the consumers. This system of three-monthly automatic adjustments of tariffs is more equitable as consumers will be charged the prevailing fuel oil price paid by the PUB. Tariff changes will be smaller on each occasion although the cumulative increase will be the same as under the present practice. It will be easier for consumers to adjust their budgets. Moreover, when fuel oil cost declines with market conditions, consumers can enjoy a reduction in electricity tariff. The principle is the same as that followed in the pricing of petrol sold at the pumps. Because oil prices are now more stable, this is an appropriate period to make the change. Consumers will have time to get used to the new system. The PUB will therefore implement this system as from 1st August 1982. The fuel oil price used to compute the fuel adjustment charge for the months of August to October will be based on the prevailing fuel oil price paid by the Board in the months of May to July. The fuel adjustment charge for November to January will be based on the fuel oil price for August to October. And so on. Changes to the Fuel Adjustment Charge I will now explain the effect of the new system on the fuel adjustment charge. The current fuel adjustment charge was fixed in March 1980, corresponding to a fuel oil price of S$390 per tonne or US$27 a barrel. Since then, the actual fuel oil price paid by PUB has risen to S$458 per tonne or US$32 a barrel.”
“Also, we were spared from having to pay the astronomical spot market price at the time, which would have taxed our financial resources. Fuel oil prices under PUB's long-term contracts are varied as and when the posted price of fuel oil is adjusted in accordance with the official price of crude oil as announced by the producer countries. Hence, PUB's fuel oil cost can go up during the term of the contract and PUB has to recover this cost-increase through the fuel adjustment charge which I described earlier. Since 1973, the PUB has recovered the cost of oil price increases on five occasions, in November 1973, January 1974, May 1979, August 1979 and March 1980. Posted prices have actually moved up more than five times since 1973 but PUB has allowed small increases to accumulate before adjusting the tariff. To do this, PUB has a Fuel Equalization Reserve. This is actually a buffer fund. When the fuel adjustment charge is greater than the actual fuel price paid by PUB, the difference is transferred to the reserve. When it is the other way around, the reserve is drawn down until it is exhausted, at which point the fuel adjustment charge has to be raised. Although no one is happy when tariffs are increased, the PUB practice has worked satisfactorily. Consumers have adjusted to the higher price of oil and of electricity. We have become more efficient in our usage of energy. In 1973, every 1% increase in our GDP required 1.6% increase in electricity supply. By 1981, every 1% increase in GDP required only 0.75% increase in electricity supply. New System of Electricity Tariff Although the existing system of passing on fuel oil cost increases has served us well, it can be further improved.”
“79 - 90) At this point, I would like to touch on the two types of prices in the oil market. First, there is the official or posted price, which is declared by the oil companies or producers for the purpose of determining the price charged for oil supplied on a contract basis. Second, there is the spot price, quoted for individual cargoes of oil purchased without any long-term contract. The spot price depends on the immediate supply and demand position and fluctuates widely. At the height of the oil crisis in 1979-80, the price for crude oil in the spot market exceeded US$40 per barrel at one stage while during the recent glut, it fell to as low as US$28 per barrel. In recent weeks the spot price has risen to US$33 per barrel, which is close to the official price of US$34 per barrel. Oil transacted in the spot market forms only a small portion of the total oil traded. PUB purchases its fuel oil from oil companies in Singapore under 5-year contracts with the prices pegged to posted prices and not to the spot market prices. Price of fuel oil to PUB is therefore more stable than would otherwise be the case. Thus, when the spot market for oil went above US$40 per barrel in 1980, PUB was paying the much lower price of US$27 per barrel. Correspondingly, when spot prices fall below the posted prices, PUB has to take delivery of its oil supply at the posted price in accordance with its contract. PUB's long term contracts for fuel oil have served us well. Because PUB's suppliers have an obligation to try their very best to meet our requirements, we avoided disruption to our oil supply during the oil crisis in 1973-74 and 1979-80. Unlike some countries, we did not have to ration the use of electricity.”
“The sound, economically sensible way is to allow oil price increases to be passed on to the consumers as soon as possible. Increase in electricity tariffs will then be more gradual and consumers will be better able to adjust their consumption and their budget. PUB's Present Electricity Tariff System The Public Utilities Board is guided by this sound principle in its electricity tariff policy. I shall now elaborate on how the principle is applied by the PUB. The generation of electricity requires fuel oil, manpower and plant equipment. Manpower costs form a relatively small part of the cost of running this capital-intensive operation. Once the plant and equipment are installed, changes in the cost of electricity generation come primarily through changes in fuel cost. This is reflected in the PUB electricity tariff schedule, which has two parts, the basic tariff and the fuel adjustment charge. Manpower and equipment costs and the basic fuel price are recovered through the basic tariff which is based on a fuel oil price of $260 per tonne, equivalent to US$18 per barrel. The basic tariff is not changed when fuel prices increase. Increases in fuel oil prices are recovered through the fuel adjustment charge. When fuel oil price goes up, the fuel adjustment charge is moved up in accordance with a fixed formula stipulated in the Public Utilities (Tariffs for Electricity) Regulations, 1972, enabling this cost increase to be recovered equitably from all classes of consumers. To assist Members, I have circulated a note (Annex 1) (Cols. 79 - 90) containing some illustrations on how the fuel adjustment charge works. [Copies distributed to Hon. Members] Annex 1 - PUB ELECTRICITY TARIFF SYSTEM (Cols.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am making this Statement to explain to the House why the PUB is revising its system for setting Electricity Tariffs and how the revision will affect consumers, in particular the smaller domestic consumers. Half of the oil which is consumed in Singapore is used to generate electricity. We have no oil wells of our own. We have to import and pay the going market price for every drop of oil that we use. In 1981, the PUB spent $803 million on fuel oil, $206 million or 35% more than in 1980. Unfortunately, oil is a depleting natural resource. Barring periods of temporary glut, as at present, we can expect the price of oil to rise relentlessly. There is no way that we can prevent the rise in oil price and therefore of our electricity tariff. We can, however, contain the effects of rising oil price by adopting correct policies: (a) Becoming more efficient in our generation of electricity and less wasteful in our daily use of electricity in homes, offices and factories; (b) Upgrading our skills so that we can produce better quality and higher-valued exports to pay for higher priced oil and electricity; and (c) In the long term, diversifying to alternative sources of energy, such as coal, for the generation of electricity. One thing we must never do. We must never pretend that we can, by some fiscal or budgetary magic, restrain the increases in the price of oil or electricity by resorting to subsidies. To subsidize consumption is to inflate demand. The subsidies inevitably become an unbearable burden. When the subsidies are removed, as they must be at some stage, there will be a sharp jump in price leading to social and economic disruption. This has happened so often in other countries that I do not need to belabour the point.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to all the questions is yes. PUB ELECTRICITY TARIFF SYSTEM (Statement by the Minister for Trade and Industry) 3.25 p.m.”
“(c) A total of 110 new companies with some dealings in computers have been established over the past two years, Nine are hardware manufacturers, 29 are software houses or service bureaus and 72 are retailers, agents or distributors of computer products. Including these 110, the total number of such companies operating in Singapore today is estimated to be 195.”
“The demand for computer personnel is projected to increase to 5,800 by 1990. A number of training schemes have been worked out to increase the supply of trained computer personnel. The Computer Science Department of the National University of Singapore (NUS) has increased its intake by over 50% since 1980. The Institute of Systems Science (ISS) has been set up at the NUS to train graduates to be systems analysts. The Japan-Singapore Institute of Software Technology (JSIST) and the Centre for Computing Studies (CCS) at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic will increase the supply of programmers/analysts. The National Computer Board has also set up the Systems Education Centre (SEC) as its own training arm. This centre will provide practiceoriented training for working computer professionals. In addition, the NCB has awarded 12 undergraduate and five postgraduate scholarships tenable in reputable universities this year. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would now like to provide the specific answers to the second part of the question. (a) An estimated 1,200 business establishments have installed computer facilities. The computers installed range from small business computers to large mainframe computers. (b) At present, seven Ministries and Departments and 14 Statutory Boards have their own computer facilities. Of these, four organizations have expanded their facilities and six had new computer systems installed during the past ten months. New computer facilities will be installed in three more Ministries and Departments after the three public tenders called by the NCB have been awarded.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Member for Kampong Kembangan for his timely question in the progress of computerization in Singapore. I will first report on the progress of the computerization programme in the Civil Service before proceeding to answer the second part of his question. The Civil Service Computerization Programme was approved by the Government in May 1981. In September 1981, the National Computer Board (NCB) was established to carry out the statutory functions recommended by the Committee on National Computerization. Funds were provided by the Ministry of Finance for the implementation of the Civil Service Computerization Programme in the fiscal year 1982 covering computer projects in the Ministries of Communications, Environment, Finance (that is, the Customs and Excise Department), Health, Home Affairs, National Development, Trade and Industry, Social Affairs and Education. The computerization projects in the various Ministries are progressing satisfactorily. The NCB staff, with the cooperation of the Ministries and the Departments' officers, have studied the operational systems and procedures in the respective Ministries to establish the detailed requirements for computer hardware and software. To date, three public tenders have been called for the supply of computer hardware for the Department of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Meteorological Service Department. The main problem encountered in carrying out the Civil Service Computerization Programme is the acute shortage of senior and experienced computer personnel in Singapore. At present, there are about 1,200 computer professionals in Singapore as compared to an estimated demand of 1,500 to service both the public sector and the private sector.”
“The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 2.55 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, which was enacted in 1972 and came into effect in 1978 governs the liabilities and responsibilities of carriers or shipowners with regard to the cargo onboard their vessels. When loss or damage occurs to the cargo, a carrier's liability is determined by the value as stated in the Bill of Lading. In the event that a shipper does not declare the nature and value of goods shipped in the Bill of Lading, paragraph 5(a) of Article IV and Article IV BIS of the Rules (as set out in the Schedule to the Act) provides for the carrier's limit of liability to be determined as 10,000 gold francs per unit or 30 gold francs per kilo of gross weight of the goods, whichever is higher. A gold franc is equivalent to 65.5 milligrammes of gold of millesimal fineness 900. The limits of liability under paragraph 5(a) of Article IV and Article IV BIS of the Rules are ambiguous because the conversion of gold francs to local currency depends on the market price of gold which fluctuates from day to day. In addition, the Rules do not state whether the effective date of claim is the date of loss or damage, or the date of judgment on the claim. The uncertainty of traders on the limits of liability in the Act as it stands today, is harmful to the development of our overall trade and commerce. The present Bill will resolve this ambiguity by allowing the Minister for Trade and Industry to specify, from time to time, the limits of liability through a standard conversion from gold francs to Singapore dollars. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." - [Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam]. Adjourned accordingly at Two minutes to Eight o'clock p.m.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this Bill is to make provision in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 145 and Clause 2 of Article 147 of the Constitution of Singapore for additional expenditure in excess of the provision authorized by the Supply Act, 1981. The additional sum has been scheduled as a Supplementary Main Estimate which has been considered and approved by the House as Command Paper No. 4 of 1982. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Third Reading”
“Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." In accordance with Article 145 of the Constitution of Singapore, heads of expenditure to be met from the Consolidated Fund other than statutory expenditure have to be included in a Bill to be known as the Supply Bill. The purpose of the Supply Bill before Members is therefore to give legislative approval to the appropriations from the Consolidated Fund to meet expenditure in the financial year, 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983. The heads of expenditure and the sums that may be incurred in respect of each head are shown in the schedule to the Bill. These have been approved by the House in the Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983, and appear on page 19 of Command Paper No. 6 of 1982. The Supply Bill, when approved, will empower me to issue warrants, authorizing expenditure up to the amount of each head as shown in the Bill to be paid out from the Consolidated Fund. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to, Bill accordingly read a Second time. Third Reading”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to certain resolutions. First Resolution reported - "That the sum of $6,184,014,240 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Main Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983, contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1982." Second Resolution reported - "That the sum of $6,849,448,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983, contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1982." Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolutions." Question put, and agreed to. Resolutions accordingly agreed to. SUPPLY BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. 7.55 p.m.”
“Firstly, the bar code system is particularly useful for large countries where domestic manufacturers supply the bulk of consumer market requirements. Therefore, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom have each adopted their own bar code systems. Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted code as yet. Since no single country provides more than 20% of our imports, our supermarket operators may not find the bar code system to be cost-effective if they have to re-label 80% of their shelf products. Secondly, when we refer to the retail trade, we should not think in terms of only the supermarkets and the department stores. Our census figures show that there are about 4,500 establishments in the retail trade. Of these, there are only 81 supermarkets and department stores. In terms of sales volume, their share forms only 16% of the total retail trade in Singapore. I am, of course, not opposed in principle to the use of the bar code system by our local supermarkets and shops, but it is up to them to make their own calculations and to consider the use of this system in relation to the economics of their own operations.”
“We will then retain our competitiveness and Singapore will continue to attract high quality investments with consequent benefits for our workers. If we can improve our productivity as we have done in the last year, then there is no reason why our wage increases should not keep ahead of inflation which fortunately will, I believe, be moderate this year. This will be a considerable achievement when we see how workers in other countries are fighting a losing battle not to improve but merely to maintain their standard of living. 4.30 p.m. The Member has also pointed out the low productivity of the trade sector and suggested that a comprehensive study should be done to find out the causes and to develop new strategies, My Ministry monitors closely the productivity growth of each sector of our economy. Now, one of the main reasons for the poor performance of the trade sector in 1981 was simply the stagnation in world trade. However, as the Member for Kebun Baru has pointed out, one has only to look around our hotels, restaurants and department stores to draw the conclusion that we can do more to improve productivity in the trade and commerce sector. The National Productivity Council has established a Committee to consider ways to improve productivity in this sector. This Committee, which comprises representatives from the relevant Government departments and statutory bodies, unions and the private sector, will initially concentrate on the hotel and the retail sector. The Member has also mentioned the use of the bar code system used in the point of sales system in the United States and some other developed countries. I have two comments on this system.”
“Sir, the Member for Kebun Baru has inquired if I could comment on the factors determining a normal wage increase that workers may expect in 1982. It seems to me to be a rather leading question. I am sure that the Member knows that the guidelines for wage increases are a matter for deliberation by the National Wages Council which has representatives from the Government, unions and employers. The NWC secretariat has started to seek the views of the private sector and the unions for the purpose of helping the NWC establish what guidelines it should recommend to Government on the magnitude of the wage increase for 1982-83. I shall therefore refrain from the temptation to pre-empt its findings here. Nevertheless, I think that it would be in order for me to comment briefly on the factors which, in my view, should influence wage increases this year. I shall speak in general terms and scrupulously avoid making any specific projections which might embarrass the NWC. First of all, we must take into account the wage correction policy carried out over the last three years during which high wage increases of over 20% per annum were deliberately recommended. The purpose of the wage correction policy was to speed up the pace of our economic restructuring and, as we have already announced, 1981 was the last year of the three-year wage correction policy. In future, we must make sure that our wage increases go up in line with growth in productivity, particularly where the increases in productivity are due, not so much to increased capital investment by the employer but more as a result of the application of higher skills and production of better quality work by the worker. In this way, we can make sure that our goods and services will not be priced out of our export markets.”
“Under the guidance of this Committee, the Department of Trade ensures that supplies of essential commodities such as rice, sugar and wheat flour are sufficient and readily available. The Department of Trade also ensures that our traders do not restrict supply so as to artificially push up prices or to profiteer. When world prices decline our traders should also keep in line with the international market. For example, following the decline in international prices of rice and sugar, the Department of Trade has successfully influenced the reduction of local retail prices of these two commodities to the benefit of our consumers. The Government has also actively encouraged the import of foodstuffs from both traditional and non-traditional sources to ensure that there is adequate supply at competitive prices. For example, when there was a shortfall in the supply of pork late last year, imports of pigs from neighbouring countries were allowed. Though pork prices remained high in January as a result of the festive season, I am sure that Members will know that the situation has returned to normal and pork prices have now come down to much fairer levels. I assure the Member that the Department of Trade will continue to seek cheaper sources of supplies in order to ensure that the cost of foodstuffs in Singapore is kept at the lowest possible level.”
“The following are a few examples of some of the larger contributions made by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board: Contribution to the Singapore Zoological Garden $1.4 million Contribution to the Jurong Bird Park $0.5 million Contribution to the Sentosa Development Corporation $2.9 million Furthermore, the STPB has recently decided to set aside for the Sentosa Development Corporation a further sum of $10 million in this financial year to develop Sentosa into a premier recreational resort for Singaporeans and their families. The Member for Chong Boon has also cited the National Museum as one of the local attractions that could be improved for locals and for tourists with perhaps the assistance of STPB. 4.15 p.m. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is, in fact, prepared to provide financial support for the redevelopment of not only the National Museum but also the whole of the Fort Canning Park area. The Tourist Promotion Board has set aside $10 million for this purpose. The Board is at present awaiting the completion of a study by the Museum Development Committee which is drawing up a long term redevelopment plan for the National Museum. The STPB will make a decision on its contribution once the master plan is ready. Finally, the Member for Geylang Serai has asked, in general, what measures have been taken by my Ministry to check the increases in food prices. As I mentioned during the debate on the financial policy of the Government, prices of essential food items are monitored by the Committee on Profiteering and Inflation. This Committee meets regularly to monitor prices and price changes.”
“The Member for Chong Boon has also asked about the criteria whereby certain restaurants and public places are subject to the 3% cess levied by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. He has inquired as to what steps are being taken to invest part of the cess proceeds to cater for the needs of our citizens. Let me first give some background to this matter. The 3% cess is at present levied on two categories of establishment. Firstly, on all gazetted hotels and their food and beverage outlets. Secondly, on all restaurants outside hotels which are holders of a First-class Public House licence. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board is well aware that many Singaporeans patronize restaurants both in and outside hotels and are therefore subject to the 3% cess. STPB has therefore always adopted the principle that any new tourist project should also benefit our local people. Indeed any tourist attraction which does not appeal to our local people is also not likely to succeed. Over the past few years STPB has, for example, spent a substantial amount of its resources to revive traditional festivals. These include the Mooncake festival, the Dragon Boat festival and the Kite-flying festival. More than 40,000 people attended last year's Dragon Boat and Mooncake festivals and 90% of these were Singaporeans. STPB has also made substantial contributions to develop new attractions in Singapore and to upkeep existing attractions. Since 1971 the grants, subsidies and contributions made by STPB totalled $23 million. Although these attractions are sometimes called "tourist attractions" the majority of visitors to these attractions are, in fact, our own people.”
“Sir, the Member for Chong Boon and the Member for Geylang Serai have both raised the question of trade associations and the danger of their degenerating into cartels. Perhaps they may have in mind a number of instances in the past few years when the office-bearers of some trade associations acted in collusion to effect uniform price increases which are then complied with by the members of their respective associations. I share the Members' concern about such practices. Price fixing by associations is unhealthy and will not be condoned. We have a free trade policy in Singapore. By and large this policy has served us well and has benefited the consumer. It will be wrong for us to try and fix the prices of goods. In those countries where the prices of goods are fixed by the bureaucrat rather than by the free market, the inevitable result is an inefficient distribution system and ultimately shortages of foodstuffs and other goods, as has been shown repeatedly in Communist countries which have rigid central planning systems. Where possible, traders, shopkeepers should be permitted free play in fixing their prices. And if costs go up then, of course, prices must go up. However, we should not and we will not tolerate increases which are administered by an association of traders, particularly when such increases are unjustifiably large. Fixing of prices by an association inhibits competition and is detrimental to the interests of consumers. My Ministry is actively looking into such practices with a view to introducing legislation to make it illegal for trade associations to engage in price fixing or other restrictive trade practices. I assure the Members that we shall pursue this matter vigorously.”
“If we raise personal reliefs by, say, $1,000, then those who are paying the lowest rate of tax of 4%, would have a tax saving of at most $40 while those who are paying the highest tax rate of 45% would enjoy a tax saving of $450 - more than ten times that of those who are in the lowest tax bracket. This is surely an odd and convoluted way of achieving the Member's objective of penalizing the rich to benefit the poor. Finally, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank all Members for their constructive suggestions and I assure them that they will be considered by my officials. [Applause]. 7.15 p.m. Question put, "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983."”
“I wonder if the Member is suggesting that Government should reduce its revenue by shrinking our tax base or drastically lowering tax rates to the level prevailing in Hong Kong. This will, as a matter of fact, help our businessmen, particularly those in the financial sector, to compete more effectively against their counterparts in Hong Kong. But then if he has read Milton Friedman, he will know that the social and housing benefits which are currently enjoyed by our population would have to be reduced to the same levels as in Hong Kong. Is this what the Member is seriously suggesting? Or perhaps is he advocating that we should squeeze the rich to enhance Government revenue. The dire consequences of such a foolish policy can easily be seen in the case of countries like Britain. Suddenly, you find that capital will melt away like an ice cream on a hot day. Talent and expertise will emigrate and we shall all be sharing poverty instead of riches. We should, in fact, try to ensure that as many persons as possible in Singapore, including the self-employed hawkers and taxi-drivers, come within the income tax net, even though the actual amount of tax they pay may only be nominal. Everyone will then be aware that, in this life, nothing is for free and the social and economic amenities which we enjoy have to be paid for. In any case, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson may not have realized that the raising of personal reliefs is regressive in nature, i.e. the tax savings are not distributed in an equitable manner.”
“The Government's economic and taxation policy has always had, as its primary aim, the generation of wealth and then its distribution throughout the whole population in a fair and equitable manner. What the Government has not done is to follow the destructive policies suggested by the Member for Anson, i.e. to carve out in an arbitrary and ultimately self-defeating manner shares in an economic cake which is steadily becoming smaller. That is the road toward eventual collapse in the economy as can be seen in those countries which were unfortunate enough or foolish enough to follow the policies advocated by the Member for Anson. Regrettably, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson did not speak much on the Government's taxation policy yesterday as he had run out of time. However, he did speak at length on this subject during the debate on 3rd March on %he Income Tax (Amendment) Bill and I presume that his views have not changed. In that debate, dwelling on the burden of taxation on our workers, he suggested that instead of looking after the rich, the Government should raise personal reliefs so as to benefit the less well-to-do. The raising, of personal reliefs is not desirable because it shrinks our tax net. If personal reliefs are increased, for example, by $1,000, then our tax base, which as I have indicated comprises only half of our workforce, would be reduced by a further 69,000 individuals. Each of these individuals would save, on the average, $12 in tax. Of course, $12 is $12 and a saving is a saving. But surely it is more important to these Singaporeans that they should get their HDB flats and that their children should have ample opportunities for education rather than that they should save $1 per month in tax?”
“The Singaporean today has a job, he has a roof over his head and he enjoys good social amenities. And his children, irrespective of whether he is well-to-do or poor, have equal opportunities in obtaining the highest education. In a period of full employment and rising wages, the Member for Anson has conveniently set himself up as the champion of the rights of the workers. May I ask what cause the Member was championing during the period of the 1960s when there were riots in the streets and when there were high unemployment rates and when there were bleak economic prospects for the working man. Then the Member was conspicuous by his silence.”
“If we convert this into Singapore dollars, we will see that the Hong Kong government is selling flats at S$172 per square foot compared with the HDB selling its 3-room new generation flats at S$36 per square foot. The majority of the flats provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority are of sizes between 11 to 20 square metres whereas the average HDB flat has a size of 70 square metres. The Hong Kong government is building at a density of about 2,500 to 5,000 persons per hectare as against the HDB's density of 500 to 1,000 persons per hectare. Because of the smaller flats in Hong Kong, people are living in extremely crowded conditions. The average size of a Hong Kong flat is about 2.2 to 4 square metres per person as against 15 square metres per person in an HDB 3-room flat. Our HDB flat is three to six times bigger than the average Hong Kong flat. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, these are the broad statistics which record what is so patently visible to everyone in Singapore but which the Member for Anson refuses to see. Because of this Government, Singapore today is a much better place for all Singaporeans to live. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”