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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“As a step to promote the computer software industry, the NCB is exploring the possibility of erecting a complex within the proposed Kent Ridge Science Park to house software companies. Tourism The tourist sector is important for us because it provides many opportunities for our local businessmen. In the early years, we spent considerable efforts to develop the tourist industry. Today the industry has matured. Stimulated by the promotion efforts of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB), more and more visitors are coming to Singapore because of our growing importance as an air traffic junction and business centre, and because of our clean, green and orderly environment. Last year, 2.83 million visitors came to Singapore, an increase of 10% despite the more difficult economic conditions in the major tourist-generating countries. Tourism earnings in 1981 are estimated at $3.2 billion. We expect the industry to remain buoyant and that we will welcome our 3-millionth visitor in 1982. Spurred by good profits, hotel development is proceeding well. Another 1,480 rooms will be completed in 1982. This should help to stabilize hotel room rates which have increased substantially in the past few years and which threaten to price Singapore out of the tourist circuit. 230 conventions and meetings took place in 1981, the same as in the previous year. Growth was probably restrained because of the lack of a major convention facility. However, this shortcoming will be corrected when the Raffles City development is completed. In the meantime, marketing efforts are being made to attract large conventions in the second half of this decade. Despite the maturity of the tourist industry, we will press on with our efforts to ensure that tourists will continue to come.”
“Floating rate certificates of deposit denominated in Singapore dollars were issued for the first time last year, giving the public another avenue for investing in medium and long-term instruments. Computerization We have made further progress in promoting the wider use of computers in Singapore. The National Computer Board (NCB) officially came into being on 1st September, 1981. It will promote computerization in the Civil Service, establish and maintain standards of computer training and develop Singapore as a computer software centre. So far, computerization projects in ten Ministries costing a total of $95 million have been identified, Work on these projects is progressing smoothly. "We will be making a start in overcoming the shortage of computer personnel when the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore and the Japan-Singapore Institute of Software Technology commence full operation this year. The Polytechnic is also looking into the establishment of an Institute for full-time computer studies to train programmers and systems analysts at Diploma level. To maintain the standards of computer education, a professional examination syndicate will be set up to conduct computer examinations in Singapore. Our secondary and pre-university students already have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with computers. Computer Science is being offered as an "A" level subject in Junior Colleges and computer appreciation clubs have been formed in 91 secondary schools. By July 1982, all existing secondary schools will be staffed with trained teachers and equipped with microcomputer systems.”
“ASEAN has set up two Trade Promotion Centres in Tokyo and Rotterdam in 1981 to forge greater trade ties with the industrialized countries. In addition, ASEAN dialogues with developed countries have allowed all five member countries to benefit from trade and investment with these countries. Financial Services In the last decade, we have laid a sound infrastructure for international financial services. In the next 10 years we will have to develop even more sophisticated services for a larger international clientele, Emphasis is being given in particular to the development of the foreign exchange market, both in the depth and breadth of services provided, and to the loan syndication market. Development in these two areas were aided by the entry of foreign legal expertise and the availability of other ancillary services such as 24-hour high quality printing and sophisticated telecommunication facilities. Last year, 11 offshore banks, four merchant banks and five insurers opened offices. Local banks and financial institutions are becominp increasingly aware of the more competitive domestic and international environment and of the need to be more productive. They are promoting the wider use of automated teller machines. The Automated Cheque Clearing System is scheduled to start on 1st September, 1982. This is expected to improve productivity as well as provide better services to bank customers. To increase the spectrum of services provided, new services such as a financial futures market and a US Dollar Clearing System will be investigated. At the same time, efforts will be made to upgrade the quality of services provided by the Gold Exchange of Singapore.”
“In 1981, 178 Singapore companies took part in overseas trade fairs, missions and promotions organized by the Department of Trade. Participation in more fairs and missions in overseas markets will be organized in 1982 to promote exports specially from our printing and publishing, electronics, furniture, high fashion wear, and engineering industries. Missions to new markets in West Asia, Nordic countries and West Africa are also being planned. The Department of Trade will continue with its programme of conducting marketing seminars and workshops which have been useful in assisting the development of marketing expertise of local companies. Two overseas trade offices were set up in 1981 in Beijing and Rotterdam. New offices are planned in Europe and West Asia in 1982. Apan from servicing trade enquiries and coordinating trade fairs and missions, the overseas offices were also active in encouraging multi-national companies based in this region to organize missions to source-manufactured parts, components and other intermediates for their parent companies at home. As the world economy continues to be plagued by rising protectionism, deeper recession and higher energy costs, ASEAN economic cooperation takes on an added significance for development of our external trade. The most progressive area of ASEAN economic cooperation was in trade liberalization under the ASEAN Pre- ferential Trading Arrangements (PTA). In 1981, another 750 items were added to the ASEAN PTA bringing the total number of items enjoying preferential treatment to 6,581. Also the ceiling for items given across the board tariff concession of 20-25% was raised from US$50,000 to US$500,000. The number of such items had now increased to 7,800. The ceiling will be raised further this year.”
“Our exports of radios, transistors and plywood were among the products affected in the GSP. The increasingly protectionistic mood was also seen in the international textile trade as restrictions were continued in the new Multi-Fibre Agreement concluded last year. Until the industrialized countries restore the health of their economies and increase employment, protectionism will continue to rear its ugly head in international trade. Being a small economy, our best defence against trade protectionism is to increase our productivity so that our goods will still be competitive in price and quality despite protectionistic barriers. We will need to expand our domestic exports by enlarging existing markets and penetrating new ones to provide the impetus for growth. In the longer term, as we restructure our economy and move into the production of more higher value-added products, we will be less vulnerable to protectionism. A good example of local manufacturers responding to Government's call to restructure and upgrade workers' productivity is the textile and garment industry. Apart from investing in new and improved machinery, the textile manufacturers have set up the first-ever centre to train craftsmen and technicians for the industry. With better trained workers who will enhance the industry's productivity and value-added content, we stand a better chance of overcoming protectionistic barriers. In addition to general upgrading, the Department of Trade will continue to promote the orderly growth and development of shipping and trade in commodities. In particular, the Department will work towards improving and developing the marketing needs of our local companies. More local manufacturers have been encouraged to promote their products overseas.”
“Last year, Members were informed that a sum of $10 million was provided in the Budget to finance research and development. This sum has since been raised to $50 million. So far, grants totalling $111/2 million have been approved to support 14 projects in the engineering, medical and biomedical fields. The bulk of these projects will be undertaken by the National University of Singapore (NUS). In the coming year, we will encourage private sector firms to undertake joint research projects with the NUS and our other statutory boards. A crucial element in the development of R&D activities will be the interaction between university and industry. The success of the R&D Open House conducted by the NUS last year was very encouraging. We will continue to foster this interaction between the university staff and private sector researchers. When the first phase of the Kent Ridge Science Park is ready in 1983, we will have a focal point to enhance this interaction. I am confident that we have the talent to achieve our ultimate aim of building up R&D capability in selected areas of technology. With the progress being made in industrial R&D, real opportunities now exist in Singapore for highly qualified R&D scientists and engineers. Trade Development Trade protectionism continued to rise in 1981 as recession and unemployment worsened in the industrialized countries. We were not spared from its effects. Accusations of dumping were made against a number of our products, including microwave ovens, colour television sets, drywood screws, refrigerators and refrigerator compressors. Instigated by protectionistic lobbies in the industrialized nations, restrictions under the euphemism of 'product graduation' were added to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).”
“Industrial development this year will be more difficult than in previous years as the recessionary conditions in the world economy are expected to continue into 1982. Firms face the prospect of slack demand and excess capacity in the markets of the industrialized countries. The high rates of unemployment in our traditional markets will increase protectionistic pressures while unstable exchange rates add to uncertainty. The difficult international environment makes it all the more critical for our manufacturers to restructure quickly towards technology and skill intensive industries. These are less vulnerable to protectionism and recession. EDB will vigorously identify and attract investments in such industries. It will also seek out industries with potential for fast growth and promote investment in specialized services such as aircraft servicing, computer software and engineering consultancy and design. Research and Development In the last two Budget Statements, we have laid the framework of tax incentives and financial assistance for the encouragement of Research and Development (R&D) activities in Singapore, particularly in manufacturing. I am pleased to report that considerable success has been achieved in our promotion of R&D activities. Several projects, with significant R&D content, by international firms such as Nestle, Olivetti, Varta and Sord Computer are now in the pipeline. Other firms are also bringing in major R&D facilities as part of their investment projects. We expect to see further progress in industrial R&D activities in electronics, computer hardware and software, pharmaceuticals, robotics and automation systems and biotechnology.”
“Although some progress has been made in automating our industries, the Government through the Economic Developmgnt Board (EDB) will intensify its effort to achieve the highest feasible level of mechanization in all industrial sectors. An encouraging development last year was the record high investment of $610 million committed by local firms for the expansion and upgrading of plants in the printing, publishing and ship-repairing industries. It is an indication that local companies can be as dynamic as the multinationals. It reaffirms once again that an economic philosophy of free and open competition serves us best. To assist local industries to develop and upgrade further, the EDB increased its lending through the Small Industries Finance Scheme (SIFS). 221 loans totalling $66 million were extended on concessionary terms. Investment allowances were also given for automation and upgrading projects. Of the total $11 million awarded under the Interest Grant for Mechanization Scheme of the Skills Development Fund, 70% went to 91 local companies. To be able to serve the international markets, our products and services must be of the highest standards. The conclusion of the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement with the United States in August 1981 was further testimony that the quality of our products is gaining international recognition. Under this Agreement, aircraft parts and components manufactured in Singapore and certified by the Director of Civil Aviation in Singapore can now be exported to the United States without the need for further certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. This is ample recognition of the skills of our workers.”
“I shall now elaborate on specific areas of our economic policy. Industrial Development Industrial development is progressing well under our three-year wage correction policy. Investment commitments (excluding petrochemicals) amounted to $1.9 billion, a new record. The investments are concentrated on more capital-intensive and higher technology industries, such as metal and heavy engineering, computers, industrial electronics and electronic components, chemical products and petroleum refining. Specific new projects successfully promoted and under implementation include those for IC wafer-diffusion, computers and computer peripherals, pharmaceutical and oil field tools such as rockbits. These projects represent significant advancement for Singapore's technological base and generate challenging job opportunities for an increasingly better educated and better trained workforce. Existing firms also invested in new capital equipment and technology. As a result, for the new investments, fixed investment per worker was 128% higher, in real terms, than in 1980. Similarly, value-added per worker was 81% higher. We have also been more successful in attracting investment in specialized services. Thus commitments for engineering services and computer software services increased from $2 million in 1980 to $34 million in 1981. Labour-intensive industrial sectors that employ unskilled workers in substantial numbers are also mechanizing and automating their production processes. One local company reduced its workforce to one-sixth by introducing industrial robots and automated assembly lines.”
“Although the trade sector slowed down, it still grew by 6%. External trade bore the brunt of the recession in the United States and Western Europe. In dollar terms, it expanded by 10% to $103 billion. In volume terms, the increase was 8%. Though much lower than the previous years, it was a commendable achievement in the face of stagnant world trade. With investment in new factories, offices, hotels, shopping complexes 'and houses, the construction sector grew at a fast pace, 17%. Fortunately, there were fewer supply bottlenecks because of the increases in local production and imports of building materials. More foreign workers from non-traditional sources were also admitted, After a rapid rise in prices in the first half of 1981, we are now seeing a restoration of price stability in the industry. The construction industry will continue to be a very important sector in our economy in the next ten years. I will come back to it later. Our good economic performance had only one unsatisfactory aspect, i.e. a stubborn inflation rate. Mainly because of rising food prices, inflation in 1981 did not subside as much as we would like to see. Consumer prices rose by 8.2%, marginally less than in 1980. However, inflation in Singapore was again lower than the inflation in the industrialized countries and that of our neighbouring countries. Singaporeans did not suffer any cut in real income. As measured by GDP per capita, real income went up by 8.5%. With oil prices now more stable, the outlook for consumer prices in 1982 is healthier. World prices of essential commodities, such as rice and sugar, are expected to decline as a result of good harvests. Barring any unexpected turn of events, our inflation rate will subside further in 1982.”
“In comparison with the depressing economic conditions in the West, the performance of the Singapore economy in 1981 was an enviable one. Our economy grew at just under 10%, only marginally less than in 1980. We are fortunate that the Asia-Pacific region, with its abundant natural resources and political stability, is one of the growth areas in the world today. The North East Asian developing countries of Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea and our ASEAN neighbours, continued to register growth rates of 5-10%. Japan, Australia and New Zealand also did relatively better than other industrialized countries. We benefitted. We were also fortunate to have built up a diversified economic base in the Seventies so that the slack in one product market was made up by the strong growth of another. Domestic factors played a greater role than in previous years in enabling us to achieve further growth in 1981. Undaunted by the adverse world economic condi- tions,business firms took a long term view of the potential of our economic restructuring. They invested in more plant and equipment, buildings and machinery. They mechanized and automated and initiated new and better lines of activities. The public sector also played its part by shedding off some of its manpower to the private sector. Productivity thus advanced further by 5.4% accounting for more than half of the economic growth. A large part of this came from the efforts of individual Singaporeans in responding to economic restructuring. They worked harder and smarter than the year before and acquired new skills. All major sectors of the economy grew, although at a slightly slower pace than in 1980. Manufacturing expanded by 10%, financial and business services 18%, and transport and communication 13%.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1982 to 31st March, 1983." Sir, I have been delegated the authority by the Minister for Finance to prepare and deliver the Budget Statement under Articles 144 and 145 of the Constitution of Singapore. Following established practice I shall present the Statement in three parts. The first will review the progress of the economy in 1981 and our economic policy. The second will elaborate on the FY 1982 Main and Development Estimates, and the third on the Revenue Estimates and tax changes to finance the estimated expenditure incurred in achieving our social and economic objectives. In preparing this year's Budget Statement, I have had the benefit of the views of representatives from various business groups, NTUC, CASE and the University. I have taken these views into consideration where appropriate. Singapore's Economy in 1981 The detailed review of the performance of our economy in 1981 may be found in the Economic Survey of Singapore, 1981 (Cols. 567 - 828), copies of which have been given to hon. Members of the House earlier. Today I shall highlight our performance briefly. As expected, 1981 was a very difficult year for the world economy. Very low or negative growth rates were recorded in the United States, France, West Germany and Great Britain. The number of people without work in Europe and the United States rose to post-war record levels. In the United Kingdom, 3.0 million people, a number greater than the population of Singapore, were without jobs. In the United States, those jobless numbered 9.5 million. Because of the grim economic conditions in these countries, world trade did not grow at all.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name under item 2 on 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 "$338,360", "$1,213,500", "$316,840" and "$113,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$385,000", "$1,495,500", "$346,600" and "$87,900" respectively. Sir, it is proposed to increase the provisions for the Privy Purse and Salaries of personal staff by $46,640 and $282,000 respectively to meet annual increments, the 1982 NWC wage supplement as well as higher contributions to the Central Provident Fund and Skills Development Fund. An increase of $29,760 for Expenses of the Istana household is required because of rising costs of public utilities, other services, stores and maintenance. A sum of $87,900 has been provided under Special Services mainly for the replacement of motor vehicles as well as gardening and office equipment. It is, therefore, necessary to vary the provisions in the Schedule to the Civil List as follows:- for "The Privy Purse" from $338,360 to $385,000; for "Salaries of personal staff" from $1,213,500 to $1,495,500; for "Expenses of household" from $316,840 to $346,600; and for "Special services" from $113,000 to $87,900. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. 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 "$338,360", "$1,213,500", "$316,840" and "$113,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$385,000", "$1,495,500", "$346,600" and "$87,900" respectively. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT 3.52 p.m.”
“Mr 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. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT (Business Motion) Resolved, That, under Standing Order 10 (2), a Ministerial Statement be made by the Prime Minister now. - [Mr E.W. Barker]. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S FURTHER OPINION (Statement by the Prime Minister) 3.37 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to cenain resolutions. Resolutions reported - "That the sum of $1,948,800 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, 1981 to 31 st March, 1982, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1982." "That the sum of $73,663,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditue for the financial year 1st April, 1981 to 31st March, 1982, contained in Paper Cmd. 5 of 1982."”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is yes. Unfortunately, even after taking these other factors into account, the sad fact of life is that the disparity in remuneration between what a good graduate can earn in the public sector and in the private sector is so large that it is not fair to expect civil servants in large measure to make that sacrifice to remain in the Civil Service. No one who makes a career in the Civil Service or in the public sector, whether as a politician or as a civil servant, expects that he or she will be able to obtain the high financial rewards which a good graduate can ear in the private sector. But no one who contemplates a career in the Civil Service should be asked to receive a remuneration whereby he has to see his family suffer or whereby he cannot provide adequately and comfortably for his family. I think it is foolish economy for us to withhold what the Civil Service deserves. If we cannot get good people to run the Government, it is Singapore who will be the loser in the long run. 4.21 p.m. BILLS INTRODUCED CURRENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Currency Act (Chapter 64 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (Dr Goh Keng Swee); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1972 (No. 30 of 1972)", 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.”
“I believe I have answered that, both in the Statement and again in my answers previously.”
“A scholar may perhaps enter with a certain amount of glory but if he does not perform, he will find that his shortcomings will soon be discovered. He has also asked whether I would agree with him that the real cause of the brain drain from the Civil Service is our high economic growth and connected with that, the high prices of property. I think that it is undoubtedly true. It is because our economy has grown so substantially and in such a diversified way in the last 10 to 15 years that a wealth of employment opportunities has now opened up for our graduates. Whereas 30-40 years ago there were few openings for good people other than perhaps the medical or the legal professions and one or two vacancies that opened each year in the colonial civil service a good graduate can now take his pick of jobs in Manufacturing, Transport or what-have-you. So the Civil service today has to compete with these other economic sectors for the people which it needs. Regarding the high prices of properties, I think that this must be of concern not only to the civil servants but also to all Singaporeans. One of the matters which the PSRC would be paying particular attention to would be to see how to improve the housing scheme for Singaporeans. Finally the suggestion from the Member for Anson as to whether the PSRC would hold a hearing to hear complaints from the Administrative and Professional officers. The answer is that we have already held hearings and discussed extensively with a number of Administrative and Professional officers in the formulation of these revisions. I see no advantage in reopening this again. He has also asked whether Government would review the terms and conditions of service in the other services.”
“What this revision seeks to achieve is to check the gross disparity in pay between a graduate who works in the private sector and one who works in the public sector so that we can be sure, we hope, that the rate of resignations will slow down and we can also be sure that we can retain a number of Administrative Officers who will, as the years go by, gain experience and will, therefore, be able to take over the top jobs in future when these are available. I believe the last question is whether there are schemes to give other perks to the Administrative and Professional officers. During the course of its deliberations, the Professional Services Review Committee and the Chairman, Public Service Commission, also looked into the other terms and conditions of service and they discussed these with the Administrative Officers themselves. The feedback they had was that most of the other conditions of service were satisfactory except for housing and superannuation. As I have mentioned in my Statement today, these are being looked into in a separate exercise. I hope I have covered all the questions. The Member for Whampoa has asked about the causes for the high rate of resignations. I think I have answered that question. He has asked whether there is not an undue emphasis on scholars and also the need for personnel management in the Civil Service. I do not think that within the Civil Service itself there is any undue focus on scholars. Promotion within the Civil Service is by performance whether you are or are not a scholar. Perhaps the press has been giving too much attention to a certain category of the Civil Service. But I can assure you that the Permanent Secretaries in the Civil Service are a very hard-headed lot.”
“Besides, during that time their commitments are also not so many. After five years they get married. Some of them will have their first or second child and then the pressure of their commitments will force them to take a closer look at their careers. Moreover, at about this time they would have had enough experience in the Civil Service to know whether they want to make a permanent career in the Civil Service or whether they should seek their fortunes in the private sector. The period between five and eight years is most crucial. That is why the salary revisions are targetted for the middle range of the Time-scales. Now, what is the number of core Administrative Officers that we need? The Budget Division has authorized a permanent establishment of 299 Administrative Officers. I am sure we all know very well the nature of the Ministry of Finance. We can be assured that they are not over-generous in allocating posts for the Administrative Service. I can say that 299 Administrative Officers will be the number which we need to run the service at a comfortable level. As at 1st January this year, we had 199 Administrative Officers, 131 Timescale Officers and 68 Superscale Officers. So there were 100 vacancies, or approximately one-third of the number of posts in the Administrative Service. I think I have answered the question as to how effectively the revision of salaries will check the resignations. But let me say that we will never be able to devise a salary scale such that no one will ever resign. If we do that, then we are doing something wrong. It means that we are overpaying our officers. There must be a certain amount of turnover in any service, in any organization.”
“First of all, he has asked why the PSC only selects graduate scholars to the Administrative Service. The answer is that, of course, this is not true. Entry into the Administrative Service is open to all good graduates who have at least a Second Class Upper (Honours) degree. However, the difficulty in Singapore in recent years is that it is extremely difficult to find a good graduate who is not a scholar. I remember that when I was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Singapore, we had a peculiar problem there in that there were a number of scholarships for which we could not find anybody to give to because all those who were qualified to receive them had already been awarded scholarships of one type or another. But if there are any good graduates who happened not to have received a scholarship, then the PSC will certainly be pleased to interview them. As to resignations, there are many reasons why people resign from the Civil Service or from any organization. Salary is only one of them. Occasionally they have differences with their superiors. Some people find that after a few years they are not suited for work in the Civil Service. But undoubtedly salary is one of their major concerns. At what stage of their career do most of the Administrative Officers leave the service? We have found out, over a period of time, that they normally leave after they have served between five and eight years in the Administrative Service. This seems to be the most popular period. I believe the answer is quite simple. If they are male graduates and after they have finished their National Service, they would join the Civil Service at the age of either 23, 24 or 25 years. For the first five years they are quite content to remain in the Civil Service because they are receiving training.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank Members for their suggestions in regard to the revision of salaries which I have just announced. Let me take the questions put by the Members in the order in which they were asked. First, with regard to the question by the Member for Khe Bong, I can assure him that, as I have stated in the Ministerial Statement, the Ministry of Finance is looking into the salary scales of the other services, that is, Divisions II, III and IV. In their review of these services, they will take into account all the factors, including disparities of pay between the salary scales in that service and the services outside. That will be done. The Member for Moulmein has asked whether I can give a time-frame for the review of the other services. I regret that this is not possible. There are a large number of these services. If the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Commission are to do a proper job, they must take their time to make sure that any revisions are justified and fair to the people in the services concerned. But I am sure they will try to expedite it. He has also made the suggestion that during the period of the review the Government should consider making a 14th month payment to tide the other services over, so to speak, during the period of the review. This has also been supported by the Member for Punggol. I shall commend this suggestion to the Minister for Finance. I understand that in Japan bonuses are now paid twice a year, one in Spring and another in Autumn. As we are advocating the Japanese style of management here, I am sure that this suggestion will merit consideration by the Ministry of Finance. The Member for Kampong Kembangan has asked a number of questions.”
“This is now being done by the Ministry of Finance in consultation with the Chairman, Public Service Commission. In view of the large number of other services that have to be reviewed, the Ministry and PSC will have to stagger them. Services which have high turnover of staff and great difficulty in recruiting staff will be given priority over others. However, other reviews which have begun in response to proposals submitted by departments or the trade unions will continue. In this review the Ministry will not be bound by existing relativities between services and between grades in the same service. Each service will be examined on its own merits and employees on the same salary scale in different services may not get on to the same (new) salary scale after review. Other Conditions of Service Finally, the PSRC and Chairman PSC are of the view that other terms of service such as leave, medical benefits and car loans are generally satisfactory except for the matter of housing and superannuation. These will be looked into in a separate exercise. 3.50 p.m.”
“The salaries and promotion prospects of the senior echelons of the uniformed services will therefore be reviewed by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, to reflect the importance of their contribution to the security and prosperity of Singapore. Education Services On account of its special features the Education Service will be considered in a separate exercise and the Education Ministry is looking into this matter. Other Services This Statement is concerned principally with salaries in the Administrative and Professional services, and this is as it should be since 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, Clerical service, Nursing service, etc, who collectively make up the arms and legs of the Civil Service. It is only when there is a sense of dedication and common purpose between the Permanent Secretary and the clerical officer that the Civil Service will be able to respond sensitively and quickly to the needs of the public which it serves. While we revise the salaries of officers in the Administrative and Professional services, we should therefore not overlook the need to revise the salaries in the supporting services.”
“Such officers must be drawn from graduates of excellence and, to attract and retain these graduates, a Foreign Service Branch of the Administrative Service will be created which will be identical in salary structure and recruitment standards with the Administrative Service. Depending on their aptitudes, performance and qualifications, serving officers or fresh graduates will be selected for the Administrative Service (Foreign Service Branch) or for the Foreign Service which will be on par with the other Professional services. Schedule III sets out the new salary scales recommended for the Administrative Service (Foreign Service Branch) and the Foreign Service. Implementation of these scales will cost $0.70 million per year. Date of Implementation The revised salary scales and reduction of Superscale grades for the Administrative and all Professional services will be implemented with effect from 1st April, 1982. Uniformed Services The uniformed services do not form part of the terms of reference of the present review but no group of officers is more important to Singapore than the senior officers in the Singapore Armed Forces and the Police Force. Without a tenacious, well-trained and highly motivated SAF, led by able, wholly committed officers, Singapore will be defenceless in time of war and become easy pickings for an aggressor. Similarly, without an efficient and non-corrupt Police Force, led by intelligent, determined officers, law and order will not match the wit and guile of shrewd and ruthless criminal types and the texture of our society will be damaged.”
“in comparison with the incomes of engineering and technology graduates in the private sector, the revised Timescales for the Professional services were fixed by internal relativities within the Civil Service and designed to underline the premier status of the Administrative Service. Implementation of the revised Time-scale salaries will cost $1.85 million per year for the Administrative Service and $8.90 million per year for the Professional services (excluding the Foreign and Education Services). Reduction of Superscale Grades To avoid a multiplicity of Superscale grades in the Civil Service, Government has decided to delete the intermediate Superscale grades of H, F, D1, C1 and B1 from the Administrative Service and C1 and B1 from the Professional services. The intermediate grades of Superscale H, F and D1 will be retained for the Professional services to facilitate promotion since there are fewer Superscale grades in the Professional services, the apex grades in these services being Superscale C or lower. Consequent on the deletion of the intermediate Superscale grades, a special promotion exercise will be held for all Superscale Officers in the Administrative Service as well as Professional services to determine their suitability for promotion to the next higher grade. Foreign Service In order to maintain good relations with other countries it is vital that our Foreign Affairs machinery should be manned by outstanding and dedicated officers capable of interpreting the complex interplay of national ambitions and puffing forward Singapore's views when necessary.”
“These new Timescale salaries were derived from a comparative study of the median incomes of engineering and technology graduates in the private sector. Incomes of engineering and technology graduates in the private sector were selected because: (i) For a fair comparison incomes of the self-employed graduates in the private sector had to be excluded, and almost all engineering and technology graduates in this sector were employees; (ii) The engineering and technology graduates in the private sector formed a sizeable group and would be a comparable category of graduates since the majority of recruits into the Administrative Service in recent years were engineering graduates. The new Timescale salaries have been pitched at a level so that when compared with engineering and technology gradu- ates in the private sector with the same number of years of working experience:- (i) the income of a good Administrative Officer (who is expected to attain Superscale D in about 15 years) will approximate the 90th percentile income of such graduates; (ii) the income of an outstanding Administrative Officer (who is expected to attain Superscale C in about 15 years) will exceed the 90th percentile income of such graduates. Graph I shows the new Time-scale salaries in comparison with remuneration in the private sector. Timescale Salaries for the Professional Services Government has also approved new Timescale salaries for the Professional services. These are set out in Schedule 11. While the new scales for Timescale Administrative Officers were determined by external relativity, i.e.”
“The attrition rates for the Engineering, Dental and Medical services were even higher, while the attrition rate for the Legal service was 12%. At the more senior level, five Superscale Administrative Officers resigned last year, more than the total number who had resigned for the past ten years. The Professional services also suffered from a heavy and relentless loss of experienced, highly qualified officers which, if allowed to continue, would lead to a deterioration in the quality of staff in those services. Government has therefore decided to revise the salaries of Timescale grades in the Administrative Service and Professional services. The additional promotional grades created in 1979, particularly the three Staff grades, have brought salaries of Superscale Officers nearer to remuneration in the private sector and no revision of Superscale salaries is necessary. However, consequent on the salary revision for Timescale grades, slight adjustments have to be made to the Superscale salaries. Can I now ask the Clerk of Parliament to distribute to Members one Annex (Cols. 481 - 492) which describes the composition and terms of reference of the PSRC, together with three Schedules and one graph. [Copies of Annex distributed to hon. Members.] Annex - THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE, SALARY PROGRESSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ON NEW SCALE, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (FOREIGN) AND FOREIGN SERVICE (Cols. 481 - 492) Timescale Salaries For The Administrative Service The new Timescale salaries for the Administrative Service are set out in Schedule 1, which is now before Members.”
“Salary Revision In 1979 Government made a comprehensive study of the incomes of graduates in the public and private sectors. This study indicated that while the outstanding Administrative Officer was paid much less than the top 5% of the salaried graduates in the private sector, the average officer in the Administrative Service earned as much as the average officer in the private sector. Government therefore decided in 1979 that a salary revision was not necessary and that it was sufficient to create additional promotional grades to reward the outstanding Administrative Officers and professionals. The situation today is different. An updated study on incomes of graduates reveals a gross disparity in pay between the graduates in the public and private sectors. The study indicates that the mean annual income of graduates in the private sector is about 42% higher than the corresponding mean annual income of graduates in the public sector. In other words, graduates in the private sector earn on the average 42% more than those in the public sector with comparable years of working experience, field of study, and occupation. The disparity in income between graduates in the private and public sectors is particularly glaring for those in the Time-scale grades in Government service. The counterpart to this disparity in income between graduates in the private and public sectors is reflected in high rates of resignations of officers in the Administrative and Professional services in recent years. In the case of officers in the Time-scale grades, 67 Administrative Officers, 165 engineers, 24 lawyers, 70 dentists and 281 doctors left Government service in the last four years. In 1981 alone, 22 Timescale Administrative Officers resigned, an attrition rate of 14%.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am making a statement on behalf of the Government on the Administrative and Professional Services in the Singapore Civil Service. Introduction The task of government is to govern firmly, wisely and fairly in the interest of Singapore and with the consent of the majority of our population. Good government requires not only honest, able and dedicated political leaders, but also a leadership in the Civil Service who can match the political leadership in ability, integrity and commitment. Only then will political decisions be translated into workable plans which can be implemented efficiently and with the minimum of rancour and disaffection. To maintain its vibrancy and effectiveness the Civil Service must attract each year and retain in service a sufficient number of the brightest and most-balanced of our graduates. In due course they will occupy the higher echelons in the Administrative and Professional services. To do otherwise is to put our future in jeopardy because, when the present stalwarts in the service retire, there will not be the young men and women of excellence to whom they can hand over their responsibilities. This we must never allow to happen. The terms and conditions of service of the Administrative Service and the Professional services must therefore be kept competitive with those offered in the private sector. The Professional Services Review Committee (PSRC), working in close consultation with the Chairman, Public Service Commission, recently completed a review of the salaries and other conditions of service in the Administrative and Professional services. Their views and recommendations were submitted to Cabinet on 4th February, 1982, and have been accepted by Government. I shall now outline the major changes.”
“Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the the present shortage of parking lots in most of the public housing estates, whether it will be feasible to mark out parking lots along the roadside of minor roads in public housing estates to allow overnight parking to alleviate the problem of indiscriminate overnight parking along the roads; and, if not, what are the plans to ease the increasing parking problem in most Housing and Development Board estates.”
“When a fault occurs in any part of the system, power is diverted to other parts of the network. Stand-by generators can also be loaded up. In addition, the System Control Centre has facilities for remote control of major substations to expedite restoration of supply. The PUB has also taken steps to minimize damage to cables that can lead to power failures. Bare overhead lines are being progressively replaced by insulated wires to reduce power failures caused by failing tree branches. Before carrying out excavation work, contractors are required to locate all underground cables within the worksites by checking plans and digging trial holes. The Electricity Department of PUB also maintains a service and operation centre which is on 24-hour call and can handle minor and localized breakdowns of electricity supply. For the more major ones, the PUB Electricity Department has an emergency plan for the mobilization of all its staff. The System Control Centre in Ayer Rajah is the nerve centre in this plan. Power failures are detected almost instantaneously by the Centre. The severity of the breakdown and the areas affected are immediately assessed by the System Control Engineers who will initiate an alert and contact the Chief Electrical Engineer and other key officers. The reIovent engineers and technical officers follow a course of action in accordance with the procedures spelt out in the plan. In attending to major failures, all 45 engineers and 74 technical officers in the Trans- mission and Distribution Division are involved. Where necessary, engineers and officers in other divisions can be mobilized. The response is immediate as normal maintenance and repair work is temporarily suspended to accord priority to emergencies. PARKING PROBLEM IN HOUSING BOARD ESTATES 23.”
“Sir, the power failure which occurred at 11.15 am on 5th October, 1981, was caused by a defect in the protection system of three 230kv cables leading to Kallang Basin Substation - two from the Senoko Power Station and one from the Tampines Substation. Power supply to these three cables was switched off by their protection system. The protection system is a subsidiary electrical circuit whose function is to prevent the main power cable from being damaged by excessive flow of current. The circuit is normally dormant but is activated when it detects a fault in the main cable. The cable is then automatically switched off. Investigation revealed that there was no fault or damage in the three 230kv cables themselves and they were put back into service. The protection system has been isolated. PUB engineers and the manufacturers are investigating the cause of the fault in the protection system. Power failures can be caused by faulty equipment and damage to cables due to ground subsidence, careless contractors and inclement weather. In planning our electricity supply system, the PUB has taken steps to install equipment and plant that are reliable. There are built-in safety devices to prevent small faults from developing into major ones, that can cause damage to the equipment or, worse. a total system breakdown. Regular preventive maintenance is carried out. Notwithstanding all these precautions, however, equipment failure can still occur in a large complex power system like ours, which has tripled in size within the last decade. The PUB has installed a computerized System Control Centre costing $8 million at Ayer Rajah, This Centre constantly monitors power transmission and generation and is manned round the clock.”
“BILL INTRODUCED TRADE DISPUTES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Trade Disputes Act (Chapter 128 of the Revised Edition)", 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. STATUTORY BOARDS (TAXABLE SERVICES) (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.11 p.m.”
“Sir, I think that is a very good idea and I shall ask the Minister for Culture to do that. CONSTRUCTION OF MOSQUE IN RADIN MAS (Progress) 26. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs (a) what progress's has been made so far in the construction of a Mosque in Radin Mas; and (b) has a building committee been formed and, if not, when one will be set up. The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, under Phase II of the Mosque Building Programme, a mosque will be built for the use of residents of Telok Blangah, Radin Mas and the surrounding areas. Whether the mosque will be located in the Telok Blangah or the Radin Mas constituency will depend on the Housing and Development Board. The construction of the mosque is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 1983. The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) has been holding discussions with the residents of Telok Blangah and Radin Mas on the formation of a Mosque Building Committee. I am glad to inform the House that the residents have been enthusiastic and have proposed a number of names for appointment to the committee. MUIS is now compiling a list of suitable persons to fill the key posts in this committee, namely, the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant Secretary. These appointments will be made in a month's time. MUIS has to exercise great care in selecting persons to fill these important positions. They must be persons who are dedicated and possess the ability to lead the residents in seeing through the successful completion of the mosque.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the month of July 1981, about 14,000 consumers or 2.3% of the total 600,000 accounts sent in their own meter readings for billing. To encourage consumers to read their own meters, PUB issues meter-reading cards with prepaid postage to all consumers who Wish to make their own readings. These cards are also left at the premises by the meter readers when they are unable to take meter readings because the premises are found to be locked. The PUB has also been promoting self-reading of meters by giving talks in schools and community centres during which a special audio-visual show on how to read meters is screened. The PUB is now producing a new guide for domestic consumers which will include instructions on how to read meters.”
“Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many householders read their own Public Utilities Board meters as at 31st July, 1981 ; and (b) what steps the PUB is taking to promote self-reading of meters by consumers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in 1980 the Public Utilities Board's average cost of producing one cubic metre of water was 33 cents. This year, the average cost is expected to rise to 37.4 cents because of the increased cost of energy, chemicals and equipment and the higher wages of workers. The average selling price of water in 1980 was 44.7 cents per cubic metre. However, the water tariff for domestic consumers is structured in blocks at increasing rates for higher levels of consumption. At present, the price per cubic metre for the first 25 cubic metres consumed is only 30 cents. Seventy-four per cent of domestic consumers consume less than 25 cubic metres a month and are, therefore, enjoying water at below cost. The hon. Member has also asked for the relevant statistics on the amount of water sold and the Water Department's profit or loss for the years 1976 to 1980. I shall also give the development expenditure for these years in order to put these statistics in their proper perspective. Surplus of Development Water Sold Water Dept Expenditure Million Dollars Dollars Cu Metres Million Million 1976 198 18.2 18.9 1977 210 22.8 35.1 1978 224 25.0 39.9 1979 238 36.7 41.3 1980 256 19.3 36.3 As can be seen, the surplus of the Water Department each year falls far short of the amount required to finance the development expenditure for the construction of new reservoirs and treatment plants. The PUB has had to borrow from the Government, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to meet part of its development expenditure. METER READING BY CONSUMERS 25.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have considered other means and we believe that the increase in water tariffs is one of the best ways to bring down water usage. PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD (Water production cost and selling price) 24. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether he can ascertain from the Public Utilities Board what is the net cost of production and the selling price of water per cubic metre, and how many cubic metres of water were sold from 1976 to 1980, both years inclusive, giving each year's net profit/loss.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I said just now, the PUB will be mounting a Save Water Campaign in October to persuade the public to be more frugal in water usage. However, we will also increase the water tariffs to make sure that water usage goes down.”
“For those households which consume less than 20 cubic metres of water per month - 61% of households are in this category - the average increase will amount to less than a dollar per month; in fact, less than the price of a packet of cigarettes or three cups of coffee.”
“Sir, water rates have to be periodically revised because the cost of supplying water rises each year. As long as the PUB workers continue to enjoy periodic wage increases in line with other workers and new reservoirs and water treatment plants have to be constructed at higher cost, there is no way to avoid revision of water tariffs. In considering the revision of water tariffs, PUB has also to take into account the need to curb the high rate of increase in water consumption which, if not brought down, will lead to water shortages in the future. Past experience has shown that increases in water tariffs are effective in helping to curb wasteful consumption. A more drastic measure to cut wasteful water consumption is to impose water rationing. Such a measure, in my view, is socially less palat- able and economically less efficient. It should be introduced, if at all, in a crisis. To help the public to be more frugal in water usage, the PUB will mount a Save Water Campaign in October this year. I am aware that the PUB has not ruled out the possibility of further increases in electricity and gas charges. PUB cannot hold down charges when the price of imported oil continues to rise. I share the hon. Member for Khe Bong's concern for the difficulties facing families with limited incomes, and I would like to assure him that the revision in water tariffs will be structured so that the increase will be equitable. It will be the large and wasteful consumers who will be more heavily penalized for the wasteful habits. I have also asked the PUB to phase out the increases so as to allow consumers time to adjust their expenditure and to spare them from the traumatic adjustments of sudden large revisions. For this round of revision, the increases will be quite moderate.”
“With the consent of Mr Deputy Speaker and the general assent of Members present, Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, "That the introduction of the Statutory Boards (Taxable Services) (Amendment) Bill and Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the Order Paper be taken now." - [Mr E W Barker]. STATUTORY BOARDS (TAXABLE SERVICES) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Statutory Boards (Taxable Services) Act (Chapter 149 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; 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. BETTING AND SWEEPSTAKE DUTIES (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“I would like to assure the Sikh community that the first 25 members to be appointed by the Minister will be representative of all the major denominations of the Sikh community in Singapore. The Government will ensure that the members appointed to hold office are persons who are interested in furthering the welfare of the Sikh community and will not be influenced in their decision- making by narrow sectarian interests. However, I am confident that, since a high proportion of the Sikhs living in Singapore are Singapore citizens by birth, they will strive to foster a united Sikh community that will live in peace and harmony alongside other religious groups in Singapore. Clause 12 of the Bill gives the Board the power to acquire, purchase, sell or otherwise dispose of movable and immovable property and, under Clause 19, all the movable and immovable property which were vested in the former Boards will vest in the Board upon the commencement of the Act. Clause 16 empowers the Board to make rules with the approval of the Minister for the purposes of the Act. It is necessary for the smooth and proper running of the two temples that there should be rules set out to regulate the keeping of the Membership Register, the conduct of general meetings, the keeping of proper accounts and other related matters. Clause 21 is a transitional provision and provides for the transfer of the rights and liabilities of the former Boards to the Board. 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. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ORDER OF BUSINESS (Motion) 4.20 p.m.”
“However, the HDB provided an alternative site at Serangoon Road/Towner Road and also erected a temporary temple on it for the Sikh community. The Sikh community has now to build a permanent structure so that the temporary temple can be demolished thereafter. The amalgamation of the two Boards of Trustees will enable the Sikh community to concentrate on setting up a building fund for the construction of the Central Sikh Temple. The Bill provides that the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board shall consist of 25 persons. The first Board shall be appointed by the Minister. Subsequent Boards will consist of 10 members to be appointed by the Minister and another 15 to be elected by persons whose names are on the Membership Register of the Central Sikh Gurdwara. Clause 5 of the Bill provides that the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board shall set up and maintain a Membership Register in which shall be entered the names of persons who have made declarations that they profess the Sikh faith, are not less than 21 years of age and are ordinarily resident in Singapore. The establishment of this Membership Register will enable Sikhs who are interested in the management of the two principal Sikh temples to offer themselves for election which will be by secret ballot. However, no person may be appointed or elected a member of the Board unless he is a citizen of Singapore. The Bill also provides for the Board to elect a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and other officials as it may consider necessary from among themselves. Board members are eligible for re-appointment or re-election at the end of their term of office of two years except that no member of the Board will be allowed to hold office as a Treasurer for more than two years consecutively.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to confirm that the land on which the Nanyang University Campus stands will be vested in the NTI first and subsequently in the Technological University of Nanyang. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. 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. CENTRAL SIKH GURDWARA BOARD BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.06 p.m. The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Sikh Temples at Silat Road and Serangoon Road/Towner Road are now administered by Boards of Trustees appointed under the Silat Road Gurdwara Ordinance (Cap. 318) and the Queen Street Gurdawara Ordinance (Cap. 311) respectively. The Sikh community have long recognized that having two separate Boards of Trustees to run the two principal Sikh Temples in Singapore is not practical. As early as 1961, a law was passed, called the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board Ordinance, 1961, to amalgamate the two Boards into a single Board of Management. However, this Ordinance was not brought into force because, soon after it was passed, a few leading members of the Sikh community objected to certain provisions contained in it. There were no further developments until 1979 when the Sikh community revived the call for the amalgamation of the two Boards of Trustees into a single body. This was precipitated by the Housing and Development Board acquiring the land on which the Queen Street Temple stood.”
“Firstly, the teaching staff will make it their responsibility to keep abreast with technological development in Singapore through the provision of consultancy services to the public and private sectors. Secondly, the Institute will have a system of industrial attachment for students so that it will be kept informed of the problems and requirements of industry. Thirdly, the Schools of the Institute will have Advisory Committees comprising industrialists, Government officials and academic staff. These committees will be effective channels of communication and will provide a good sounding board for the introduction of new courses by the Schools in keeping with changes in the needs of our local industry. The Institute will produce its first graduates by the mid-1980s. Government intends to give the Institute its fullest support so that by the late 1980's the Institute will have developed sufficiently to provide a full range of both general and honours degree courses in the various streams of engineering. This will pave the way for the Institute to be developed by 1992 into a full-fledged technological university to be called the Technological University of Nanyang. To meet this objective Government will ensure that the Institute will, from the start, have facilities and terms and conditions of service for staff which are appropriate to a University-level institution. When it is fully developed, the Technological University of Nanyang will play a crucial role in training the highly-skilled manpower needed for the sophisticated, capital-intensive, high-value added industries that will figure prominently in our economy in the 1990s. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee for their energetic and unstinting efforts which will give the Institute a flying start. An overall plan for the development of the Institute has been approved by Government and provision has been made for the Institute to begin with three Schools: 1. Civil and Structural Engineering. 2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 3. Mechanical and Production Engineering. A vigorous campaign to recruit staff has been launched and the Institute is targetting to employ at least 30 academic staff by the end of this year. As of to-day, over 400 applications have been received in response to the Institute's recruitment efforts. Twenty-four appointees, 12 local and 12 expatriates, have accepted the Institute's offers of employment and a further nine offers have been made. Dean-designates for the three Schools have been appointed and the key administrative and library staff have already started work. INDECO has been appointed as the project manager for the physical development of the NTI campus and an eminent architect, Professor Kenzo Tange, has been retained to draw up the Master Plan for a new complex of lecture theatres, laboratories, offices and ancillary facilities capable of accommodating up to 3,000 students by 1990. Phase I of the plan, which is to convert the existing buildings to provide temporary facilities for students and staff, has already begun and will be completed by February next year in time to receive the first batch of NTI students to be admitted in July 1982. The Institute will encourage close interaction with industry in a number of ways.”
“Instead of faculties, the Institute will have Schools. The Institute's governing body will be the Council which will consist of 15 members. Five members (inclusive of the President) will be appointed from among the Institute's academic staff. Of these five members, at least two must be Deans of Schools or Heads of Institutions and at least one must be a full-time teacher who is neither Head nor Dean. Five members will be appointed by the Government, of whom one shall be on the nomination of the Professional Engineers Board and one shall be on the nomination of the Council of the Institute of Engineers, Singapore. The NUS will be represented by five members comprising its Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Engineering and three members to be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. In place of the Senate there will be an Academic Board which will be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the NUS. The President of the Institute will be the Deputy Chairman of the Academic Board which will include in its membership the Dean and Vice-Dean of Engineering of the NUS and the Deans and Professors of the Institute. As with the NUS, no provision has been made for a Guild of Graduates. Since graduates of the Institute will receive NUS degrees, they will officially be members of the NUS Graduates Register. This will, however, not preclude the Institute from having its own Sub-Register. A Students Union will be established along the lines of the National University of Singapore Students Union. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, although the Institute has yet to be formally established, an NTI Planning and Development Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr Cham Tao Soon, Dean of Engineering of the NUS, has been hard at work since August last year to prepare the groundwork for the setting up of the Institute.”
“The Institute is also empowered to enter into and carry out such arrangements as the Institute's Council may think fit with the National University of Singapore for the coordination of the work of the Institute with the work of the National University of Singapore, and for the conduct of courses and examinations and for such other purposes as the Institute may, tom time to time, determine. Clause 6 provides that the Institute shall be governed by the provisions of the Institute's Constitution as set out in the Schedule to the Act. As in the case of the Constitution of the National University of Singapore, the Minister is empowered, on the advice of the Institute's Council, to amend the Institute's Constitution by Order published in the Gazette. This flexibility is necessary as occasions may well arise in future when the Institute's Constitution has to be amended. Clauses 8, 9 and 10 which relate to the accounts and the audit of accounts of the Institute are standard provisions. Clause 12 deals with the grant and acquisition of land for the purposes of the Institute, and clause 13 concerns the application of the Societies Act to the student bodies of the Institute. These two clauses are based on the existing provisions of the National University of Singapore Act. Clause 14 empowers the Minister to make rules for the removal of any difficulty which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for the initial appointments of the President of the Institute, the Deans of Schools of the Institute and the appointments to the first Council. The Constitution of the Institute follows closely that of the Constitution of the National University of Singapore but with appropriate modifications. The chief executive of the Institute will be its President.”