Wong Kan Seng
Singapore
“We all want a better future for our children and the future generations. Amid the debates, let us not lose sight of what we are working for – we are working for the benefit and future of Singaporeans. Not for growth targets, not for foreigners, but for Singaporeans.”
“Mrs Mildred Tan also suggested doing a longitudinal study on the impact of new citizens on Singapore. I am told that there is a periodic study on the perception of integration and rootedness of Singaporeans and PRs. A study is now ongoing too.”
“All they need to do is simply declare that they meet the residential criteria. EASING IN US ECONOMY (Impact on Singapore) 9. Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Senior Minister what will be the expected impact on the Singapore economy arising from the US Federal Reserve's announcement on 3rd November 2010 of a "quantitative easing" of the US economy…”
“Well, from the data I have here, 553 registered to vote before the 2006 GE and this is the data I have but Ms Lim may be right. There may be 1,000-odd that Ms Lim had mentioned. From what I am told now, we have 1,325 Singaporean overseas who are eligible to register to vote have registered.”
“But, as I said, there are so many other possibilities that they could come in and there could also be many possibilities that we could have missed and they have entered or left Singapore. LAND SWAP AGREEMENT FOR KTM STATION AND RAILWAY LANDS 2.”
“They are also recruiting people by offering them scholarships. So, we hope more of our companies can do that. Hopefully they come here to work for a while and, if they like our place, they may want to settle down. This is a place which they can think about. POPULATION AND TALENT DIVISION 5. Assoc. Prof.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know of any jamming of each other's television or radio broadcast. JURONG VILLE SCHOOL (Operational date and site) 10. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Education when will Jurong Ville School be operational and where will it be sited.”
“We will always bear this in mind but we will continue to take this position until a new situation demands that we should do a review. Assoc. Prof. Walter Woon (Nominated Member): Sir, the Minister of State has laid open the possibility that we would have cable television and more access to these international news programmes, but he has not said how soon he expects this to happen. Could he give us some indication when this is going to happen?”
“As I have just said, the situation has not changed even though ASEAN as a whole has grown. ASEAN as a whole has improved its relations and we have shared many mutual interests together, and this is one area which we think we should continue with the status quo. Mr Chiam See Tong: Will the Minister, in fact, look into this situation about the newspapers and explore the possibility of going into further negotiations?”
“We have both agreed that this situation is in the best interest of our two countries. We are so close to each other and whatever happens in each other's country will have an effect on the other. In the best interest of both countries, we decide that this situation of not circulating our newspapers in each other's country is the best way of arranging it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can I make a clarification on the answer given by the Minister of State? I am speaking as the Acting Minister for Information and the Arts. For Malaysian newspapers, there was an agreement a long time ago between the two governments that our newspapers do not circulate mutually in each other's country. That position remains.”
“Sir, there is no need for such a high-powered coordinating committee because all this work in dealing with external parties and our partners in ASEAN, APEC, etc., is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. HAWKER STALLS (Transfer to spouses or children) 3. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for the Environment, in view of the policy to increasingly privatise hawker centres, whether he will consider allowing hawkers to transfer their stalls to their spouses or children instead of letting them remain vacant.”
“We can help to develop APEC's links because the Secretariat has been set up in Singapore; and Thirdly, started new networks for consultations on regional security, both within ASEAN and with the major countries of the Asia-Pacific, which can reduce future uncertainties. The Government intends to continue to be active and constructive in ASEAN, APEC and the EAEC because they serve the interests of Singapore and its neighbours. Other regions, including Europe, have found it valuable to participate in the pattern of dialogue and cooperation ASEAN has established. ASEAN is not alone in moving in this direction. There is a global recognition that multilateral links have and will become more important in the post-Cold War era.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, no country is big enough to stand alone. Even for the United States, it needs to be part of a larger North America Free Trade Area. The industrial economies have an exclusive club, the Group of Seven (G7). They meet annually at Heads of Government level, most recently in Tokyo. Singapore's prosperity and security depend heavily on its trade, investment and political links with its Asian neighbours and the industrial economies. Our membership in regional groupings like ASEAN, APEC and the EAEC, etc. is essential to our prosperity and well-being. Our objectives are to ensure friendly political relations and economic cooperation with our neighbours and economic partners, who are also members of these groupings. They provide us with a network of friends and partners which helps us to protect our interests and creates new economic opportunities. Singapore plays an active role in ASEAN and APEC, and we would do our part in helping the EAEC to take off. This active role gives us a stake in regional and international developments. While the recent ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and the Post-Ministerial Conferences are still fresh in our minds, let me use them as an illustration. Between the ASEAN Summit and last month's ASEAN-PMC Ministerial Meetings, both chaired by Singapore, ASEAN has made significant progress in regional political and economic cooperation that serves the interests of Singapore and its ASEAN partners. In order to meet the challenges of large economic groupings that may shut us out, and to deal with geopolitical uncertainties arising from the end of the Cold War, we have: Firstly, agreed on an ASEAN Free Trade Area; Secondly, strengthened our links with major economic partners like the US, Japan, China and the NIEs through APEC.”
“With his departure from this world, he left many vacancies to be filled. Dr Tay's dedication to his work, constituency and family is known to all of us. Even when Dr Tay was in hospital, his mind was still on his work. Colleagues who had visited him in the hospital would testify to the fact that Dr Tay would discuss affairs of state with them despite the pain that he was suffering. Even when he was in hospital just before his death, he was preparing his National Day speech for his constituency's National Day Dinner which he had hoped to attend. But, alas, he could not keep that appointment because his illness overcame him. We send our deepest condolence to Dr Tay's bereaved family. On behalf of the Members, I would like to place on record the appreciation of this House for the significant contributions of both Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng and Dr Tay Eng Soon. We mourn their loss.”
“Dr Yeoh was not only well-known for his distinguished contribution to Singapore as a Parliamentarian and Speaker but was also renowned for his excellent surgical skills in the medical fraternity in Singapore and in the region. He was the first Singaporean to be appointed Professor of Surgery at the then University of Malaya in 1955. Because of his contribution to medicine in Singapore, a Yeoh Ghim Seng Professorship in Surgery was instituted in his name by his former students and well-wishers. Dr Yeoh had not only won the respect of this House but also that of all Singaporeans. We send our deepest condolence to the family of the late Dr Yeoh. As for Dr Tay Eng Soon, his death came as a shock to me when I heard of it at Parliament Annexe on 5th August this year. Some of our MPs who were with me at the time were equally shocked and saddened by the news. Dr Tay was first elected to Parliament in 1980 in the constituency of River Valley. With the changes in the constituency boundaries, Dr Tay was supposed to contest in Tanglin in the 1988 General Elections. However, the call of duty demanded a last minute switch for him to lead the PAP team to contest in the Eunos GRC. Like any of our PAP's loyal and dedicated members, he stoutly took on the task. He knew that it was a tough fight but he took it in his stride. Dr Tay and his team won the 1988 General Elections in Eunos. They continued to toil the ground and improved the percentage of votes in 1991. Dr Tay made significant contributions in education, in particular, technical education. But Dr Tay's contribution was not just confined to education only. He held a number of other posts. He found time to serve in the PAP Community Foundation and the National Kidney Foundation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we are sojourners on this earth. No day is promised to any of us. For so long as we are on this earth, we try to make the best use of our time, in the best way that we could. Many of us would use that time for ourselves, for our families. That is to be expected. Some would simply waste it, but then that is their own look out, as it is their life. But there are some who not only make full use of their time and life for themselves and their families, they also give much of their time to others. They give to others more than they receive. Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng, our former Speaker, and Dr Tay Eng Soon, our former colleague, were two such rare individuals. Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng passed away on 3rd June this year, after a period of illness. Dr Yeoh was elected as MP for Joo Chiat in 1966, during the turbulent years of early independent Singapore. He had remained as a Member for Joo Chiat constituency until the 1988 General Elections. He retired after serving nearly 22 years for the nation. Within less than two years of being elected as an MP for Joo Chiat, Dr Yeoh was elected as Deputy Speaker in July 1968, and then as Speaker in January 1970, an appointment he held until January 1989. As our longest serving Speaker from 1970 to 1989, he guided Singapore through one of its most constructive phases of development. For those of us who were in this House when Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng was the Speaker, we fondly remember him as a Speaker who exercised his responsibility with fairness and firmness. He brought decorum, dignity and esteem to the office of Speaker. He had always been indulgent and patient with the Members.”
“Mr Speaker, we indeed have a long day. I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-Nine minutes to Seven o'clock pm to a date to be fixed.”
“Since there are only four of them, I will support them for a division.”
“Sir, in order for a division to be taken, it must have five Members of Parliament supporting the call for a division. Since Mr Chiam calls for a division, I suppose he will support it. I do not know whether his two other SDP colleagues would do the same thing.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Chia has filed a motion* and before he seeks the general assent of the House to debate this motion, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that the provisions of the Standing Orders be suspended to enable any Member, besides a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary, to speak for up to one hour to any question in Parliament under item 4 of the Order Paper today. *The motion reads as follows: That this House expresses its concern over the allegation by Dr Chee Soon Juan that his dismissal from NUS for alleged misuse of his research funds amounting to a sum of $226.00 was politically motivated, and seeks clarification from the Minister for Education of the actual facts that caused Dr Chee's dismissal. Sir, the reason is this. Under the Standing Orders, only Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries, including the mover of the motion, can speak up to one hour. The other Members cannot. I know that there is a keen interest on the Opposition Bench to speak on this subject and they may take more than the half-an-hour allowed. So that is why I am asking the general assent of the House to lift the Standing Orders to allow them to speak up to one hour.”
“Yes, Sir, with your indulgence. Sir, on the question of consultation, Mr Chiam was wrong to say that the PAP does not go around consulting. It is not the PAP that goes around appointing Members of the Select Committee. Parliament, at the beginning of every session, appoints a Committee of Selection. The Committee of Selection will then decide on the Members to sit on any Select Committee that is to be appointed. So it is not the PAP that is involved. Since we have Opposition parties in Parliament, it is only natural that, from time to time, it will have to include Members of the Opposition in the Select Committee. If not, they will say that all this is a PAP show. Now that we have included both of them, one has decided to opt out. Well, so be it. At least, we have made a point that we have not forgotten Mr Low of the Workers' Party. He is still in Parliament and there is also another party in Parliament, and he represents a segment of Singapore (Hougang people). Therefore, he should be in the Select Committee. But for some strange reasons, it is not a question of party loyalty, it is a question of what he believes in. It is not a question of freedom of choice either. By standing for election and coming into Parliament, you have undertaken to carry out all the duties that are assigned to you by Parliament. And when you are appointed to the Select Committee, it is the duty assigned to you by Parliament. Therefore, you ought not to opt out of it.”
“Mr Chiam See Tong: I am in it already! I do not think it is improper for him to ask to be not included in the Committee. As I said, I think it is a question of freedom of choice. So I do not think it would be fair to allege that because the Member for Hougang does not want to be in the Select Committee, he is irresponsible. Try him in other Committees. I am sure he will make a good job of it and he will prove that he is not really irresponsible. The other point I want to bring up is about his loyalty, ie, whether it is loyalty to his party or to his constituents. I think he should be loyal to both. Because without his party, he would not be a Member of Parliament in any event. His party supported him and, as a result, the constituents voted him, and he is their representative. I think his loyalty and duty, in fact, are to both his party as well as his constituents.”
“I can assure him that he has to try very, very hard to divide the Opposition and he will not succeed. On this principle of consultation, I notice that the Leader of the House has said that the PAP does not believe in consulting its Members before appointing them to any Select Committee. But I would certainly think that it would be better if each of the Members were asked first before he is put into certain Committees. They may have reasons of their own for not wanting to be in the Committee. If they are so obedient, as most PAP Members are, they may in fact in their heart reluctantly join in the Committee and not give of their best. Those people who are consulted and willingly accept the post will then certainly make a good job of it. I think it would be better if Members were consulted first. If not for anything else, I think it is out of sheer politeness. The other principle I want to point out is the freedom of choice. I think each Member should be given a freedom of choice whether or not he wants to be in any particular Committee and not be dragged into it. I notice the PAP's practice is not only applicable to selecting Members to Select Committees but in fact to most other matters concerning Members. For example, naming Members as delegates to go on a certain conference or seminar. The only time he knows he is selected is when he receives a notice with his name on it. Perhaps in this respect also, I think it would be better if Members were informed first. I do not know why Mr Wong should be so disappointed in Mr Low Thia Khiang not wanting to be in this Select Committee. There are 77 other PAP Members who can easily be selected. Anyone else can replace him. I do not see why he should be so disappointed. An hon. Member: Do you want to take his place?”
“He has from time to time said that he has no time to do that, but he took his duties seriously. He took his duties seriously as the unofficial Leader of the Opposition. So he attended the Select Committee meetings and took part in them. I have sat with Mr Chiam on many Select Committees and I know he has played an active part. I had also hoped that Mr Low would take the same attitude, but alas, he did not. Mr Low also quoted the example used in the British Parliament where before a Member is appointed to a Select Committee, the Whip is consulted. There is no Whip in the Workers' Party. Here, he is the only person. We have no such practice of consulting the Whip. We also have no such practice of consulting individual MPs, because we believe that every MP who is here takes his duties seriously. Therefore, whenever he is called upon to do so by the Committee of Selection, he will take part in the Select Committee. That is the assumption that we have always made on all our Members of Parliament, be he from the Opposition or from the Government Party. As the Chinese saying goes, you can bring an ox to the water, but you cannot force the ox to drink. So since Mr Low so strenuously objects to sitting in the Select Committee, we can express our disappointment that he is not taking his duties seriously, but we cannot force him to be in the Select Committee. But I hope that he would not take the same position again in future when he is appointed to any Select Committee. I hope that he would represent the people's interest and not that of his party. Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I do not know why the Leader of the House should drag my name into this short debate. I hope he is not trying to divide the Opposition.”
“Sir, I am really disappointed with the position taken by Mr Low Thia Khiang. When Parliament debated the Bill on 19th March 1993, he was present and all of us know his views. We all know his Party's views. It objected to the GST Bill. When the Minister for Finance named the members to the Select Committee he was present. He did not object to it. As he said just now, he would wish to go back and seek his Party's approval. I think he has got to ask himself: is he here to represent the people, the people of Hougang, or is he here to represent his Party's CEC? Does he really need to seek his Party's approval to serve in the Select Committee? Sir, Select Committees are part and parcel of the parliamentary process. It is part and parcel of Parliament. It is part and parcel of the debates, deliberations and proceedings we have here. It is not an appendage to Parliament. The Committees are set up to help in the deliberations of Parliament. They are very important and it is an important process of parliamentary democracy. I am therefore very disappointed that Mr Low decides not to serve in this Committee. He has given several reasons. One reason is that he has objected to the Bill and, therefore, he should not serve. Does it, therefore, mean that any Member who objects to a Bill can refuse to serve in the Select Committee? Of course, the Member may have his views about a particular Bill but that does not stop him from presenting those views even in the Select Committee. If he does not agree with the Select Committee's Report, there is again nothing to stop him from having a minority report in the Select Committee. I know Mr Chiam opposes many Bills. I also know that Mr Chiam was appointed by the Committee of Selection to serve on Select Committees.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I see that there is a continuing interest in this item and I also note that there are amendments to be made by a Member on this item. We still have another five more items on the Order Paper to go, in addition to a supplementary item which has come in late. In view of this, and since we do not have much time we ought to complete as much of the business as possible, I therefore propose that we end at item 4 today. We will come back tomorrow for the remaining items. I, therefore, beg to move, That the proceedings on the item under discussion and on items 3 and 4 on the Order Paper today be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That the proceedings on the item under discussion and on items 3 and 4 on the Order Paper today be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. RETIREMENT AGE BILL Debate resumed.”
“Once again, Sir, I thank you for your indulgence and patience in the last two weeks of sitting. Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty Minutes to Six o'clock pm. Table - COMPUTATION OF PRICE INCREASES USING 1990 PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE (PCE) DATA (Cols. 1645 - 1646) table - Mr Low Thia Khiang's Table 2, Correct Version of Table 2 (Cols. 1647 - 1648) table - COMPLIANCE COST OF GST/VAT (Cols. 1649 - 1650)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of all Members who have spoken, and most of whom have spoken, during the last nine days of the Budget debate and the Committee of Supply debate, I would like to thank you as well as your two Deputies for your patience and indulgence for so painstakingly and efficiently guided our debate. But before we adjourn, I would like to remind Members that tomorrow we have two more Bills, the Goods and Services Tax Bill and the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, and would urge them to come back tomorrow. Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Six Minutes to Five o'clock pm.”
“Our criteria are whether the persons concerned can contribute to the management of the community centre, whether they are dedicated and whether they are willing to serve the people. If they are, then we will appoint them. As to why Hougang Community Centre has been organising so many activities, this is an indication that the residents of Hougang are very supportive of the Community Centre. That is why the Community Centre has organised so many activities for them. Of course, if the residents wish to have new programmes in the Community Centre, and if the response is good, we will try to organise the programmes for them. 4.15 pm Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon( In Mandarin): Sir, I am very satisfied with the Minister's reply. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I will answer the questions on the People's Association. The PA now runs kindergarten classes in 60 community centres for more than 7,400 children and we do have classes in Tamil, although the majority of them are in English and Chinese or English and Malay, because of the number of students involved. Right now, we have in Chong Pang, for example, two Tamil classes for 71 children out of 270 children in Chong Pang Community Club; in Bedok, 36 children out of eight classes of 199 children. If there are enough children in a particular constituency which can form a class for Tamil language, we will do that provided we can find the space to do it. The main thing is that we must have enough children, enough demand. Otherwise, we will not be able to make it a viable class. On Mr Choo Wee Khiang's suggestion for tax exemption for all donations to the community centres, right now all the donations for building, for extending, for upgrading the community centres are tax exempt, provided the donors do not receive any particular benefit in return. We have taken up with the Finance Ministry to grant tax exemptions for all donations to the community centres and clubs. The Finance Ministry is studying this request. It is indeed these donations which make it possible for the community centres to be built and to be upgraded. Earlier on, Mr Low Thia Khiang asked about the upgrading of the community centre in Hougang. (In Mandarin) : Let me reply to Mr Low Thia Khiang in Mandarin. Mr Low asked whether the Hougang Community Centre will be upgraded. In fact, the Hougang Community Centre was already upgraded last year at a cost of $1,088,000. He also asked what were the criteria in our appointment of Management Committee members of community centres.”
“But how APEC develops will depend on what its members want for it, but we hope that all these processes will develop into a network of overlapping and multilateral political, security and economic dialogues and forums to engage all the Asia-Pacific countries, including the major powers. Mr Robert Chua asked for an update on our programmes of regional cooperation. I have briefly touched on that. But I would add that we have done as much as we could to take advantage of the policies of the various governments in the region to attract investors, to open up their markets for businessmen and so on, and to facilitate our businessmen into all these areas. I must thank Mr Robert Chua himself for taking the initiative in setting up a number of joint commissions with three Malaysian states like Johor, Pahang and, most recently, with Malacca. But Singapore businessmen could also take advantage of the various ASEAN business forums, where they could meet their counterparts and establish a network of contacts. And if there is a need to do more, we will be very pleased to hear other suggestions that Mr Chua has on them.”
“The major players I refer to are the United States, China, Japan, Russia and India. And that is needed to ensure a peaceful and stable environment. To achieve this, we need to have continuous dialogue and consultation among the regional countries in order to achieve a better understanding and to anticipate and resolve problems. Recognising this need, the Fourth ASEAN Summit held in Singapore last year authorised discussions on political and security matters with the dialogue countries at the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs). As a first step, all these issues were discussed and put on the agenda at our last ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila last year. This practice will continue at this PMC and AMM to be held in Singapore this year. Regional issues will also be included in the agenda of several ASEAN meetings with its dialogue partners, including Australia, Japan and the United States. In addition to this, as part of the regional confidence-building process, we have also developed consultative relationships with China and Russia. The accession of Vietnam and Laos to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation also opened the way to a new phase of relations between ASEAN and these two countries. A further step in implementing the decision of the Fourth ASEAN Summit is to have the PMC dialogue partners join in a discussion together with the senior officials to talk about regional security issues. So a meeting will be held among senior officials to discuss this some time this year before the PMC in July. All these processes represent an evolution in the pattern of relationships among the countries in the Asia-Pacific. We also have APEC which is principally an economic forum to promote economic cooperation among the Asia-Pacific economies.”
“Otherwise there will be civil war and there will be risk of conflict. There is no guarantee that even with the holding of general elections there will be peace, because, as I said, the problems are deep-seated among the factions. If the elections do not result in an effective government, then the premature withdrawal of the UN forces in Cambodia will leave behind many many problems. Those outside the government would choose to continue to destabilise the elected government and the country and this will in turn affect regional security. For more than 10 years, ASEAN has played a pivotal role in keeping Cambodia on the international agenda and in preventing the occupation of Cambodia from becoming a fait accompli. But can ASEAN do more? I think ASEAN, and Singapore in particular, with its limited resources can only do so much. It will require all the resources that we can muster from the international community and more than that, it will require the political will of the Cambodian parties to want to settle this decade-long dispute among themselves. Up to now, the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) is the largest peace-keeping commitment of the United Nations. Its success will be judged by whether Cambodia finds the peace and progress that has been denied it for more than a decade. On how ASEAN responds to the changing environment in the Asia-Pacific region and the role of the major powers, ASEAN as a whole has to respond in a realistic and pragmatic manner to the post-cold war period. In order for ASEAN to survive and prosper, it has to open its markets to foreign trade and investments, and we also need to have a predictable and constructive pattern of relationships in which all the major players can play a part.”
“On Dr Lau's request for an update on Pedra Branca, I informed this House that on 17th February 1992, we gave our set of documents to the Malaysian government. And on 29th June last year, the Malaysian government gave us their set of documents. We have just held our first round of consultations on 4th-6th February this year and we have agreed to hold another round of consultations some time towards the later part of this year. We hope that all these consultations will lead to an early and conclusive understanding that Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore. But despite this outstanding issue, I must say that it has not affected the good relations between Malaysia and Singapore. So let me lay to rest the concern of Dr Lau that this issue will affect our good bilateral relations. On whether Singapore and ASEAN will move the international community to solve the problem in Cambodia, let me say that the problem in Cambodia is a very complicated one. It has gone on for so long and finally with the Paris Agreements about one and a half years ago, although the UNTAC forces are there, I do not think a solution is yet in sight. From time to time, UN personnel have been detained and there are increasing incidents of violence, assassinations, harassment and all kinds of things being done by one political party against the other political party. Indeed, as Dr Lau said, one of the factions in the SNC, the Khmer Rouge, has decided not to take part in the general elections. And it will also not allow general elections to be held in the areas under its control. But the general elections will have to go on with or without the Khmer Rouge. UNTAC and the permanent members of the UN Security Council should do their utmost politically to persuade the Khmer Rouge to join in the peace process.”
“This Treaty of Amity and Cooperation is a unique diplomatic instrument not only because it establishes a code of conduct but also because it provides a mechanism for dispute settlement in the region. Apart from the six ASEAN countries, Vietnam, Laos and Papua New Guinea have also acceded to this Treaty. This Treaty could serve the broader interest of peace if all the states in the Asia-Pacific region also accede to it. 4.00 pm Singapore, together with the other ASEAN countries, has also obtained the United Nations' cognisance of this Treaty through a consensus resolution last year. This signifies the ASEAN commitment to the centrality of the UN's role in the maintenance of international peace and security, and in the peaceful resolution of conflict. Indeed, if there is any dispute at all, the dispute can only be settled if there is a political will to settle the dispute. This in turn depends on whether there is a climate of confidence and trust. It is for this reason that Singapore is committed to building up good relations with all the countries, in particular with our neighbours, and bilaterally through ASEAN, internationally, through UN organisations and the other multi-lateral organisations. It is this climate of trust that allowed the three littoral states of the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, to discuss and address the problems of navigation in the Straits of Malacca. To this end, there is this Tripartite Technical Experts Group comprising the three states which recently met in Kuala Lumpur to discuss ways of ensuring safety of navigation and control of pollution in the region. And we will play our part and indeed a very active part.”
“For example, in 1991, our Mission in Kuala Lumpur organised a Roundtable for Singapore businessmen to meet with the Prime Minister. And, similarly, our Jakarta Mission also organised a similar Roundtable in Jakarta together with the EDB in 1990, and another is being planned. I can go on and on to explain how our Missions have helped Singaporean businessmen overseas. But really the job of getting business overseas must be left with the businessmen. MFA officers are not businessmen. But on occasions, when they come to know of opportunities and if they know who are the right companies to get in touch with, they will try as best as they could to facilitate such contacts. So I would urge our businessmen not just to depend on MFA but to depend on their own resources in reaching out to these countries overseas and to help develop our second wing. On Dr Ho Tat Kin's question as to how Singapore helps to play a role in resolving regional disputes, I would say, firstly, Singapore plays a very active role, sometimes alone with the others and sometimes in the context of ASEAN. And I would say that in the context of ASEAN, we are, indeed, very fortunate to have enjoyed and benefited from a very stable and secure regional security environment. But, nevertheless, problems remain. As Dr Ho himself said, one such example is Cambodia, which I will elaborate a bit afterwards if there is time. The other issue is that of the Spratly Islands where many countries have claimed sovereignty and they have to find a way to resolve it. But last year, at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila, ASEAN took position by issuing a Declaration on the South China Sea. That Declaration spelt out a code of conduct based on the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.”
“The extent of our Mission's involvement in helping Singapore businessmen, firstly, has to depend on whether there is already an EDB or a TDB office. If there is one, and since the economic agency is there, then the primary task of helping our businessmen or attracting investors to Singapore must lie with the EDB or TDB. Secondly, it depends on the local condition. If the local economic condition is favourable and if the economy is active, then of course our people will be more active. And if it is not, let us say, the country is in a bit of difficulty, then economic relations will not be the priority. So just based on these alone, I will very quickly run through a few examples as to how our Missions overseas have helped our businessmen here, or have helped to establish contacts for our businessmen. In our Tokyo Mission, for example, we have always given information to Singapore businessmen wanting to do business in Japan, or helping Japanese businessmen to come over to Singapore. Our Bonn Mission, for example, has helped a Singapore company set up an Operational HQ in Munich. Our Canberra Mission has alerted one of our companies on the possibility of a joint venture with an Australian company to produce catamarans in the market. Our Jakarta Mission, for example, has helped Singapore and Indonesian companies to come up with an investment franchise in Batam and Bintan. Our Bonn Mission again has facilitated several joint ventures and commercial tie-ups including one between SISIR and a German company for a consultancy contract. These are just contacts which we have provided but we have also helped our businessmen and facilitate them to get in touch with high level political leadership.”
“Sir, I must first of all thank Mr Chia Shi Teck for complimenting our overseas Missions for doing such a good job in the political arena. But I am not sure that his remark that Singapore Missions overseas have not helped in Singapore's efforts towards getting more economic benefits from our active relations with other countries is a completely correct one. Our Mission's job is two-fold. Firstly, of course, as an organisation to find out political developments in other countries and to build and enhance relations with these countries with which we have good relations. Secondly, to help to attract foreign investors to come to Singapore and also to help our businessmen who are going overseas to trade, to do business, to invest in those countries and facilitate their activities. But with more Singaporeans travelling overseas and with more overseas visitors coming to Singapore, the work-load of the Singapore Missions definitely has increased tremendously. And we must know where our priorities lie. Being the Foreign Ministry, our priority must first be in the political relations. In other words, establishing good relations with the countries with which our Missions are present. I must also add that our ambassadors and officers who are in a particular Mission are not just accredited to the country where they are based. Because of our small size in the Ministry and because of the need to befriend and establish relations with as many countries as possible, our ambassadors in our Missions overseas are accredited to many other countries in the region where the Mission is based. But despite this lack of resources, I think we have done our best. Perhaps, I would just quote a few examples as to how our Missions overseas have helped businessmen.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the proceedings on the Estimates for FY 93/94, the Supply Bill for FY 93/94 and the Supplementary Supply Bill for FY 92/93 on 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th March, 1993, be continued beyond 4.30 pm and be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 until 5.00 pm on each day. This will allow more Members to speak since many of them have submitted their cuts. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the proceedings on the Estimates for FY 93/94, the Supply Bill for FY 93/94 and the Supplementary Supply Bill for FY 92/93 on 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th March, 1993, be continued beyond 4.30 pm and be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 until 5.00 pm on each day. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair]”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I propose that Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng be elected as a Deputy Speaker of this Parliament. Mr Eugene Yap has been in Parliament since 1979. I am confident that he will be a good deputy to you and will help you in the performance of your duties.”
“Go and look it up then. You are a lawyer. You would have a copy of this in your office. Section 10(2)(k) says the PA can: 'generally do all such other acts as may be necessary to achieve the objects of the Association.' So his question is, if that is the case, why do we need to amend the Act? Why not? Because we want to update section 10(2)(f). There is nothing wrong with that either. 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. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Clause 1 -”
“Sir, he is a lawyer. I am not a lawyer. Let us look at the old Act? Have you got a copy of the Act?”
“Sir, I have not heard of the PA insisting on all youth group leaders to be members of the PAP. But if they are willing to join the PAP, why not? Mr Chiam See Tong rose ---”
“Since 1960, the PA has changed, not just in the activities they run, but also in the institutions, clubs and the various organisations that it has been running. The PA has taken over the National Community Leadership Training Institute. So that is an Institute. It does not appear in the present section 10(2)(f). We also run the Outward Bound School. Again, that is going to be reflected in this present Bill. The reason why we are updating it is to make PA relevant, and to continue to run and organise courses, activities, programmes, institutes, bodies, or whatever, that will be consistent with PA's objectives. Surely, we are not going to run, say, a secondary school. That is not part of PA's objective. They are not going to run a company to make money. That is not PA's objective. So have no fear. We will run activities, programmes, institutes, bodies, whatever, that will be consistent with PA's objective. As I said, we will be careful with the management of funds. When the PA invests its money, it will try to get a good return. But we cannot assure ourselves that we will always make money or always get positive returns in all investments. But we will be very prudent in where we invest the funds.”
“Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir raised the point earlier on that PAP MPs do not support Government policies just because during the recent by-election they spoke dialects. That is why I am going to answer the question, unless he does not want to listen to my answer. Sir, speaking dialects at election rallies is not new. It has been done before, long ago, way back in the 1950s, and even after we had the "Speak Mandarin" campaign in 1980/81, we continued to have dialects spoken during rallies. I remember Dr Lee Siew Choh speaking in Cantonese. I heard him speaking in Cantonese. I remember Mr Low Thia Khiang speaking in Teochew. Therefore, dialects have been spoken in the past and they can be spoken in future rallies too. If the SDP thinks that by speaking dialects is a way of swaying people and they did not do it, then maybe they should try the next time. Mr Chiam again raised the point about the Sennett Community Centre that when he became the Member for Potong Pasir we took away the Sennett Community Centre. But I think he has forgotten that in place of the old Sennett Community Centre, we have built a new modern community centre in Potong Pasir, almost right next to his branch, whereas the Sennett Community Centre is quite far away in the old Sennett Estate. The Sennett Community Centre is not misused. It is being used by community workers, who are contributing to the cause of nation building, for their activities. There is nothing wrong with that. There is no breach of trust or faith or anything. I am not a lawyer. We are continuing to use the facility for community purposes. Mr Chiam also objects to the amendment in clause 4 and he says that we are giving too much power to the PA to run all kinds of things. I think he has not kept pace with time.”
“That is why I do not understand why he is so agitated because I am going to answer his question in due course. Sir, the PA runs activities for the benefit of all residents. I think there is no country in the world, as far as I know, that has community centres like what we have, offering a wide range of facilities for recreational, educational and social purposes. Whatever people want, that can be legally done, that can be beneficial to them, that can be of use to them, the PA will run these activities. The PA will, of course, carry out Government policies. That is why the Government set up the PA in the first instance to propagate Government policies. It is quite logical and rational, therefore, to have the PAP MPs, who are after all the people forming the Government, to be the advisors to the community centres. I think it is quite difficult to envisage an instance where Opposition MPs will, in their capacity as advisors to the community centres, help to carry out Government policies. After all, their job is to oppose the Government, as we have seen in many instances. So, the simple answer is that we do not see how Opposition MPs can help to carry out Government policies and, therefore, logically, we do not see how they could be appointed as advisors to the community centres. It is that simple. As to why the PAP MPs spoke dialects instead of Mandarin during the recent by-election --”
“I do not know why Mr Chiam is so agitated. I have not finished yet.”
“Sir, I thank the Members for their support of the People's Association (Amendment) Bill. I make no apology for the fact that the PA is a unique creation of the PAP Government. We had the foresight in 1960 to create the PA, to galvanise and mobilise the people to support Government policies. We will continue to do that so long as the PAP Government is in power. Sir, the PA is not a propaganda arm of the PAP. People who use the PA facilities know full well that no PAP activities are conducted in the PA's community centres. If that were the case, if the PAP were to conduct propaganda activities in the community centres then, as Mr Leong just pointed out, Opposition Members would not have sent their children to the PA's community centre's child-care centres. Mr Chiam See Tong rose ---”
“But PA will continue to organise smaller and separate meetings with the corporate members and conduct joint projects with them and regularly keep in close touch with the corporate members. Powers of the Board The present section 10 (2) (f) allows the PA Board to manage or run community centres, youth clubs, boys' clubs and girls' clubs. The amendment will enable the PA Board to manage or run clubs or institutes or such other bodies as the Board thinks fit and this will give the Board a great deal more flexibility. Adoption of Annual Report The existing section 12 requires the adoption of the PA's annual report at its annual general meeting. The section has to be amended now since there will be no more AGMs. The Bill also seeks to adopt with some minor modifications the model provision to be incorporated in an Act of Parliament establishing a body corporate recommended by the Attorney-General. Deposit of money The existing section 13 (1) only allows the PA and its approved committees to deposit money in banks in the name of the PA. The amendment seeks to allow the PA and its committees to deposit money in approved finance companies other than banks and to invest funds which are not immediately required for use in such securities which trustees may by any written law be authorised to invest trust moneys in. Sir, all these amendments have been presented to the PA's annual general meeting on 10th July last year and have been approved by the corporate members. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill has nothing to do with my portfolio as Foreign Minister, but I am moving it as the Deputy Chairman of the People's Association. Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The People's Association (PA) was established on 1st July 1960 with the primary objective of promoting racial harmony and social cohesion. The PA Act was enacted on 19th May 1960 and subsequently amended in 1963 and 1965. This Bill now seeks to amend the PA Act in five areas, namely, the election of corporate members to the Board, the holding of general meetings, the powers of the Board, the adoption of annual report and the deposit of money. Election of corporate members to the Board The People's Association Board now has 14 members comprising the Prime Minister as Chairman, nine appointed members and four elected members. Currently, the four elected members are elected from amongst the PA's corporate members at an annual general meeting. They hold office for only one year unless they are re-elected. The proposed amendment to section 6 of the Act will enable the elected members to hold office for three years. This will be consistent with the 3-year term of the appointed members and ensure continuity of the Board. Holding of general meetings The PA has 90 corporate members. They comprise organisations from different interests and professional groups. As it is now proposed that elected members hold office for three years, the general meetings for election of members need only take place once every three years. Hence section 8 of the Act is to be amended to provide for this.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think this sitting would have ended a few minutes earlier if Members had listened carefully to what the Minister has said, and they need not have to ask questions for which answers had already been given. On this note, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Half-past Five o'clock pm to a date to be fixed. Appendix I WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY 1.30 PM USE OF BLOCK 143, POTONG PASIR AVENUE 2, #01-214 17. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development why he allows part of the premises of the People's Action Party Community Foundation Education Centre at Block 143, Potong Pasir Avenue 2 to be used (i) as a branch office of the PAP; (ii) to hold Meet-the-People sessions; and (iii) as an election headquarters of the PAP candidate in 1991.”
“Before I move the adjournment, Sir, may I advise all Members present here to read up the Standing Orders before they rise on a point of order. Please be clear on what point of order to refer to, and not just say "point of order" and make a speech. In particular, I refer to Mr Chiam who has risen a couple of times on a point of order without really knowing what point of order he was talking about. Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty Minutes to Three o'clock pm to a date to be fixed. Appendix I WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY 1.30 PM HOSPITAL FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND RESTRUCTURED HOSPITALS 18. Mr Ling How Doong asked the Minister for Health what was the total amount of hospital fees and charges collected by the Government and restructured hospitals in 1990, 1991 and 1992 (up to June).”
“Point of order, Mr Speaker. I think Mr Chiam is asking a question about the PCF. The Minister for Education is not in charge of the PCF. He should direct his question to the PCF.”
“I have finished. Resolved, "That this Parliament, in accordance with section 1(1) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, resolves that there shall be nominated Members during the term of this Parliament." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Half Past Four o'clock pm to a date to be fixed. WRITTEN ANSWER TO QUESTION PRIMARY SCHOOL AT SERANGOON NORTH AVE 4 1. Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for Education what type of school is planned for the reserved site along Serangoon North Avenue 4 and when will the school be built.”
“In fact, after every general election, there has always been adequate notice for the next elections. And that is the basis for the PAP governing from year to year, from term to term, because after the general elections, we prepare for the next elections. After the last elections, the SDP should do the same thing and prepare for the next elections. Mr Low Thia Khiang: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thought it is out of order!”