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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“As members of a profession, they have professional opinions which carry more weight in those areas than yours or mine. But they should, indeed they must, not use their position to espouse opinions to lend the opinion extra credibility. This is the concern, especially when the word comes from the pulpit and carries a divine ring. Two weeks ago, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore held a forum to discuss this Bill. The next day the Straits Times published the comments of a pastor that disturbed me. The pastor was quoted as saying: "The Bill would curb one's constitutional freedom to proselytise as most religions held the view that others 'are false or not as true as the one being preached'". I am disturbed, Sir, that a religious leader can think that his constitutional right is curbed just because he is urged by the Government to be sensitive to assertive proselytisation. Article 15 of the Singapore Constitution indeed guarantees the right to profess and practise one's religion and to propagate it. But a reasonable interpretation of this clause in the context of Singapore must be that a propagator has to take into account the sensitivities of the other religious groups. In fact, the Constitution explicitly states three caveats which govern this freedom. One caveat is that the profession, practice or propagation of one's religion must not be contrary to any law relating to public order. Put in simple terms, one's freedom of action stops where one's neighbour's nose begins. As Dr Tay himself said earlier, freedom comes with responsibility. The White Paper has captured the spirit of the conditions necessary for religious harmony in Singapore best.”
“There obviously, Sir, needs to be a compromise but this is unlikely when the positions of the two sides have been taken to the extreme. Sir, I recall these two incidents to make three points. Firstly, when religion is the cause of a dispute, the tone of the debate loses all temperance and rationality. Each individual, each group, cannot accept anything other than the complete vindication for its side since divine is involved; indeed, in some cases, evoked. Secondly, the name of religion is often used to hide the real cause of a problem. In each of these two cases, you can find the underlying economic and social causes, racial bigotry and indeed remembered hurts from many years ago behind the disputes. Thirdly, the pronouncements by religious leaders or speeches in the name of the divine take on an authority beyond that of mortal man. The voice from the pulpit is a persuasive power. Whereas religious leaders are accepted as authorities in things holy, it is not entirely certain that they become authoritative in other matters as well. Mr Speaker, Sir, both the Archbishop of the Catholic church and the Mufti stated that there should be a clearer definition of politics as many areas on religion and politics overlap. I have no problem with their statements. In many ways it is so. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like, however, to make this distinction. A doctor, a lawyer or even a priest, may wish to hold a particular political opinion. That is their right to do so as citizens of a state. But these opinions are important only in so far as they are the opinions of a citizen. The opinion should not take on a greater weight just because he is a doctor, a lawyer or a priest.”
“The radical Christian supporters of Colonel Rabuka wanted the Methodist religion installed as the state religion. On several Sundays, Fijians manned street barricades stopping traffic, fire-bombing offices and sugar mills, attacking anyone found working on the Sabbath. Such is the face of intolerance when racial and religious bigotry got mixed up. People die, peace is broken and a paradise destroyed. The second case revolves around a mosque built more than 500 years ago in India. The Hindus believe that the site of the Babri Masjid in the northern Indian town of Ayodhya was the birthplace of the deity called Rama. The Muslims said that the Babri Masjid is the shrine to the Moghul Emperor Babar. The Hindus wanted to tear down the mosque to build a temple. 200 people lost their lives in bitter fighting. Thousands of Muslims and Hindus congregated near the site ready to kill one another. Hindu extremists used the temple issue as a rallying cry for rights for the majority Hindu population in India. They accused Mr Rajiv Gandhi's Congress Party of giving too many rights to the Muslims. The Muslims blamed the religious antagonism on Mr Gandhi. Criticisms against Mr Gandhi were levelled from the mosques during Friday prayers. Pakistan, India's Muslim neighbour, weighed in to support the Muslims. The case remains unresolved. Among the many reasons that accounted for the fall of Mr Gandhi's government was the dissatisfaction by both parties to settle the dispute in their favour. In particular, in the state of Uttar Pradesh where Ayodhya is, the Congress Party, which won 83 out of 85 seats in the 1984 elections, only managed to get 15 seats. Now, the new government in Delhi is in a no-win situation. The government cannot satisfy both and will end up satisfying neither.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill for the simple reason that I believe in the right of all Singaporeans to practise the religion of their choice and the need for a person's religion or his freedom not to have one to be respected and not interfered with by another person. These are the cardinal principles for which religious harmony in Singapore has been preserved and if we need a law to protect this, then let us have the law. Sir, although what I have just said may sound like truism to some, it is in fact the very danger that these principles may be violated that the Bill was moved. The recent events in Singapore have been well laid out in the White Paper, and the Minister for Home Affairs mentioned problems of religion versus religion, the problems of mixing politics and religions in several countries earlier on. Allow me, Sir, just to discuss the events in two of these countries during the last few years to share with you the threat to a community when religion and the pulpit were used to arouse feelings and ended with the cause of religion serving political ends. The first case took place on an island paradise that was once a model of social, political integration in the South Pacific. That island is Fiji. Its tourist promotion slogan was "The World As It Should Be". Pope John Paul, when he was there in 1986, proclaimed it as a symbol of hope in the world. He spoke seven months too soon. The takeover by a military man and Christian lay preacher, Colonel Rabuka, drew heavily on his religious supporters to kick out a democratically elected government. The seed of the problem in Fiji was racial which coincidentally also split along religious lines. Native Fijians against Indian immigrants. Christians against Hindus and Muslims. Mosques and temples were fire-bombed.”
“BILL INTRODUCED TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC BILL "for the establishment and incorporation of a Polytechnic to be known as Temasek Polytechnic and for purposes connected therewith", presented by the Minister for Education (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. SCHOOL BOARDS (INCORPORATION) BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, property owners who knowingly allow their premises to be used as illegal food manufacturing establishments will be prosecuted under the Environmental Public Health Act. The penalty on conviction for the first offence is a fine not exceeding $1,000; for the second and the subsequent offence, and if they are convicted, a fine of not exceeding $4,000 or to an imprisonment term of not more than three months, or maybe to both imprisonment and fine. So far, Sir, the licence of a food centre stallholder was revoked last month when it was found that she had obtained the food from an illegal source. MRT STATIONS (Adjacent bus interchanges) 7. Mr Chin Harn Tong asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) how many Mass Rapid Transit stations now have adjacent bus interchanges; and (b) whether there are other MRT stations which could have adjacent bus interchanges but do not have them, and, if so, why. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. Sir, presently, there are a total of 11 MRT stations with bus interchanges in their vicinity. They are: Pasir Ris, Tampines, Eunos, Clementi, Jurong East, Bukit Batok, Toa Payoh, Bedok, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun. Two more bus interchanges, one at Choa Chu Kang MRT Station and the other at Boon Lay MRT Station, are being constructed. Sir, MRTC is actively working together with HDB to identify new areas where bus interchanges are needed and can be built.”
“Sir, whatever was alleged in Kuala Lumpur has already been dealt with in Kuala Lumpur and it is not the Government's policy to comment on matters like this. PRICING OF PETROL 11. Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to ensure that the pricing of petrol will be fair and competitive as a result of deregulation.”
“Then the headline will be, "Mr Chiam denies that he has beaten his wife." Dr Lee Siew-Choh: I do not quite follow the logic of the Minister. But does he not agree, generally speaking, that silence in this particular instance could be interpreted as assent to what has been alleged in Kuala Lumpur?”
“I think the question by the Member is in the category of questions from journalists who may ask him, "Have you beaten your wife?" It is in the category of questions which some journalists may ask him whether or not he has beaten his wife.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the 'allegation' that Dr Lee referred to was made by a member of the opposition in the Malaysian Parliament. The Malaysian Government has responded to this in its Parliament. It would be improper and counter-productive for me to comment further. All governments must treat such subjects with sensitivity.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have had a very long day and I think we should also take a bit of time before we convene the next sitting. Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." -[Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Ten Minutes to Seven o'clock pm to a date to be fixed.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I move the adjournment, may I remind all Members to speak at the lectern when they make their speeches. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Half-past Five o'clock pm. ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS NOT REACHED BY 1.30 P.M. DEPLETED MEDISAVE ACCOUNTS 1. Dr S. Vasoo asked the Acting Minister for Health whether the number of people who have exhausted their Medisave whilst under medical treatment is on the increase; and what steps are being taken to assist them in their medical care.”
“These elements have been endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the international community at the United Nations. An international conference on Cambodia was held in Paris in August - September 1989. It failed only because Vietnam refused to accept two essential elements of a comprehensive political settlement: (a) effective power-sharing among the four Cambodian factions in an interim government; and (b) the participation of the UN in a comprehensive political settlement. The Cambodian problem was debated for the 11th time in the UN General Assembly this year from 15-16 November 1989. The ASEAN-sponsored Resolution on Cambodia calling for a comprehensive political settlement was co-sponsored by a record high of 79 member countries, half of the UN's membership. For the 10th year in a row, it received increased support, 124 votes in favour compared to 122 votes last year. The support for the ASEAN Resolution was a clear signal from the international community that it still holds Vietnam responsible for a satisfactory solution of the Cambodian problem. As I said earlier, after the adoption of the UN resolution, Singapore sincerely hopes that Vietnam will accept this decision of the UN in the right spirit. We have not set out to humiliate Vietnam. Instead, we have always tried to encourage it to heed the overwhelming voice of the international community. The time has now come for Vietnam to sit down and negotiate seriously with the Cambodian parties and other members of the Paris Conference for a compromise settlement that takes into account the interests of all parties, including Vietnam's. 1.30 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government's policy on Cambodia has been fully conveyed in many forums. The Prime Minister has given several press interviews on this subject only very recently. When I was in New York in October, I addressed both the Council on Foreign Relations and the United Nations General Assembly on the issue of Cambodia. I believe the Member has not read my speeches as they were published in the Straits Times, but I would be very pleased to give him two copies of my speeches afterwards. Singapore has a national interest in the satisfactory solution of the Cambodian problem. As a small state, Singapore has to stand up and vigorously defend any small state, including Cambodia, when it is invaded in violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law. At the same time, we also firmly believe in the right of self-determination for the Cambodian people. These are the fundamental premises upon which our Cambodian policy is based. Let me briefly state the key elements of Singapore's policy on Cambodia. Singapore firmly believes that the only way to bring about a durable peace to Cambodia and end the long suffering of the Cambodian people is through a comprehensive political settlement. Such a settlement should include, among others, the following elements: (a) the creation of an international control mechanism under the UN auspices to verify the total withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Cambodia; (b) the formation of an interim quadripartite government in Phnom Penh under Prince Norodom Sihanouk's effective leadership pending free and fair elections; (c) the holding of UN supervised elections to enable the Cambodian people to decide who should rule them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed.”
“Nevertheless, because of the close and friendly relations between Singapore and Thailand, the Government is studying the appeals made by the Royal Thai Government as well as from the various Thai organizations and their Singapore counterparts. We are considering a once and for all solution that will give all Thai and other offenders a last chance to leave without punishment. It would not be right to offer this only to Thai offenders. But, if we decide to grant such a final amnesty, then there can be no pleas for clemency after that. Therefore, a full effort must be made by all those who have made these appeals to reach out to their nationals because it will be absurd to have successive amnesties after each final amnesty. INCREASE IN POSTAGE RATES (Justification) 9. Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Communications and Information what is the justification for the recently announced increase in postage rates.”
“In this regard, my attention has been drawn to the fact that, like the Indian Government, the Thai Government has also acknowledged the right of Singapore to enact its own laws and that the Thai Government expects Thai nationals to abide by these laws when coming to Singapore. Their Deputy Interior Minister, Mr Wattana Assavahem, was quoted by the Nation as saying that their efforts on behalf of Somkid Kamjan "do not mean the government will help every Thai" found guilty of violating Singapore immigration rules and that although the Royal Thai Government was against the caning penalty, "Singapore has the right to implement any law it deems suitable and Thai workers must keep in mind what they will get if they violate Singapore laws". Sir, at this stage, the Singapore Government is unable to intervene in the case of Somkid as the matter is still before the courts. Mr Somkid Kamjan has filed an appeal against his sentence on 30th June. Somkid's case is different from the case of the nine Indian nationals who were granted clemency from the punishment of caning. The nine Indian nationals were granted clemency because they had been arrested and convicted before the repatriation exercise for Indian immigration offenders held from 8th to 20th May. Had they not been arrested, they could have been included in that repatriation exercise. Somkid was, however, arrested two and a half months after the end of the repatriation exercise for Thai overstayers and illegal immigrants. He, like the others arrested after such grace period and general amnesty, cannot claim that they were ignorant of the new law.”
“The Chairman of the Singapore GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on 7th July, in response to various Thai appeals, including an appeal by the Chairman of the Committee of Labour in the Thai House of Representatives. The Chairman of the GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs recommended that the Government give a final amnesty for all foreign illegal workers still in Singapore. His appeal has been conveyed to the Chairman of the Committee of Labour of the Thai House of Representatives by the Chairman of the GPC for Labour. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am confident that relations between Singapore and Thailand will not be damaged by the issue of Thai illegal workers. Bilateral relations between Singapore and Thailand are strong and very broad-based. It cannot be in the interest of either Thailand or Singapore to allow this issue to cast a dark cloud over our good relations. But, as I said in this House on 29th May on the subject of Indian nationals who were convicted under our amended Immigration laws, it is an established principle in international relations that friendly relations between nations must be based on mutual respect of each other's laws and legal systems and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. We respect and understand that other countries have different laws, punishments and legal procedures. Just as we expect our nationals when abroad, to observe and respect their laws, foreigners coming to Singapore must observe our laws even if these laws are different from the laws of their own home country. Caning has been a part of Singapore's criminal law system since the British days. Singapore citizens and other nationals, including Thai nationals, have been caned when they breached the law.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Government has received several appeals for clemency for Somkid Kamjan, a Thai worker who was arrested on 20th June 1989 and sentenced on 22nd June 1989 to three months' jail and three strokes of the cane for the offence of illegal entry. Members are aware that the Presidents of four Thai labour unions wrote a joint letter of appeal to the NTUC on 28th June. The Chairman of the Committee on Labour in the Thai House of Representatives wrote a letter to his Singapore counterpart on 30th June. On 5th July, the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Prapas Limpabandhu, was reported to have said that the Royal Thai Government will ask the Singapore Government to grant a second and final amnesty for illegal Thai immigrants in Singapore. On 4th July, the Thai Embassy sent a third party note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally requesting the Singapore Government for an amnesty for residual Thai illegal workers. In response to these appeals from Thailand, various Singapore organizations have also appealed to the Singapore Government. On 1st July, the President of the NTUC informed the Thai unions that in view of their appeal and the close relation- ship between the two organizations, the NTUC would appeal to the Singapore Government to grant a final amnesty for Somkid Kamjan and all other illegal workers in Singapore. He has also invited his Thai trade union counterparts to come down to Singapore and together with NTUC officials, visit worksites to urge Thai illegal workers to give themselves up. On 4th July, the NTUC President submitted this appeal for a final amnesty to the Minister for Law.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, for your indulgence and the time as well as to our Speaker who has spent the last two days listening to this debate. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-two Minutes to Six o'clock pm to a date to be fixed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before I move the adjournment, may I remind Members that when they address Members of the Frontbench, referring to the Ministers, will they please follow the Standing Orders and refer to them by their appointment and their designation; and that when they use the pronoun "you" in their speech, they are actually referring to the Speaker, to the Chair, and not to the Minister concerned. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Half-past Four o'clock pm. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ENGAGEMENT OF QUEEN'S COUNSELS BY GOVERNMENT 1. Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Law what expenditure has been incurred by the government in the engagement of Queen's Counsels for the government in appeals to the Privy Council over the years 1984 to 1988 showing separately, in each instance, the nature of the appeal and the amount paid.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Report of the Committee on Destitute Families has been considered by the Advisory Council on Family and Community Life. The Advisory Council accepted many of the recommendations of the Committee. The Council has completed its Report entitled "Towards Better Family and Community Life". My Ministry is now obtaining the views of the respective Ministries and organizations on the recommendations. The Report with their comments will then be submitted to the Government for approval. My Ministry will announce the Government's decision later. In deciding on how destitute families can be helped, we have to ensure that there is no departure from the Government's policy on welfare assistance. Some countries which have gone the way of the welfare state are now trying to get out of it. We must not follow their example. Self-help and help from the community must form two basic pillars of our welfare policies. Any help for the destitute should enable them to upgrade themselves so that they can be self-sufficient in the long term. Financial help, if any, should be temporary and should not lead to dependency. It should be part of a social assistance package that should involve referral to social agencies for counselling in areas like family planning, home and child management and upgrading of skills. MANPOWER PLANNING 13. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether our manpower planning met actual needs in 1988 and will meet those in the coming years.”
“Unfortunately, even though these "barbaric" laws have been on our books for decades, Singapore continues to be a magnet for nationals of other countries who are prepared to take great risks to get into Singapore in order to work illegally. We hope that with the recent publicity over these illegal workers, widespread knowledge of this "barbaric" punishment will deter foreign nationals from coming to Singapore to work illegally. Some Indian officials have also expressed concern that caning would have an adverse effect on bilateral relations because in India caning is no longer meted out in their courts. We hope that it will not. It is an established principle in international relations that friendly relations between nations must be based on mutual respect of each other's laws and legal systems and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. We respect and understand that other countries have different laws, punishments and legal procedures. We expect our nationals, when abroad, to observe and respect their laws. Likewise, foreigners who come to Singapore must observe our laws, even if these are different from the laws of their home country. Caning has been a part of Singapore's criminal law since British days. Singapore citizens and other nationals, including Indian nationals, have been caned when they have breached the law. Both Singapore and India share many common interests. It will not do any good to anyone to make the system of punishment for crimes in Singapore into an issue. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DESTITUTE FAMILIES (Government's response) 12. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Community Development what is the Government's response to the Report of the Committee on Destitute Families.”
“For example, in 1987, 602 prisoners were caned, of whom 487 were Singapore nationals and 115 were non-nationals, among whom were 1 Indian, 1 Chinese and 11 Thai nationals. In 1988, 616 prisoners were caned, of whom 497 were Singapore nationals and 119 were not. 2 Taiwanese, 4 Pakistanis and 12 Thai nationals were among them. The caning of foreign nationals who violated our laws is not new. The recent arrests, convictions and sentencing of Indian overstayers were made under the Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1989. The Singapore and the Indian authorities have worked together to resolve the issue amicably. At the request of the Indian authorities, Singapore granted the Indian High Commission in Singapore a two-week period ending 19th May to repatriate its overstayers. Even though these Indian overstayers were the responsibility of the Indian High Commission, the Singapore authorities made every effort to assist it in the repatriation exercise. All the overstayers who reported to the Indian High Commission were provided free accommodation at Jalan Bahar Camp. The Singapore Government provided electricity and water supplies to the camp. Indian officials have expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Singapore authorities. Singapore made a major concession by agreeing not to prosecute all those Indian overstayers who surrendered themselves during this exercise. However, for those who have already been charged, or already convicted, and are appealing, the law has to take its course. The Government cannot intervene in cases which are before the courts. We are aware that some Indian officials have described caning as a "barbaric" punishment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, bilateral relations between Singapore and India are good. In the past few years, our bilateral relations have been strengthened based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Singapore has long had a problem with illegal immigrants. Given Singapore's size and scarce resources, we have no choice but to take tough measures to curb the number of illegal immigrants in Singapore. As there was no effective means to deter the increase in the number of illegal immigrants and overstayers, the Immigration Act was amended this year to provide for stronger punishment against them. The new amendment to the Immigration Act was debated in Parliament on 26th January this year. The Immigration (Amendment) Act came into effect on 31st March 1989. The law applies to all foreigners irrespective of nationality and the new penalties apply to those who enter Singapore illegally or overstay for more than 90 days. The amended Immigration law provides for caning of illegal immigrants and overstayers. Caning is a deterrent punishment provided for in several of Singapore's laws. For example, the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Penal Code and the Vandalism Act provide caning for offences like trafficking in controlled drugs, robbery and vandalism. I have asked the Clerk to distribute a table (Cols. 227 - 230) showing the details of some of the offences which attract caning. table - EXAMPLES OF MANDATORY MINIMUM CANING PROVISIONS FOUND IN OUR STATUTES (Cols. 227 - 230) Sentencing comes under the domain of our courts and will have to be carried out by due process of law.”
“Chandra Das asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence whether there is a trilateral defence relationship involving Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and,if so, what are the details.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears on item 11 in the Order Paper. *The motion reads as follows: That, pursuant to Article 42 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, with effect from 1st April, 1989, each Deputy Speaker shall be paid a basic allowance of $1,800 per month and all such monthly variable component, 13th-month non-pensionable annual allowance and non-pensionable variable bonus as would be payable to office-holding Members of Parliament. Clause 3, Article 42, of the Singapore Constitution also provides that a Deputy Speaker shall be paid such salary or allowance as Parliament may from time to time determine. The Deputy Speakers are now receiving a basic allowance of $1,500 per month. With the revision of salaries and allowances for the Speaker, office-holders and other statutory appointments and MPs, it is proposed that our two Deputy Speakers should also have their allowances revised to $1,800 per month. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. That, pursuant to Article 42 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, with effect from 1st April, 1989, each Deputy Speaker shall be paid a basic allowance of $1,800 per month and all such monthly variable component, 13th-month non-pensionable annual allowance and non-pensionable variable bonus as would be payable to office-holding Members of Parliament. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty- Six Minutes past Six o'clock pm to a date to be fixed. WRITTEN ANSWER TO QUESTION TRILATERAL DEFENCE RELATIONSHIP 1. Mr S.”
“Since becoming Speaker, in addition to presiding at our proceedings when Parliament is in session, you have been spending most of your afternoons every week in your office in Parliament dealing with parliamentary matters. It is therefore proposed that your salary, Sir, be a basic salary of $11,240 per month since you are a part-time Speaker. The House was also informed by the First Deputy Prime Minister that the President, Chief Justice, Chairman, PSC and the Attorney-General will receive a fixed bonus or service bonus of two months instead of a performance bonus. The First Deputy Prime Minister also said this fixed service bonus of two months will apply to the Speaker. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That, pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, with effect from 1st April, 1989, the Speaker shall be paid - (a) a basic salary of $28,100 per month ($11,240 per month on part-time appointment); (b) all such monthly variable component, 13th-month non-pensionable annual allowance and non-pensionable variable bonus as would be payable to office-holding Members of Parliament; and (c) a non-pensionable annual fixed service bonus computed on the basis of two months' basic salary and the monthly variable component. REMUNERATION OF A DEPUTY SPEAKER”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is my pleasant duty to move this motion* standing in my name as it appears in item 10 of the Order Paper. *The motion reads as follows: That, pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, with effect from 1st April, 1989, the Speaker shall be paid -- (a) a basic salary of $28,100 per month ($11,240 per month on part-time appointment); (b) all such monthly variable component, 13th-month non-pensionable annual allowance and non-pensionable variable bonus as would be payable to office-holding Members of Parliament; and (c) a non-pensionable annual fixed service bonus computed on the basis of two months' basic salary and the monthly variable component. Article 41 of the Singapore Constitution states that the Speaker shall be paid such salary as Parliament may from time to time determine. The salary of the Speaker was last determined by the House at $17,400 per month with effect from 1st November 1982 by resolution of this House passed on 3rd December 1982. As the then Speaker was only performing duties on a part-time basis, the House then fixed his salary at $9,500 per month. On 23rd March, 1989 the First Deputy Prime Minister announced the revision of salaries and allowances of office-holders, Members ofParliament and other statutory appointments, namely, the President, the Chief Justice, Speaker, Chairman, PSC and the Attorney-General. Parliament needs to pass a resolution on the salary of the Speaker to put it into effect. Sir, you are also performing your duties part-time and you prefer to continue to do so and to manage your business as well.”
“They also understand that every government has a right to introduce laws to deal with the specific problems of the country. We have done so in this particular Bill to deal with a problem, and that problem will continue to grow in time if we do nothing about it. Our relationship will continue to grow with Malaysia because we continue to encourage our businessmen to invest in Malaysia. We have joint projects to develop the tourism potential in Johor. And we have also improved our links with many of the Malaysian leaders. So let me assure this House that this Bill will not affect the bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia.”
“Sensitive to the fact that a Bill like this may be misunderstood by the Malaysians, whether the leadership in the government or the people, during the last few months when there were Ministerial visits between Malaysian Ministers coming to Singapore or Singapore Ministers going to Malaysia, we have taken the opportunity to explain our intent, so that when we introduce a Bill like this in Parliament, it will not be misunderstood. When the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Encik Ghaffar Baba, came here with his colleague, the Housing and Local Government Minister, Mr Ng Cheng Kiat, our First Deputy Prime Minister took the opportunity to explain to both of them why and when we are introducing this Bill. The First Deputy Prime Minister also explained the intent of the Bill to the Mentri Besar of Johor because Johor will be the most affected state when this Bill is introduced. When Minister Rafidah came to Singapore a couple of months ago on a visit programme, she met the Minister for Trade and Industry, BG Lee. On that occasion, the Minister for Trade and Industry also explained our purpose of introducing this Bill. When the Education Minister, Encik Anwar Ibrahim, came, the purpose of introducing the Bill was also explained. When there was a comment heard by our High Commissioner from the Defence Minister in Kuala Lumpur, our High Commissioner also took pains to explain to the Minister why we are introducing a Bill like this. Sir, we are fully aware of the effect on bilateral relations this Bill will have between Singapore and Malaysia. Therefore, we are not so stupid as to do something to hurt this relationship that we have built up. All these Malaysia Ministers have expressed an understanding as to why we are doing this. They understand.”
“Sir, some Members have expressed concern about the effects of this Bill on our bilateral relations with Malaysia. I would like to address this concern. The Government is not about to do something that will affect bilateral relations with Malaysia. Our relations with Malaysia have not been warmer or better now than in the past. People, I think, should give us credit for working out a scheme or a Bill like this to deal with a specific problem, and, at the same time, preserve the relationship that we have established so painstakingly over the last so many years. What is our problem? Our problem is the car population and how to regulate the usage of cars in Singapore. Today, the differential in petrol price between Singapore and Malaysiamay be 30%. But if and when we use petrol duty as an instrument to regulate car usage, that differential will widen. And as the Singapore Dollar/Malaysian Ringgit exchange rate also widens, that differential will be wider still. Therefore, the price difference of petrol between Singapore and Malaysia will be much wider than what it is now. and if we allow it to continue, it would definitely defeat a policy that we want to establish, ie, the control of our car population. Sir, our relationship with Malaysia must be seen in a wider context. It is not just narrowly based, and on one issue. Our relationship is much broader based, wider in scope. Singaporeans have had business dealings with their Malaysian counterparts for years. Singaporeans have relatives in Malaysia and there are other forms of contacts. Politicians and Ministers have exchanged visits also over the last few years.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Parliament has sat for almost two and a half weeks and we all have a very long session and definitely look forward to ending the day. Therefore, the remaining items on the Order Paper would be taken up next week. Before I move my motion to adjourn Parliament, may I, on behalf of the Members, thank you for your patience and indulgence in sitting through this long session. [Applause].”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of this House to move that the proceedings on a Ministerial Statement today be continued beyond 1.30 pm?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the First Deputy Prime Minister will be making a Ministerial Statement and he is on the way here. May I seek your consent to have a short suspension because I think he is held up in a traffic jam.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move that the proceedings on the business of Supply today be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No. 87 to enable a Member to speak more than 10 minutes at any one time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1989/90, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Yes, I thank him, of course. I would just leave my Minister of State, Mr Chng, to reply to the other points.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I know that Dr Tan Cheng Bock did not expect me to reply. Perhaps I would like to say that in his valedictory speech, not swan song, he has made known the work of the Feedback Unit. Indeed, as a result of his dedication, his commitment and his efforts and those of the panel members, the Feedback Unit has gained a lot of support from the public. They have worked very hard in building the Feedback Unit. The Feedback Unit has benefited a lot from his advice and they have helped to improve the rapport between the Government and the people. Despite the passing of the baton to a new Chairman and perhaps to a different personality, I have no doubt that the Feedback Unit will receive guidance and support from the new Chairman in the execution of the duties and they will continue to actively seek the views of the people in carrying out their role. The First Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Goh Chok Tong): You should thank him.”
“There have been many studies done by private organizations, by the Council of Social Services and lately by the Advisory Council's Committee on Destitute Families about what is the minimum amount of expenditure that is needed. The Government can only depend on one source and that is the source of the Chief Statistician. If there is any query on the basis of the calculation, we will ask the Chief Statistician to look at the basis of the calculation and to do a review when the time comes. But the Government can only depend on one source.”
“PWD by itself has also set up a walk-way unit to oversee the implementation of the long term walk-way redevelopment programme. They will take into account the needs of the disabled. As regards Mr Loh Meng See's question and also Dr Lee Siew-Choh's question that the PA grants in the budget have not increased, let me assure them that the PA grants have actually increased. For example, 1982, we spent about $3.7 million on 3,259 PA recipients and in the year 1987 there were 2,960 recipients and the Government gave out $3.4 million and for the year 1988 there were only 2,880 recipients and the Government gave out $4.15 million. The question may naturally arise as to how come PA recipients declined in number. The reason is really very simple - it is because 90% of the PA recipients are 60 years old and above. 90% of them are in single-person households and 6% of them are in two-person households and the rest of them are with family with children. The amount of money given out in 1988 has increased as a result of the study that we made. We said that every two years we will do a review of the PA rates and we have carried this out in 1986 and in 1988. In 1986, after the review in 1984, we found that there was no substantial increase in the cost of living because inflation was low. In 1988 we decided to make an adjustment. We will do a review again in 1990. Means test is necessary, Sir, to ensure that only those who are deserving receive public assistance. If not, we will definitely create a dependency mentality. I can assure Dr Lee Siew-Choh that if we have no means test and we do give, as he suggests, $872 for a man with three children, and $674 for a widow with three children, then I can assure him that there will be many people who would not want to work.”
“Sir, I go straight to the clarifications that Mr Chay Wai Chuen asked. He asked for three clarifications. One is on converting short term leases to long term leases and building purpose-built homes if conversion is not possible. I would say, yes, we have taken up the cases of these organizations which are currently on short term leases to help them to convert into long term leases and the appropriate authorities are definitely giving serious consideration to all of them. If conversion is not possible we will also try to help them to build purpose-built homes. As regards the capital grants and recurrent cost for such homes to operate, I would say that my Ministry and the Ministry of Finance are working out a scheme to provide a subvention to these organizations through the Community Chest, but of course we have to examine each case on its own merit. We just cannot say, "Here is $X for you to carry on with your operation". We would have to examine each case on its own merits and I can assure the Member that we will be as compassionate as possible. As for Mr Lau Ping Sum's question on the disabled's accessibility and employment, the Council of Social Service actually has started a production sheltered workshop as well as a job placement and vocational assessment centre in Joo Chiat to help these disabled people. The Ministry of National Development has decided to expeditiously introduce an accessibility code to provide for a barrier-free environment. This code is targetted to be introduced some time in the middle of this year. The Ministry of National Development has also formed a Committee to coordinate the efforts of the URA, the HDB, the PWD, Parks and Recreation Department in providing a comprehensive barrier-free environment for the disabled.”
“But among these 23,000 families, between 900 and 13,000 families are actually considered as facing problems of destitution. My Council will earnestly look into their suggestions. As to how to attract more Singaporeans to get involved in community service, we have on many occassions and through activities, launched recruitment drives to attract more people to get involved and to spare some of their valuable time in serving the people. What we can do is only to talk them into giving some of their time to serve in community organizations. As for those people who spend much of their time in promoting religious activities, we can only encourage them not to devote all their time on religious organizations but to re-direct some of their time to other community organizations so that they may have a better understanding of the workings of other organizations and the life and problems of other people in Singapore.”
“At the same time we also hold seminars, forums for people to explain and understand the cultures of our major races - Chinese, Malay and Indian - their religious customs and tradition, etc. The second strategy is to identify those values which are regarded as obstacles in the way of community cohesion. Such work is being carried out through three organizations. They are the Social and Psychological Advisory Council, Total Defence Working Committee and the Social Defence Committee under the Ministry of Community Development. The Family Life Committee set up by the Family and Community Advisory Council has suggested five core values which parents should also inculcate in their children. In order to inculcate these core values among Singaporeans, we must have a set of comprehensive and detailed action plans. We have to start from our younger generation, from pre-school, kindergarten and school, and through teachers and parents who must set a good examples to the younger generation, from the home to the community. Grassroots organizations like the RCs, CCCs, CCMC, Civil Defence Coordinating Committees and other civic organizations should also promote these activities and cultivate a community spirit among the people and strengthen communication between the people and the Government. They have played a significant role in the promotion of racial harmony and social cohesion. The Community Life Committee has also made some suggestions for implementation by the grassroots organizations so as to further enhance racial harmony and social cohesion. The Advisory Council may consider accepting these suggestions. Mrs Yu-Foo has also brought up a point in the report of the Committee on the Destitute which states that there are about 23,000 families faced with problems of destitution.”
“For example, the Salvation Army will take over the new complex that is being built by MCD in Yio Chu Kang to set up a home for children and young persons. The Muhammadiyah Society also plans to set up a home for Muslim children and the Tai Phua Kuan Moral Society also plans to operate a home for the intellectually disabled. As for training of volunteers, the Council of Social Service actually does conduct such training for volunteers and, if necessary, my Ministry will be pleased to help train such volunteers. My Ministry, whenever possible, also consults the voluntary welfare organizations as regards the kind of plans that we have, and we consult them also with regard to the kind of problems that they have, and we try to find ways to help them with their problems. We try to do as much as we can in the process of consultation. As for Mrs Yu-Foo's comments about the six core values that I mentioned in the last debate, she is pleased to note that many activities have been carried out by the grassroots organizations. I must report that the Ministry has been very active in promoting these six core values. Perhaps I should speak in Mandarin to respond to the Member. (In Mandarin) Our Ministry has been actively promoting the six core values. We do so by a two-pronged approach. One is the development of specific plans of activities to promote the six core values so that they can be better inculcated into the society. In fact, we will continually carry out these activities until such a time when all Singaporeans are able to better understand the various customs and cultures of the others. For example, we hold a community week every year.”
“But MCD does have, from time to time, philanthropists who are willing to contribute to charity and to social purposes, and we will help them to disburse such funds to deserving projects and community organizations. But in addition to this kind of one-time help from philanthropists and charity organizations, the Government on its part has also provided many forms of assistance, for example, nominal rental, capital grants, per capita grants, block grants, and so on. Moreover, Government also gives them very cheap rental on government properties which are not being used by the Government, and also a waiver of developmental charges on properties that they need to develop. The clients of these voluntary welfare organizations, if they qualify, also receive free medical benefits from the hospitals when they visit the hospitals. For the voluntary organzations which find difficulty in raising money to fund their activities, I would suggest that they join the Community Chest. Because the Community Chest is an umbrella or a large fund-raising organization to help fund the activities of these organizations, I have sometime ago appealed to Members of this House to also take part in the SHARE Programme of the Community Chest. I hope more Members will respond to this so that its Community Chest is able to raise more money to fund their activities. Dr Koh's suggestion about providing funds to charity or welfare organizations that help to run some of Government's activities - this idea actually has been explored and the example quoted by Dr Koh is already implemented. We are going to work with three other organizations to help run homes for the children, for youths and for the intellectually disabled.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, Dr Vasoo asked what sort of support we give to the grassroots organizations and the voluntary welfare organizations to help them carry out their activities which we want them to do. May I say that the grassroots organizations have all along been doing very good work with their advisors' assistance and with the dedication of the community leaders. They have always carried out their activities with their own funding either by organizing trade fairs, collecting newspapers or other f und-raising activities. In that regard they have done excellent work. Over the years they have been able to give out many scholarships, bursaries and financial assistance to the needy as well as subsidizing many of the activities for the residents. We also want more of our grassroots organizations to carry out more activities. But in order to help them do this more effectively, the Government feels that one way would be to give them some form of financial assistance. As to what form this financial assistance will take and how the moneywould be disbursed, the details are still being worked out. The Government has decided, in principle, to allocate $1 million a year to help these organizations to carry out some of the activities which the advisors want them to do. This $1 million will be used at the discretion of the advisors of the grassroots organizations. Once we have worked out the details, we shall keep the advisors informed and they can apply for the money. On the voluntary welfare organizations, they receive financial assistance from the Government if they have a case. For example, last year the Government disbursed $3.2 million to assist such welfare organizations. Of course, there is no fund being set aside to carry out activities.”
“In any case, there are two libraries which are quite close to Potong Pasir. I think they are within 1.6 km from Potong Pasir and one is in Toa Payoh and the other is in Geylang East. Of course, people will need to make some effort to go to the libraries and they cannot expect to have a library right next to their doorstep.”
“On the recommendations of the Sports and Recreation Advisory Council, the Singapore Sports Council will be monitoring the recommendations and help to implement them as and when they can be implemented. The Advisory Council on the Aged, Sir, has recommended a national council on ageing to coordinate the activities of the various agencies involved in providing programmes and resources for the aged and to receive feedback from the aged and their families. But there is also another committee under the Family and Community Life Advisory Council which recommended the establishment of a national council on the family. My Ministry will be considering the merger of these two national councils so that we can have a better coordination of the work of the two councils. The Member for Potong Pasir, Mr Chiam, raised the question about his role in the community centre and whether he should be appointed as an adviser. My colleague, the Minister for Labour, will deal with this as the Deputy Chairman of PA. But let me add one point about his role as Town Council Chairman. He has been elected by the people precisely to run the Town Council. Whether he wants it to be a political organization or not it is entirely up to him. He can appoint his SDP members to serve in the Town Council or he can appoint one of them to serve or he can appoint none to serve. He is entirely free to run the Town Council as he pleases because what the Town Council envisages is that the MP must have the responsibility for the running of the Town Council. On his comments about libraries in Potong Pasir or no libraries at all in Potong Pasir and he has quoted what the UK Minister for Education had said. I would like to say that Singapore is not the UK. We are a very different society.”
“The Government has accepted all the recommendations of the Advisory Council, except the recommendation to set up health screening and medical counselling centres in every Constituency and the recommendation to set up day-hospitals for the senile demented. The Government feels that the demand for health screening and medical counselling does not at present justify the need to set up centres in each and every constituency. It will be enough for health screening and medical counselling to be made available at senior citizens' health care centres of the Home Nursing Foundation and at community centres' health screening centres. On day-hospitals, the Ministry of Health's view is that the care of the aged suffering from senile dementia is best managed at home or in a community-based setting. For those whose behaviour is particularly difficult to manage, institutionalization in nursing homes is the only solution and not in day hospitals, as recommended by the Council. As to how we are going to implement these Council's recommendations, Sir, my Ministry will coordinate the implementation of all the recommendations that have been accepted by the Government. In fact, some of the recommendations have been implemented. For example, the Government has increased the per capita grant for special education from $1,500 to $3,000 per annum per child. The tax reliefs for disabled dependant or for an aged dependant will increase from $750 and $1,000 to $2,500. These new tax reliefs are more than what the Advisory Council's has recommended. This shows the Government's strong support to families to help themselves by keeping their disabled and the aged dependants.”