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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“He is trying to deceive us that Socialist International is a country. That is a deception.”
“Perhaps the Member for Anson would like to tell me where is this country called Socialist International? I studied Geography but I have not come across such a country.”
“Tell me which country has held Singapore in contempt?”
“I do not know which country has held us in contempt. Does he know? He said he knows.”
“There was an article just about two or three weeks ago in the Time Magazine which shows that you can give out free newspapers, journals, to thousands of people without collecting a cent. We have an example in Singapore, called the Weekend East. Those who live in the eastern sector of Singapore get a copy of the Weekend East free. How is it that they can do it free? Because they get advertisements. That is why they can give it out free. So newspapers are commercial organizations. They are not here to do us charity. For those publications I mentioned yesterday, Asiaweek, Far Eastern Economic Review, Asian Wall Street Journal, one copy out of seven of their total sales is sold in Singapore. Can they not, and will they not, hope to increase their circulation by writing more about local issues? If they do, do they have the free licence to do so, and impose or set the standard of press freedom, as we used to know in the Western world, on Singapore? I do not think so. Let me show afterwards what sort of press freedom there is in the West, what are the problems and issues that have caused people in the West with the kind of Western standard of journalism. The Member for Fengshan also said that we will only act against such a publication if it consistently attempts to manipulate and influence our people in local politics. We are not talking about one or two articles. We are talking about the consistency in the pattern of reporting. The experience of the Member for Kampong Kembangan shows that even in the Western world like the United States where press freedom and the First Amendment of the Constitution is in force, he as a journalist cannot just get in there and write anything he wants. Now, the Member for Anson. Yesterday he said that countries have held us in contempt.”
“Sir, I must thank the various PAP Members for speaking on the Bill and supporting it. The Member for Bukit Timah talked about computer technology, satellite and he mentioned a new thing called computer bulletin board, and he asked whether the Member for Anson knows that with such a kind of technology we just cannot shut Singapore out from the rest of the world. But I am afraid his words are lost like water on a duck's back. I do not think the Member for Anson really understands this kind of technology. If he does, he would not say that we are shutting Singaporeans out. The purpose of this Bill, as I have said, is to restrict the circulation. The Bill is not to ban a publication. Singaporeans still can read the limited number of copies that are allowed in Singapore. They will be found in public libraries. So long as one person has access to it, anybody else can get a copy of it. It is quite simple, really, in this world of the photocopier. So let us be very clear about this. We are not shutting Singaporeans out from the rest of the world. It is not possible. Singaporeans travel. Thousands of them travel. Thousands of foreigners come here. Thousands of them work here. So it is not possible to shut Singapore out. This is just one of the deceptions of the Member for Anson, which I will talk about later. Newspapers are commercial organizations and that is why they have a profit motive. They are not a charity. They are not here to just tell the world or to tell Singaporeans about what is happening in the world at their own cost. No. They can even circulate the copies free of charge and yet be able to make money out of it so long as they get a wide circulation.”
“In the earlier statement he made, Sir, he missed out a very critical word, ie, press freedom. He said "impose its own ideas of freedom" which is quite different from "its own ideas of press freedom." I think the Member does not understand.”
“Can the Member please quote the whole section or the whole statement that I made about this point?”
“Point of order, Mr Speaker. If the Member wants to quote me, he should quote it correctly, especially the last one.”
“Point of order, Mr Speaker, Sir. He says I was lying. Can he prove it?”
“Mr Jeyaretnam: It looks from the response from the Government benches that there is going to be no opposition to this Bill. Everybody will put their hands on their hearts and swear "Aye". An hon. Member: What is wrong with that?”
“Our environment, in fact, is so congenial that there are 82 foreign correspondents and representatives working and living in Singapore. They represent 65 news agencies, news magazines, newspapers and broadcasting stations. They are free to report on Singapore. But we expect them to report events, government decisions and policies objectively and accurately and not to resort to distortions just because they do not agree with us. Sir, let me now touch on the main features of this Bill. Under section 18A(1), the Minister will be empowered, by order published in the Gazette, to declare a foreign publication as engaging in the domestic politics of Singapore. The Minister will exercise this power reasonably and in good faith and on proper grounds. The declaration of a foreign publication is not a matter to be entered into lightly. There need not be any fear that the Minister is given such a discretion to act. The sale or distribution in Singapore of a foreign publication so declared will be restricted to a specified number of copies under section 18A(4). A person found with more than five unauthorized copies will be deemed to have possessed them for sale or distribution under section 18A(6). Reproduction for sale or distribution will be an offence under section 18B. Copies that are allowed in can be freely circulated or passed around. Sections 18C and D deal with persons or parcels that come into Singapore. The sections allow the appropriate authorities to search, detain and dispose of declared publications found in the person or parcel. To ensure that the restriction in number of copies is effective, subscription to foreign publications, except through an authorized dealer, is prohibited under section 18E. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“Let us not be befuddled or fooled by proponents of this view. The issue before us is: how do we stop such publications from profiting financially by consistently attempting to manipulate local opinion and interfering in our domestic politics under the guise of freedom of the press. The Bill is the answer. Advocates of freedom of the press feel that the press, especially the foreign press, should be completely free to do and say as they please. But we all know that to secure freedom there is a price, there is a cost to be paid. Our freedom to walk on our streets without harrassment of criminals, for example, is paid for by the money we spent in maintaining law and order. Our freedom to breathe clean air, for example, is paid for by the money we spent to prevent environmental pollution. If absolute freedom is exercised by the foreign press in Singapore and if they are allowed to interfere with our domestic political process, manipulate local opinion by slanted and divisive reporting, then the price we pay will be chaos and confusion and this will lead to instability and strife. No investor will then want to put his money in Singapore. Some people also said that the effect of this Bill is minimal because profits of the publications come more from advertisements than from circulation. I think only the naive or those bent on misleading the people will put up such an argument. The Bill will have an effect precisely because a reduction in circulation will affect advertising revenue and hence profits. That is why foreign publications are worried. If this were not the case, then they would have no cause for alarm. Singapore welcomes the foreign press to operate here.”
“If the Undesirable Publications Act were invoked and the foreign publication banned, then Singaporeans will not have the opportunity to read what is written about us. There will be no free flow of ideas which we all agree is necessary to develop Singapore into an international information centre. The advocates of the use of the Undesirable Publications Act have contradicted themselves when they urged the Government to ban the publications which meddle in our domestic politics and yet at the same time agreed with the Government that there should be free flow of ideas. Sir, what is at issue here is not freedom of information or free flow of ideas. There is no intention to curb the flow of information or ideas by banning the publications. A ban will be misrepresented by such publications and opportunists as fear of exposing our people to their reporting. We have no such fears. There is no intention whatsoever to deprive Singaporeans' access to information and views in foreign publications. We know that it is not possible to seal Singapore off completely from external influences in this age of the computer and satellite technology. Singapore is a very open society. Singaporeans are affluent enough and they travel and read widely. They are free to read even foreign publications gazetted under the proposed amendments for we believe too that they are discerning enough. In fact, exposure to such foreign publications will enable Singaporeans to see for themselves the motive behind the reporting which seeks to manipulate them on local politics. It will be educational and will contribute to a more resilient nation through a better understanding of the ways of the world. So the issue is not freedom of information or free flow of ideas.”
“our courts, it tries to cast doubts in the minds of our people that our courts are not independent and it maligns the integrity of our judiciary; and three, it imposes its own ideas of press freedom without the understanding of the nature of our society: all these constitute interference in our domestic politics. What I have given are just some examples. It is not necessary or practical for me to list all the situations under which a foreign publication is considered as having transgressed because the nature of topical and controversial issues will vary from time to time. We cannot allow our domestic political process to be influenced or guided by some foreign publications which have no stake in Singapore. If the foreign publications do these things, then they are meddling in our domestic politics. Some people said that this amendment is unnecessary. They said that the way to deal with these foreign publications which meddle with our domestic politics is to use the existing laws - like the Undesirable Publications Act, the Sedition Act, the Internal Security Act and the Penal Code. Let there be no delusion that the Government will hesitate to use the appropriate laws to deal with foreign publications when the situation demands. For example, late last year, the Asian Wall Street Journal and its editors were cited for contempt of our courts and were found guilty. But there is a Chinese saying:( ) sha ji he bi yong niu dao which means "there is no need to use a cow's knife to kill a chicken." The English version is: "There is no need to use a sledgehammer to kill a fly." Therefore, while there are existing laws which can deal with the problem of foreign press interference in Singapore's politics, they may not be the most appropriate tool. Let me give an example.”
“But there has been a tendency on the part of a few foreign publications, a very small minority, which try to stir up Singa- porean feelings on local issues, even on sensitive issues like race and religion. I am not talking about these publications writing one or two unbalanced reports. They may have published these reports based on some incomplete information from which mistaken beliefs and conclusions were formed. We would overlook this if the mistake was genuine. But if the foreign publications resort to a pattern of reporting which seeks to distort the truth on local issues and to arouse the feelings of our people, then it is a different matter. When such foreign publications keep on publishing for a period of time, reports on local issues which are slanted, distorted or partisan, or when they try to influence our people on matters which they have no business to be involved in, or when they cast aspersions on our established institutions, then they are engaging in campaigns to influence local public opinion. They are considered to have stepped out of the bound of professional journalism into the realm of local politics. They will be considered as engaging in our domestic politics. Let me elaborate on what I mean. If over a period of time, a foreign publication carries a series of articles and letters on race and religion and attempts to influence people's opinion that a particular race has been discriminated against; two, when in its reporting of our key institutions, eg.”
“There were few foreign publications in circulation in Singapore at that time. Now, the number of foreign publications available in Singapore has increased to 3,700. Some foreign newspapers and news magazines - eg. the Asian Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, USA Today, Time and Economist - are printed in Singapore now. But they are still deemed to be foreign publications under this amendment Bill because their ownership, management and editorial control are outside Singapore. Also, 12 years ago, foreign newspapers and news magazines, especially those which commented on Singapore issues, did not have a significant circulation here. Since 1974, the sales in Singapore of foreign publications have increased. The total circulation of some of the major dailies and weeklies like the Asiaweek, Far Eastern Economic Review, International Herald Tribune, Time, Asian Wall Street Journal and Newsweek, is about 59,000. For some of them, for example, the Asian Wall Street Journal, Far Eastern Economic Review and Asiaweek, their circulation in Singapore constitutes quite a large percentage of their total sales. Almost one in seven copies of these publications I have just mentioned is sold in Singapore. They are therefore dependent to a great extent on the Singapore market. They are almost like a local newspaper. There is therefore a strong profit motive for them to try to use issues to increase their circulation. The vast majority of the 3,700 foreign publications report on Singapore fairly and objectively if and when they do so. They do not indulge in campaigns to influence Singaporean opinion.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, the purpose of this Bill is to restrict the sale or distribution of foreign publications which have been declared as having engaged in the domestic politics of Singapore. Newspapers and news magazines are an influential tool for shaping public opinion. Public opinion is shaped not only by the way the editors and journalists comment on current issues but also by the very selection of headlines, pictures and features and the manner of their presentation. Because of the potent influence it can wield, the press must ensure that it exercises its influence in a responsible manner. A responsible press is crucial to nation building. Our local newspapers know that Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society is small and vulnerable. They are extremely careful about not causing any offence to any racial, religious or linguistic group. They need to have a keen sense of our security and economic circumstances in the Southeast Asian and global context. They know what would undermine Singapore's prosperity and long-term survival. Their ownership, management and editorial control therefore have to be in the hands of Singaporeans. This must be the case because those who have made this country their home will better appreciate the responsibility they have to exercise. Foreigners, whose roots are not in Singapore, must not be allowed to control the local media. The Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA) passed in Parliament on 27th March 1974 is meant to ensure this. So far, this Act has served its purpose well. When the NPPA was enacted, it was not made applicable to foreign newspapers and news magazines whose ownership, management and editorial control are outside the jurisdiction of Singapore.”
“Community centres are government agencies. They organise social, cultural, educational, sports and recreational activities in accordance with the government's objectives and regulations. Forums and dialogue sessions, initiated by the Community Centre Management Committees (CCMCs), are held periodically to allow government leaders and officials to exchange views and explain government policies and issues to the public. No political party is allowed to hold its political activities in the community centres. Annexure A - DETAILS OF THE VACANT 1 & 2-ROOM RENTAL FLATS AND THE PERIOD OF VOID IN ANSON CONSTITUENCY (Cols. 209 - 210) tables - AVERAGE HEIGHT/WEIGHT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN 1970-73 and 1983 (Cols. 211 - 212) table - PERCENTAGE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AMONG SINGAPORE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF YEAR, SEX AND LEVEL OF EDUCATION 1976 TO 1985 (Cols. 213 - 214)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Anson is so concerned about his constituents, I think he can do the survey for us. NATIONAL SERVICEMEN (Injuries and suicides) 2. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence if he will say (a) how many of the 102 national servicemen who suffered injuries whilst under training in 1985 suffered them as a result of being compelled to continue with the exercises after they had complained that they were unable to continue; (b) how many such cases have come to light so far this year; and (c) how many cases of suicide were there in the army in 1985 and so far this year.”
“The distortion is only in the Member's mind, Mr Speaker, Sir. Even a tailor - I think he is a very perceptive tailor - has made the observation not too long ago, and this was reported in the Straits Times of 9th June 1986. May I ask the Clerk to distribute copies of the report in the Straits Times dated 9th June? [Copies of report distributed to hon. Members.] He said: 'Unlike the old days when one had to buy the cloth and hurry to the tailor to be measured, at the shop, from just $9, one can be suitably attired in readiness for the new school term. 'But for special orders, that is, if the student is fatter than the average sizes we have in stock, we can sew it in two to three days," said tailor Chiang Sow Tien. 'But most will find the sizes fitting because since three years ago, we have sewn larger uniforms as today's students seem to be fatter or bigger," he said. 'Besides sizes, it is not only the junior college students who are fashion-conscious; even the lower secondary school students want trendy baggy-look shirts with narrow ankle-width pants. 'In the past, it was different. Even the uniforms were not that varied in colour and design - just the simple white top with the standard blue, brown or khaki pants and pinafore.' These are his words, Sir. I think the tailor has been very perceptive. He has seen that our children in Singapore have actually put on a lot of weight.”
“I understand, Sir, that when you do an analysis you need to look at both the benefit as well as the cost. That is the meaning of cost-effectiveness. I must thank the Member for Whampoa for his simple lesson. Measuring the number of loans handled by a staff member is one way of measuring cost-effectiveness. How effective it is for a particular staff and how much it costs in terms of salary for the staff, all that has been taken into account in the analysis. Of course, there are other side benefits for opening the library for longer hours, for example people do not have to travel that far. But the individual really has to weigh what he needs against what is convenient to him or her. If he or she finds it inconvenient to use the library at a particular time, then he or she should fix another time to do so. He or she should not try to use the library only when the library is not opened. Toa Payoh, although it is 1(r) km away as the crow flies, is really not that far. You can really walk to Toa Payoh by just crossing Jalan Tentaram and Jalan Toa Payoh and that is Toa Payoh. Even though it may be inconvenient taking a bus, but when you walk it is not that far, probably 15 minutes, and I think it will also do some good to the physical well-being of the library member.”
“Sir, I understand the concern of the Member for Whampoa but I feel that he really does not like his own medicine. The library has to open for limited hours because the library does not have enough staff, and so a choice has to be made as to how the staff are to be deployed. As for preferences, of course, you can only use the library when the library is open. So the residents should try as far as possible to arrange within their own convenience as to when they are able to find the time to visit the library. I know the place quite well too. The library is next to the community centre. In order to use the place just for reading, I believe the community centre must have reading facilities for these members who want to use the library for reading only. To supplement the answer given by my Minister of State on the question raised by the Member for Changkat on senior citizens' corner, I believe that it is really better for senior citizens to use the facilities of the Residents' Committees rather than to set up a place of their own because those facilities are already available in the Residents' Committees and there is no need to duplicate them. She said that we should leave the senior citizens to organize themselves, that we should leave them to be spontaneous and informal in the environment rather than to organize them. They will not be forced to organize. All they need to do is to use the facilities, do things for themselves, and lead their own lives. They do not have to bother other younger members of the Residents' Committees.”
“SBC has just rested this programme in order to reformat the programme, and SBC will resume the telecast of this programme towards the end of the year. On the whole, SBC has come a long way, I believe, in satisfying the needs and the interests of its listeners and viewers. I am sure Singaporeans will agree with me that SBC has vastly improved its programming and production during the last few years. Of course, there is always room for improvement and SBC will continue to strive for it.”
“SBC has taken steps to nurture and develop talents for its local production and it has undertaken serious efforts in improving its other programmes. On Sports programmes, I believe that SBC has given adequate coverage, given the constraints it faces. Every week SBC telecast an average of seven hours of Sports programme, that, is about one hour a day. These exclude the special coverages aired on an ad hoc basis. SBC will continue to provide variety in the Sports programmes, both acquired and local. There is not a lot of commercial support for Sports programmes in Singapore, unlike the television stations in other countries. SBC coverage of the SEA games is a case in point, as mentioned by the Member for Pasir Panjang. Commercial support was not forthcoming, however hard SBC tried its best to find sponsors. Nevertheless SBC sent a crew of five to the SEA games. Singapore's entry into the finals of the SEA games soccer match was known only the day before it was played and commercial support, however hard SBC tried, was not forthcoming. Regarding Malay News, SBC is always sensitive to the prayer times and the needs of our Muslim community in scheduling its programmes. I am told that the Malay News does not clash with the prayer times. As I mentioned earlier, SBC always has to optimize the use of limited prime time available and I hope the Member will understand. On Sandiwara, I am told that this programme is telecast at 4.30 pm on Sundays over Channel 5, and it is repeated on Channel 5 at 5.45 pm on Wednesdays. I believe most viewers will have no problem in watching the programme on Sunday. If they miss it, they can catch up with it on Wednesday. I would like to assure the Member for Pasir Panjang that the popular programme called Mat Yoyo has not been dropped.”
“And the task is compounded manifold because of the multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural nature of our society. Because of the important role that SBC plays, not just in providing entertainment but also in nation-building, in forging a common identity, in informing and educating the people about Government policies and objectives, the Government pays for the capital cost of SBC's development programmes. But SBC must also be a viable operation and be able to pay its own way in its recurring or operating expenses. There are two major sources of revenue for SBC. They are licence fees and advertisement revenue. Viewers and SBC naturally want to keep licence fees to as low a level as possible. If licence fees are not to be increased, then the alternative must be to raise more revenue through selling air time for advertisement. And in order to attract more advertisers, SBC must have good programmes with high viewership. This is possible only if SBC were to judiciously use its limited prime time available in the evenings and in weekends. The popular entertainment programmes can attract commercial revenue, but many educational, informational or even sports programmes need to be subsidized, if sponsors are not found for specific programmes. Programming therefore is a highly complex matter, as the objective must be to ensure that there is adequate commercial support while taking into account the interests and needs of our listeners and viewers in our multi-racial, multi-cultural society and balancing the responsibilities of SBC to entertain, educate and inform. SBC produced and telecast 156 Tamil programmes last year. These are the drama, variety shows, cultural programmes, children's programmes, features and so on.”
“Let me tell the Member for Anson that governments all over the world have information services and publications to document and publicize their policies, work and achievements. This is a legitimate function and a necessary function of the government. Government has nothing to be ashamed of. Since it is the Government that decides and explains national policies, it is therefore the responsibility of Government Ministers and the PAP MPs to announce and explain them. We cannot, of course, expect the Opposition Members to do this. All these policies are conveyed by Government publications and the mass media and governments all over the world do this. We do not need the Member for Anson's advice to tell us how we should go about carrying our tasks. In fact, many people have complained to me that whenever they turn on the TV to watch SBC's "Today in Parliament", they see the Member for Anson wasting Parliament's time. And they say that he should behave himself instead of interjecting rudely whenever other Members are speaking. On TV3, it is certainly not the responsibility and policy of the Government to facilitate the reception of any foreign commercial station. TV3 is a commercial station and it falls within this policy. And HDB's decision not to install an antenna to receive TV3 is also in line with this policy. The decision of the press not to print TV3's programme schedules is, in my view, a responsible step in support of the Government policy. Let me put the matters raised on SBC in the correct perspective. SBC has the formidable responsibility of entertaining, educating and informing its listeners and viewers. SBC in its broadcasts and telecasts has to take into account the wide-ranging interests, tastes and needs of its viewers and listeners.”
“Sir, just let me make a few comments on the points raised by the Members of this House concerning the Information Division and the SBC. The Members for Serangoon Gardens and Anson talked about the Information Division and its publications. Let me try to explain what the roles of the Information Division are. It organizes training programmes for Government departments' PROs on how to make use of the various media, for example, television, news- papers, publications, leaflets, advertising and so on, to put across Government's policies and messages. It works closely with, gives advice to, and assists the Ministries in their dealings with the mass media. It produces Government's publications and promotes the Government's campaigns. It is the responsibility of all Government departments and Ministries which formulate policies to implement them and also to explain them to the people,because they are in the best position to do so. It is not the responsibility of the Information Division alone. To explain Government policies simply and effectively, there is no better way than the mass media because information, in order to be useful, have to reach the people quickly. The mass media therefore should be used. Government publications are just one means of explaining policies to the public. But they do not have the mass reach that television, radio or even newspapers have. So the Information Division's publications at best can play a supportive role. But I must thank the Member for Serangoon Gardens for suggesting that the Government publishes a weekly. Maybe this idea can be incorporated in the existing publication called the Mirror.”
“We are working with the Ministry of Health's Training and Education Department to organise regular talks at Community Centres and Senior Citizens' Clubs to disseminate health information and advice. K. Health Screening An approach is being made to the various authorities to get doctors, especially those having practices in HDB estates, to volunteer their services to conduct health screening examinations for senior citizens. The examination will be co-ordinated by the Senior Citizens' Clubs of the PA and RCs. L. Regular Exercises The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has drawn up some simple exercises specially geared for the aged. They are training staff of the Senior Citizens' Clubs and some Homes for the Aged to conduct the exercises for their members/ residents.”
“Obligation to Maintain Parents We have to study very carefully the implications of legislation requiring children to maintain their parents. Legislation should not be rushed through without adequate evaluation. The laws and experiences of other countries are being studied and evaluated. H. Senior Citizens' Clubs The RCs and CCCs run 60 Senior Citizens' Clubs for more than 9,000 members. PA has 47 Senior Citizens' Clubs for more than 10,000 members as well as its own Community Centre Senior Citizens' Club Co-ordinating Council which co-ordinates the activities of their Senior Citizens' Clubs. By mid '86, every constituency will have a Senior Citizens' Club. The Senior Citizens' Clubs provide educational, recreational and cultural programmes and activities for the senior citizens. These activities provide the senior citizens with opportunities to spend their time more meaningfully and provide avenues for them to be more socially active. I. Senior Citizens Health Centres We are working with the Ministry of Health to set up Senior Citizens' Health Centres. These Centres will provide rehabilitative care for the frail and semi-mobile elderly and complement the Senior Citizens' Clubs whose activities are targetted for the aged who are ambulant. The Ministry of Health intends to set up 10 Senior Citizens' Health Centres over the next five years at a rate of two a year. Where possible, the Centres will be set up in Polyclinics. J. Dissemination of Health Information and Advice The Ministry plans to publish a booklet containing health information and advice for senior citizens. In addition, material and slides prepared by the Ministry of Health's Training and Education Department are also available for use of the Senior Citizens' Clubs.”
“The Singapore Council of Social Service is persuading the Homes run by voluntary organisations to play a more active role in catering to the needs of the aged sick. We have also drawn up Guidelines on Minimum Standards of Care for the Homes for the Aged and Aged Sick. The Guidelines enable the management of the Homes to know the facilities they must have and those they should have in order to provide adequate services for the residents. We are studying legislation of other countries with a view to introducing legislation, if required, for the control, supervision and management of the Homes. E. Training of Homes Personnel The Ministry is conducting a series of training courses to train staff in Homes for the Aged in:- (i) psycho-social needs and common disorders in the elderly; (ii) general nursing care; (iii) exercises for the disabled aged; (iv) communicating with the elderly; (v) coping with disability and daily living activities of the elderly; (vi) coping with death, dying and bereavement. F. Staffing The Homes for the Aged, especially those housing the aged sick, have difficulties recruiting and retaining local staff because they are not willing to: (i) take care of the chronic sick or the mentally retarded who are bedridden and incontinent; (ii) do shift or night work. There is also a high turnover of home staff because of the lack of dedication and commitment required to put up with the demands of the residents of the Home. The Ministry is helping the Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) which run the Homes to recruit foreign workers. To-date, we have helped them to recruit 29 foreign workers as nurses, nursing aides, ward attendants, etc. G.”
“They also provide an alternative place where the elderly can go to and spend the day so that they do not have to remain at home. At present there are three Day Care Centres, namely: (1) Apex Club Day Care Centre for the Elderly (2) Day Care Centre for the Elderly at Ling Kwang Home (3) Henderson Senior Citizens' Corner. The Ministry is encouraging more voluntary welfare organisations to set up Day Care Centres. Community Homes with low occupancy are encouraged and helped to offer day care services for senior citizens. Some of them could be turned into Day Care Centres. For example, the Zion Home for the Aged has agreed to convert half the present premises of the Home into a Day Care Centre. C. Respite Care Service Respite Care Service provides accommodation for the aged sick away from home for short periods of time. The break helps to reduce stress and pressures felt by family members in caring for the aged. The Ministry has drawn up guidelines for existing voluntary Homes for the Aged to provide Respite Care Service. At present, the Service is available at five Homes, namely: (i) Assisi Home (ii) Little Sister of the Poor (iii) Ling Kwang Home for the Elders (iv) Lions Nursing Home (v) St Joseph's Home Another eight Homes have indicated that they plan to introduce the Service in the future. D. Homes for the Aged We agree with the CPA recommendation that there should be two types of Homes, namely: (i) Homes for the Destitute; and (ii) Homes for the Aged Sick. The Government will continue to run Homes for the Destitute under the provisions of the Destitute Persons Act. Homes for the Aged Sick should be run by commercial and voluntary organisations. The Ministry has drawn up a set of criteria for admission of the aged to Homes run by voluntary organisations.”
“The Ministry of Community Development has accepted in-principle the recommendations of the Committee on Problems of the Aged (CPA) that are within the purview of the Ministry. Many of the recommendations have been or are being implemented. The Ministry has set up a Committee to co-ordinate the development of programmes and activities for the aged. It is also liaising with other organisations to monitor implementation of programmes which they are responsible for. The actions taken so far are detailed below. A. Community-based Social Services The Ministry has developed a range of community-based social services to help the aged to live in their own homes. These are:- (a) Befriender Service To-date, the Befriender Service has been introduced in 12 constituencies where there are larger numbers of single aged. 635 senior citizens are befriended by 177 volunteers. The plan is to extend the Befriender Service to all constituencies by FY 1990. (b) Home Help Service This service was started in January this year. Under the scheme, a home helper visits the aged person in his home and helps in domestic chores and activities of daily living. We have registered 22 helpers and 22 users of the service. (c) The Ministry conducted a survey in January/February 1985 among 260 senior citizens registered with the Befriender Service in six constituencies to gauge the demand for a Meal Delivery Service. The response to such a Service was poor. The supply of meals, if required, will be incorporated as part of the Befriender Service. B. Day Care Centres The Day Care Centres run by voluntary welfare organisations provide basic nursing and simple physio- therapeutic treatment for the elderly who require follow-up rehabilitative care after their discharge from hospitals.”
“May I suggest the Member to put in a Question and I will then answer the question, because the present Question is not related to child abuse. 30-CENT HALF-HOURLY PARKING COUPONS 10. Mr Goh Chee Wee asked the Minister for National Development if the Housing and Development Board will consider introducing a 30-cent half-hourly parking coupon.”
“I wonder why the Member for Anson took such a long time to raise the case to the Ministry's attention. If the Member were to write in officially to the Ministry, giving the name of the child, we will look into that.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder whether the Member for Anson has written to the Ministry about this case, because if he is so concerned about the case he should not wait until this House meets to raise his question on a specific case.”
“I believe the Member is talking about homes under the fostering scheme, not those homes managed by the Ministry. It has not come to our notice that children who are under the fostering scheme have been neglected or abused. If there are, we will certainly look into them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thought I have just answered the question. Where appropriate and where the child is still attending school, when the child comes into the care of the Ministry, the Ministry will arrange for him to attend a school. Where they have been school drop-outs, for example, then they cannot be placed in schools and they will attend the in-house training programmes.”
“CVD action has been taken against exports of textiles, refrigerator compressors, and steel wire rods to the United States. Australia also has pursued anti-dumping cases against our exports of steel tubes, filing cabinets, even correcting fluids and organic dyes. Usually the allegations of unfair trade practices are disproved, and we are proven innocent. But meanwhile our exports are disrupted, and our traders lose their market share. Our exports are also subjected to other limitations, such as quota restrictions on exports of refrigerators and television sets, and non-tariff barriers like regulations on packaging, health, safety and environmental protection. In addition, our exports have also been affected by the developed countries' withdrawal of GSP benefits from Singapore. In 1985, for example, New Zealand graduated Singapore from its GSP scheme. The US has also removed GSP status from some of our products, whose exports have reached a certain ceiling. If Singapore is deprived of GSP benefits, it will affect at least 30% of our non-oil domestic exports. The effect of these protectionist measures goes way beyond the products which are directly affected. They have created an environment where preserving existing exports is already difficult, and promoting new exports is even tougher. The measures have also led to MNCs shifting their investments away from Singapore, and towards the developed countries, where markets are protected. There is therefore no doubt that the international trading environment has become inhospitable and will grow increasingly hostile.”
“In fact, from time to time, matters which are of public interest and which have been resolved or taken up by the Feedback Unit were published in the Mirror or the mass media. We will continue to do so whenever there are such cases. ECONOMIC DOWNTURN (Hostile trading environment) 17. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry if he will elaborate on the "increasingly hostile trading environment" which he is reported to have listed as one of the reasons for Singapore's economic downturn in his talk in London at the end of January 1986. The Acting Minister for Trade and Industry (BG Lee Hsien Loong): Mr Speaker, Sir, between 1975 and 1984, Singapore's total exports grew, on average, 15% per year. In 1985, however, exports fell by 2.3%. Given the critical role of exports in our economic growth - they are 1r times our GDP - this decline has undoubtedly contributed to Singapore's economic downturn. Our exports have been affected by the increasingly hostile trading environment. Protectionist sentiments in the developed countries, especially the United States, are growing stronger, and protectionist measures are becoming more prevalent. The US Congress is considering more than 300 trade bills, aimed at restricting international trade and protecting domestic industries. One of these, the Jenkins Bill, sought to limit imports of textiles. It was actually passed by Congress. The President fortunately has vetoed the bill, but Congress may still try to override the veto. Meanwhile, the US is already using existing legislation to restrict imports. Singapore exporters have been harassed by a number of anti-dumping actions and countervailing duty (CVD) actions.”
“I do not know what is wrong if the President were to involve himself with the functions organized by the Government for the people. He is the President of the country. And I also do not know why the Member for Anson wants to begrudge the precious little that we give to these volunteers for their magnanimity, their generosity and the time that they give to the people. SINGAPORE AIRLINES (Equity holdings) 14. Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Minister for Finance what is the percentage dis- tribution of equity in Singapore Airlines (SIA) among Temasek Holdings, SIA staff, Overseas holdings and others.”
“As to why the President himself was involved, I think the President himself wanted to meet the volunteers or community leaders who have given so much of their time to the nation. I think it is something that he thinks it is worth doing, and that is why he was present.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the data or information on how much was spent for the party given by the Prime Minister. If he wants, he can raise another question and I will answer it. As far as I know, the people who attended the two functions were not the same, although they might have come from the same organizations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a sum of $30,581.50 was spent for the Lunar New Year Garden Party. The function was held by the Government to thank some 3,800 grassroots leaders, representatives of voluntary welfare organizations, unions, cultural and clan associations and volunteers for their unstinting contributions and service to the community. That there are so many people amongst us who care sufficiently for the well-being of their fellow men is a credit to our nation. The amount spent to show the Government's appreciation of the contributions of these concerned individuals and organizations is nothing compared to the time, effort and money they contributed and raised for the benefit of the community. For example, in 1985 alone, the Citizens' Consultative Committees raised and gave away more than $1 million in the form of welfare benefits, scholarships and bursaries to 7,828 people. This is in addition to their leadership role in promoting mass participation in national campaigns and community projects. The Residents' Committees organized no fewer than 5,600 community activities in 1985 for more than 700,000 participants. These activities served to promote neighbourliness and met the social, recreational and cultural needs of the HDB residents.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry was not responsible for releasing the press statement or the information in the newspaper. I do not know where he got the information from. In any case, the allocation of sites is the responsbility of the National Development Ministry. I can assure him that the views of the people who are affected will be taken into account by my Ministry. We will take up the case with the relevant Ministry. As far as land allocation is concerned, it must fall within the land allocation policy of the Government. LUNAR NEW YEAR GARDEN PARTY (Costs) 13. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Acting Minister for Community Develop- ment how much the Lunar New Year Garden Party of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence held at the Istana on the 15th February, 1986 cost the taxpayer.”
“BG Lee Hsien Loong: At the end of 1984, the Ministry of Trade and Industry projected that growth would be reduced from 8% in 1984 to about 5% in 1985. As it has turned out, the downturn has been sharper than we had anticipated. ECONOMIC REVIVAL (Measures) 14. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Government has set up a machinery to revive our economy; and, if so, what are the steps the Government has taken to date. BG Lee Hsien Loong: The state of the economy and the measures to revive it have been thoroughly discussed in Parliament in the debate on the Address of Thanks to the President. CLOSURES OF COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES (Figures) 15. Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry what is the number of companies and businesses that have voluntarily closed down or been forced to liquidate or have remained dormant for the years 1984 and 1985. BG Lee Hsien Loong: In 1985, 350 companies were wound up voluntarily, 397 companies were forced to liquidate and 9,992 businesses terminated their operations. There are no available statistics on the number of companies and businesses which remained dormant. In 1984, 251 companies were closed down voluntarily, 219 were forced to liquidate and 10,044 businesses ceased to operate. Appendix I - SUMMARY OF FISCAL INCENTIVES ANNOUNCED IN 1985 WHICH AFFECT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET (Cols. 441 - 442) Appendix II - REDUCTION IN PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATES WITH EFFECT FROM YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1987 (Cols. 443 - 444)”
“The former Sennett Community Centre was built in 1976 at a construction cost of $490,000. The Government provided the land and $150,000 for the project. The remaining $340,000 were raised by community leaders and the public. The running cost of the Centre was borne by the Government. The Government has recently completed a larger modern community centre which is situated a short distance from the former Sennett Community Centre. The modern Potong Pasir Community Centre has been built to replace the smaller Sennett Community Centre and the Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Community Centre which is very near the Kim Keat Community Centre. The new centre provides better facilities for residents living in the vicinity including those at Sennett Estate. It was built at a construction cost of $2,414,000. The Government provided the land and $1,707,000 for the building. The remaining $707,000 were raised by community leaders and the public. The Sennett and the Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Community Centres are two out of the 26 community centres which were closed last year as part of the programme to upgrade the community facilities with the construction of more modern centres in the vicinity. With the completion of the modern Potong Pasir Community Centre, the public interest is best served by consolidating public resources in the modern centre which is within easy access to more residents than the old centre at Sennett Estate. ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS NOT REACHED BY 3.30 PM ECONOMIC DOWNTURN (Prescience) 13. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Government foresaw in 1984 the impending downturn in our economy.”
“They are like all other video operators. And video operators have to comply with a licensing condition - they are not allowed to have advertisements. So even for hotels, the same condition applies. PREFERENTIAL ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FEE (Raising of 10-year limit) 6. Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for Communications and Information if he will raise the 10-year limit on motorcars for Preferential Additional Registration Fee to save foreign exchange.”
“The video operators are fully aware of the licensing requirements. And the Ministry, or the Government, cannot and does not respond to every little point that is mentioned in the newspapers for lack of resources.”
“He was elected by the triennial Congress, by the delegates themselves. So by what he has said, he seems to be implying that he has adopted democratic principles in what he does. I remember him saying that his Anson Council will be elected by the people there. Are they? How many members of the Anson Council are staying in Anson? Do they really represent the people of Anson? Or is it another of those publicity ploys to fool the people? He said he is not trying to cause disharmony or discord among the people by bringing up all those so-called problems he mentioned. I think he has, when he said that, misplaced his tongue. It must have dropped a few inches below his mouth. If people remember or read about Julius Caesar, they too would know what Mark Antony was trying to say about Brutus. Wouldn't they? Thank you. Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, two matters for clarification. First of all, I did not say that the Anson Needy Fund was being set up to help the Workers' Party. It is to help the needy residents in Anson. And it is in operation at the moment. You ask them. They know about it. Secondly, the appeal was not my appeal. It is an appeal by the Workers' Party on behalf of its leaders. So get that right. And thirdly ---”