Yatiman Yusof
Singapore
“I would like to ask whether this concept would be incorporated together with the parks development, and whether MEWR is working closely with the National Parks Board. Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Yes, Sir.”
“In areas where there are both land and water bodies, such as East Coast Park, Sembawang Park, Seletar, MacRitchie and Bedok Reservoir Parks, the gardens or park developments often end at points where the land meets the water.”
“We work hard in stimulating growth for this sector and then work towards providing the manpower needed either by bringing in talent and expertise from abroad or training them locally.”
“Facing an open sea, it could be developed into a seasports centre for those who love to go yachting, boating, sea-kayaking, wind surfing and even sports fishing. The untouched Semakau Island could be a unique place for nature lovers to view its fauna and flora.”
“If they do so, they would have to chalk up the difference with cash. I appreciate the assistance that the HDB gives to them by allowing them to defer their payments, but this does not solve their problem. I also know that in some instances, HDB did consider the request on a case-by-case basis.”
“Sir, since 2003, the MDA has worked with MediaCorp to subtitle the Prime Minister's National Day message, something which Ms Olsen said is not a big deal, but we have made a start.”
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“It is fortunate that the SBC has improved its programmes and has managed to retain the local viewers. Therefore, not many people tune in to that station and it is not a big problem. Now there is another station on the air, called Zoo 101.6 from Batam Island, which has caught SBC unawares. Some advertisers have crossed over to that station which broadcasts mainly western pop music. In order to counter this challenge, the SBC then established Perfect 10. It seems to me that Perfect 10 caters to the local audience by also providing the same kind of pop music as Zoo 101.6 to pull back local advertisers. The questions I would like to raise is if there are more and more such foreign stations being set up and if they implement dubious policies and programmes to achieve mass appeal, how is the SBC going to counter such competitions? Sir, may I now turn to the challenge posed by technological advances. In the not too distant future, people will be able to receive programmes from TV satellites. This is not something which is new. In Japan, there are already in existence such satellite TV broadcasting. In Taiwan, the people are also allowed to install dish antennas for satellite broadcasts. In Indonesia, there are also such equipment. I do not know what the policy of the SBC or the Singapore Government is. However, I hope that before the receiving devices become smaller and easily available, we will be able to work our policies in this area. I understand that the SBC already has a satellite TV reception station. Can we make full use of it so that our local audience will be able to receive programmes from abroad faster?”
“It is not only heterogeneous, thus making such inclusion extremely sensitive and possibly explosive, but Singapore is also a nation using English language as the major communication media among our own people. The two differences tend to make us more susceptible to such corrupting forces. So my question is: how do we plan to reconcile our role as the major information centre and at the same time protect our much cherished traditional, eastern values? The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Tang Guan Seng)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I see the SBC as having three purposes. The first purpose of the SBC is to disseminate news to the public in the most speedy way. Secondly, it is to provide educational programmes to the public and thirdly, it is a source of entertainment. However, I feel that the SBC faces two challenges in its operation. The first one is a commercial challenge. Broadcasts from foreign sources can easily be received in Singapore and some local advertisers have now begun to advertise through foreign stations. If the SBC is to survive, it must be able to compete with these stations. The second challenge comes with technological advance, for example, new reception devices which includes satellite TV dishes will be more easily available. Sir, I will give two examples to illustrate how the SBC has been countering the challenges of foreign broadcasting stations. One is from the Malaysian TV 3. We do not encourage our local people to receive TV 3 programmes. On Housing Board flats, we do not install central TV antennas to facilitate such reception. However, indoor antennas for such reception are easily obtained and installed. Therefore, it is not difficult to receive programmes from TV 3.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, my GPC Chairman and Member for Bedok GRC had lamented on the question of land transportation policy. Allow me, Sir, to ask some questions in relation to our information policy. Sir, Singapore is rapidly moving towards becoming a major information centre in this part of the world. We had used the strong geo-strategic location to the fullest and develop our infrastructure to such an extent that we are positioning ourselves to play a greater role in the flow of information in this region. Sir, knowledge is power. Information is power too. We have to continue practising a flexible policy to ensure that our position as the leading information centre in this part of the world remains. However, Sir, information is just like air which forms its own unique circulation, enveloping the world around. Like air, Sir, information can come fresh and healthy; it can also come polluted and corruptible. Sir, I am talking about the "mega gods" of the world media which seek to export values, perceptions and practice on us, and the desire to use Singapore as the major information centre to convert our society. Our recent encounters with a few media owners illustrated this point. Under disguise of freedom of speech, basic human rights, they seek to engage in our domestic matters and influence our politics. In short, Sir, they try to colour the mind of our people, especially the young, who are more susceptible than the older generation. Sir, unlike South Korea, Japan, Taiwan which generally practise culturally homogenous values, and unlike South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, perhaps Malaysia and Indonesia which use the indigenous language widely, hence provide the kind of cover for the young generation, Singapore is different.”
“Sir, I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I would like to ask the Minister to look into the possibility of strengthening multi-racialism in schools by giving our new schools multi-racial names after they have demolished old schools, such as Kampong Glam, Kota Raja, Umar Pulavar and Min Chong Schools. Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Sir, over the last 10 years, about 20 aided schools which have been closed or converted into Government schools have been able to retain their old names for the new school premises. But for the schools with Chinese dialect names, the names were changed to hanyu pinyin. Question No. 2 - name retention is considered only for aided schools which have been closed or converted into Government schools. The retention of a school name is based on its examination results and its contribution to education in terms of academic excellence, sporting achievements, tradition and history. Government schools that are closed down because of dwindling enrolment are not considered for name retention, just like Jalan Kayu School which is a Government school was closed in December 1988 because of dwindling enrolment. It had only nine classes at the time of closure and these pupils were absorbed by established schools in the area.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of Code LD 1500 of the Main Estimates. Sir, the schools have long been regarded as one of the most suitable places for inculcation of various desirable values. It is in school that our young citizens of impressionable age groups are being taught new concepts, ideas and values. As the major source in which the minds and attitudes of the future citizens are shaped and moulded, the schools with both in form and content, including the curricula, must undoubtedly reflect the aspirations of the people. I believe the Ministry saw a lot of merit in emphasizing the importance of history so that children of tomorrow are able to link themselves with the past. It is for this reason I support ---”
“Sir, in view of this, any indication of willingness from any party to help solve this problem ought to be welcome and applauded. Sir, I am compelled to restate this position following remarks made by the hon. Member for Leng Kee a few days ago. The Member said that there have been some unhappiness expressed on the Government's policy of giving free education to the Malays at least at University level. While the Member may be expressing what is legitimately the concern of some section of the Chinese community, I hope we should be able to see it in a broader national perspective. Sir, it is in this context that I welcome the suggestion, if it is to be implemented at all, the proposed joint committee, as mentioned by the Member for Aljunied GRC. The involvement of non-Malays for such joint committee is crucial for their involvement will not only provide a cross-fertilization of ideas from among educationists, professionals and people who are familiar with the problem of child development but also to provide the much lacking perspective of cross-cultural approach to this problem. Encik Wan Hussin had earlier mentioned of how the Malays themselves tried to solve this problem from the perspective of the Malay community through the formation of Mendaki. We need to move one step forward by involving others in a semi-formalized form of joint effort and through such joint effort we will be able to enrich and strengthen the capability of this proposed group and at the same time serve to deepen mutual understanding at the working and thinking level of solving the Malay education problem.”
“Sir, about two years ago, the Minister for Education announced the new criteria for admission into junior colleges and pre-university centres. Under these new criteria, applicants must pass certain subjects. For Arts courses, apart from the first and second languages, they must also obtain S7 for Maths. For the Science course, applicants must also do well in at least one Humanities subject. Could the Minister kindly enlighten the House on the following queries: (1) What are the implications of this new policy on the quality and quantity of JC intakes? (2) Has this policy reduced the opportunity of certain groups, for example, Malays, to enter JCs? Sir, I ask the second question because, following the announcement of the recent 'O' level results and applications to JCs, I was informed that the number of Malay students entering JCs has been significantly reduced. Sir, related to this subject of Malay students' performance, I would like to share the sentiment expressed by the Member for Aljunied GRC for a greater involvement by the Ministry of Education through some kind of joint effort to help the Malay students. My colleague who had spoken earlier had emphasized the new perspective that is required if the effort to help the Malay students are to be effective. Sir, the Malay problem, be it social, political or educational, is a national problem. If it is not a national problem, then the problem that is faced by drug addicts would not be given national perspective. If the Malay educational problem is not seen as a national problem, then the support given to Mendaki must be very much lacking. And if we see the Malay political problem is a non-national problem, we would not be seeing GRC.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister two questions. (1) Is the problem more serious than what is revealed through the figures because of possible differences in the household sizes of various ethnic groups. (2) The proposed measures seem to be preventive in nature. Would the Minister consider any form of incentive to encourage a better mix of ethnic groups in the housing estates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Western people use quilt. I would suggest if the hon. Member for Potong wishes to follow totally, he should try to use quilt and he has to pay a lot for his airconditioning bill. It is very thick. That is western. Sir, "modernization" means applying modern knowledge, modern scientific invention, to solve our day-to-day problems. And in our case, if we have to solve our problem of unemployment by industrialization, applying modern means to improve our productivity, that is modernization. The source of the knowledge obtained is not necessarily from the West. The Western people are learning from the Japanese. It is modernization. It is not easternization. Sir, it is easy to use terms but it is difficult to understand its totality. Secondly, he proposed that Singapore should be a melting pot. I think the Hon. Minister has already explained what it implies - assimilation. I would like to add one more point. The fact that Singapore is very cautious to avoid ourselves from being perceived as an extension of Chinese culture, Chinese state, as a Third China, is simply because we want to live in harmony with our neighbours. At the first indication that we show our inclination to be a Third China, we must be prepared to face repercussions from our neighbouring countries which are demographically bigger than us. Is the Member for Potong Pasir advocating for that direction? Is he or is he not?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion moved by the hon. Member for Siglap. Sir, the hon. Member for Potong Pasir has the habit of using terms loosely. In this respect, today he strongly, unequivocally, advocated for a radically different path towards building social cohesiveness in Singapore, ie, promoting westernization. The term "westernization" connotes a lot of things. It is distinct from modernization, the process in which Singapore had gone through and achieved to be what we are today. "Westernization" means adopting a total Western mental outlook, practising total Western social values, life habits of the western society, meaning eating what they eat, sleeping the way they sleep and in a manner which is distinctly different. To take a simple analogy, is he suggesting ---”
“I do not think the young people of Singapore, who have read about this, could accept such a narrow and misleading view of the situation. Mr Deputy Speaker, he also rejected the statutory declarations on the grounds that three lawyers have openly spoken in the press to deny their presence at the meetings that wre said to have taken place. Three denials, in a whole series of events? Even if Patrick Seong had made a mistake in his statement, he would be liable for it because he had declared so, under oath. But the denial of one meeting out of so many issues, matters, enumerated in the declaration, and that is held as grounds for rejecting the whole statutory declaration? That is an argument we would find difficult to accept.”
“I think if we heard the arguments of the Member last Friday, he said something like this: The more relaxed, the more open the situation in Singapore, the more democracy there is, the more voices against the government, the more investments will flow in. And today he said that it is illogical that the Americans would want to interfere in Singapore's affairs because he said that America is a capitalist nation whereas the eight detainees have been called Marxists. I think the Member for Potong Pasir has been too simplistic. And he quoted from the dictionary to say that Marxism has such a wide definition. He was reading at such a lumbering pace that it was commented upon by the Deputy Speaker. I would like to ask if he really understands it. If he does not, there is a course in the Political Science Department of the National University of Signapore and the Professor in the Political Science Department can give a free lecture on the topic: "Classical Political Theories" on Marxism, Communism, Capitalism, all of them, could be taught free of charge. We need to have Members who know what they are saying and not confuse the people through the mass media, and that is what the Member for Potong Pasir has been doing. He said - and I want to show how simplistic his thinking is - he said that it is totally illogical that Vincent Cheng, someone who, I quote, "wants to become a priest" could be a Marxist or pro-Marxist. That is illogical, he said. I propose that he studies the development of liberation theology in the Philippines and study how not only have the churches been infiltrated by the Marxists but even the priests themselves have been propagating Marxism in the Philippines. This fact is known throughout the world.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the Member for Potong Pasir today raised many issues with very impressive arguments. First, he said the PAP Government has no compassion, no feelings, no consideration, no regard for the pain suffered by the families of the eight people detained under the Marxist conspiracy. But does he not realize that we have to balance the happiness of the eight detainees against the 2(r) million people of Singapore who have a right to security in a stable country. 8 against 2(r) million - what kind of logic is that? Secondly, he asked that we meet and speak to the family members of the eight detainees. I think the family members of the eight detainees are still fully entitled to meet their Members of Parliament to complain about their plight and I am sure their grievances would be brought to the fore. The Member for Potong Pasir himself is not prevented from speaking to them and from raising their problems. But if the Member for Potong Pasir thinks that, by speaking to the members of the families of the eight detainees, we would be able to arrive at the truth, then I would say in this world it is not as simple as that. He said, and many a time too, that we should hold a public inquiry. I think no public inquiry is as final, as appropriate, as reliable as a general election. And in a general election we would be facing not just the eight detainees but also every citizen of Singapore who, in exercising his right of vote, would decide whether we are right or wrong. He also said that it is illogical that the Americans would want to topple the Government of Singapore.”
“In addition, Sir, since structural rectification work in their apartments will have to be done in such a way they still have to spend additional money to redo the interior of their apartments. From the brief survey conducted, Sir, I found that the owners are unable to meet these sudden massive but urgent expenses. Resolving this matter through legal process takes time. Meanwhile, with no guarantee of payment, there is no contractor that is willing to undertake the rectification work. As such, it is not impossible that the said Block 84 of Cheng Hong Mansion will be left there for 5-6 years unattended, allowing the deterioration process to quicken the danger of collapse. In view of the fact that there are a significant number of private apartment owners in Singapore, I would like to ask the Minister, apart from setting up a kind of housing insurance scheme financed by private companies, what are the measures the Ministry has in mind to protect buyers of such apartments from such unknown and unexpected risks.”
“Sir, I rise to support the cut made by the Member for Bo Wen. In supporting this suggestion, I wish to focus our attention to problems faced by owners of private apartments who are becoming the victims of irresponsible contractors and developers. Sir, the predicament faced by owners of Cheng Hong Mansion is a case in point. These people who have bought private apartments in the open market did so in good faith that the property they purchased with their life-time savings is in good and dependable condition. But the incidence involving the owners of Block 84, Cheng Hong Mansion, in my constituency, shows that this is not so. The properties they bought have, after studies conducted by an engineering consultant firm, been found to be unfit for habitation. Because the building was considered as "in a state of imminent danger of collapse", residents were ordered to vacate the premises immediately. Since it is a civil matter, the aggrieved parties will have to seek redress through the court of law. Sir, even after spending large sums of money on this, there is no guarantee that they will be compensated. It is a widely known fact that there are many construction companies which are set up on the basis of one particular project. After the project is completed, the company is closed. Besides, solution through the court takes time. Meanwhile, the residents and owners will have to pay the legal and engineering consultancy fees, including design for rectification work. They also have to continue paying their bank loans and/or CPF deductions. And thirdly, they have to pay rent for their temporary accommodation.”
“Financing of the Jurong Town Corporation (12) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead VL-01 of the Development Estimates. The sum of $101,631,500 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $892,395,400 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P -”
“Another point raised earlier was that if we do not give encouragement - and I look at the reply as not giving sufficient encouragement in merely saying that we will try to do what we can, not that we are not doing anything, but Singaporeans must not have the attitude of having their hand being held from cradle to grave - we are not providing the help that the local retailers are asking for. If we apply the law of the jungle by allowing the well-developed, well-machined foreign big retailers to penetrate Singapore, then the survival of the fittest would mean the death of our local enterprise. If that happens, five years from now, we would be sitting here trying to find a formula on how we could encourage local entrepreneurs to survive.”
“Mr Chairman, probably the Senior Parliamentary Secretary decided to move to set a barrier between us. He is my neighbour. But, Mr Chairman, I would like to comment on the point made in his reply when he said that it is important for us to bring in the foreign giant in retailers to encourage healthy competition, to upgrade our skills so that we can survive, to increase automation through better packaging, and to provide one-stop shopping. And he attributed the success of our mini-market projects as a result of the contribution from these foreign big companies. I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary these questions: Is it safe to assume that since locals are holding 70% of the retail outlet in Singapore, we do not have to do anything to keep the status quo? Second, is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary not aware that most of the foreign contractors, I repeat, most of the foreign contractors, are not paying taxes in Singapore? Third, and more important, is to bring in the point raised by the Minister himself. The Minister has identified three major engines of growth, namely, the multi-national, the public sector and the private sector. I think, taking out the multi-national, the relevant point on private sector would be local entrepreneurs. Is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary not aware that before Yaohan, Sogo and even Marks & Spencer were able to export their skills in marketing and in retail, they were provided with a domestic market and which is being jealously protected by their own Government? Can't we do the same, to provide similar opportunity for our own local entrepreneurs to learn the skills, upgrade themselves and hence develop its capability to compete outside?”
“While I totally agree that, as in the case with other sectors, we have to be competitive, there is a real need for us to, first, expand the market; second, improve our quality of services to customers; and, third, consolidate ourselves before we can make a quantum leap when the economy improves. Perhaps the Minister can look into the ways and means of providing services in retail research; (b) helping the local companies to identify new areas of expansion; and (c) to help rebuild the image of Singapore as a shopping paradise.”
“First, the inflow of tourists from abroad and, second, the increase of our population's purchasing power. While I am glad that the Government is investing $1 billion to develop our tourist potential by upgrading and creating more diverse tourist attractions in Singapore, such efforts need time to bring about the desired results. With our wage restraint policy in full swing, there seems to be an extremely remote possibility of an immediate upsurge in the retail sector resulting from better purchasing power. Meanwhile what can we do? Sir, we cannot wait and see our local retail companies folding up, one by one. Some well-known firms have already been made oblivious because of cash flow problems. In their place we begin to see giant foreign retailers moving in, securing the market, and are poised for expansion when the economy returns. Sir, big names in retail business, such as Yaohan, Isetan and Sogo, are rapidly eliminating our locally known firms. I am afraid if nothing is done we may see the growth of oligopolistic trend in retail business. They kill our local entrepreneurs. Again, Sir, I am not suggesting that we embark on protectionism. But I certainly believe, Sir, that something must be done before such big firms, after establishing themselves in our major shopping centres, start moving into the housing estate service centres. Sir, we need to bring back the golden image of Singapore as a shopping paradise. We have to monitor, if necessary, control the over-expansion of our retail outlets that cause the retail glut and delay the introduction of consumption tax that would certainly affect the retail prices.”
“There is a saying that charity begins at home. I would like to add that opportunity must be created at home for our construction industries to survive and thrive. Sir, many Members in this House who have spoken before me, including the Members for Whampoa and Leng Kee, suggested that the Minister seriously consider the possibility of repackaging the major projects in such a manner as to enable our local companies to participate. Breaking down big projects into smaller packages is one way. Another way is to institute joint ventureship between foreign and local construction firms to undertake local projects. Sir, this is important for the following reasons: (1) To ensure that our local firms are given a fair share to various major public projects. (2) To enable more rapid transfer of technology. (3) To enhance the process of skills upgrading among our middle and high level construction workers and technicians. Allowing unequal competition from among foreign firms in our local construction projects means encouraging the Japanese, the Koreans and others to bring in their technologies, their designers, their planners and their technicians to operate here, thus minimizing the chances of our local designers, technicians, workers and entrepreneurs from acquiring the desired knowledge and skill. In the long term, Sir, it undermines our capability of competing with foreign companies for contracts abroad. I hope the Minister would bear this in mind. Another area, Sir, which I would like to touch on is the retail sector. The Member for Leng Kee has already spoken on the effect of giant foreign retailers moving into Singapore towards our local labour market. Well, we are aware that the growth for this sector depends on two major factors among others.”
“Sir, I wish to join my other GPC colleagues in supporting the motion moved by the hon. Member for Whampoa. Sir, since the acceptance of the Economic Committee Report, we have seen positive and constructive measures taken to give our economy a new push and a new momentum. If the latest figures concerning our economic growth are of any indication, then I believe, Sir, we have good reason to be optimistic. However, Sir, I share the concern expressed by many Members of this House on the imbalanced nature of our economic recovery. Sir, I am particularly concerned with the construction, service and retail sectors of our economy. These sectors have not been responsive enough, making our economic recovery appear to be a bit lop-sided. I do not wish to elaborate on the problems faced by our construction sector more than necessary as this has been sufficiently touched on by other Members of this House. However, I would like to join them in appealing to the Minister to consider ways and means to strengthen this sector. Sir, construction is one of the sectors which contributed towards our double-digit growth in the past. It has tremendous potential which, if fully exploited, could contribute a great deal to our economy. While I agree that in some areas our local contractors are lagging behind compared to the big foreign contractors, I would like to join other Members of this House in questioning the wisdom of allowing big foreign construction companies to compete unfairly with our local firms. Sir, I am not advocating protectionism in Singapore, but I believe that we need to review the cost benefit analysis of such practices when our local construction firms are facing severe beatings from the recession and major reductions in our public housing project.”
“Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate. Sir, as a Singaporean, I am equally proud of the level of saving achieved by our citizens. The Government has inculcated the spirit of saving right from the beginning. As early as primary school, children are encouraged to save. As a result, Sir, the private saving and public saving in Singapore are considered to be one of the highest in this region. Some even comment that we have too much public saving that we tied our economy down. Apart from savings, Sir, Singaporeans are also encouraged to invest their moneys. In this respect, Sir, I would like to touch on one small area of investment, that is, venture capital incentive which was introduced by the Government sometime ago. Sir, under this scheme, investing companies and individuals may deduct up to the full amount of their investment any loss arising from the sale of shares in an approved company. At the same time, the company or individual may carry forward its losses for write-off against future profits. What I would like to know, Sir, is: has this incentive introduced sometime ago been effective in encouraging investment? And, secondly, how was the response from companies and individuals towards this scheme?”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in this debate. I would like to join the hon. Member for Nee Soon to express our sincere thanks to the Minister who is now reviewing the policy on the naming of streets in HDB estates. However, I would like to point out, as a member of this committee, we found that it was the HDB which is mainly responsible for the confusion and public unhappiness when it comes to naming streets in its estates. As an example, the committee during its deliberations had recommended that the new town in Bukit Panjang should not be named Zhenghua. However, the HDB was adamant and stuck to the name and we are glad somehow it has now been changed back to Bukit Panjang, a name which has a history and relevance to the people of Singapore. And with that I do hope that the HDB will consider, eg, with its new declared policy to retain Ponggol Road which has now been half expunged and probably retain Telok Mata Ikan, Tanah Merah and Somapah when it starts building Simei Estate.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that serves to illustrate how the Opposition in trying to criticize the Bill had gone beyond the bounds of reasonable and responsible argument by stating an excessive exaggeration in which even the press find it difficult to swallow. If such stunts are allowed in the press, we can imagine how our balanced, responsible, factual, accurate and fair press in Singapore would be tilted to one side and it goes down into the sewer. Mr Speaker, Sir, there are a lot of points I wanted to raise, but unfortunately time is so limited. I beg to support the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am only given five minutes to speak. The hon. Member for Anson has been given one hour to speak, I thought ---”
“One article praising him in a very glowing manner, creating a half-God in the Opposition Member for Anson, and on the other hand, putting down Singapore to an abysmally embarrassing situation. That is responsible journalism in the eyes of the Opposition. Let us be honest about the whole issue.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Bill. It is quite unfortunate that time is running short. But compared to all other speakers who have spoken before us today, I have the benefit of knowing both sides of the world, so to speak. I was a journalist. I was an editor and now I am a Member of this House. I think there are two important points which the Opposition had failed to grasp from the amendment. One is their unequal exaggeration. We have put this Bill in perspective. We have stated earlier that there are three existing laws that could curb the press. But despite the presence of all the three laws, we have yet to ban publications continuously like many other more liberated societies. The Opposition had failed to identify that it is the motive behind the law that is more important. It is not purely having the law in your hand. If the motive of having those laws in our hand is to isolate Singapore from the entire world, as what the Opposition has claimed, I think Singaporeans would stand to examine the practice of this Government for the past 25 years. The fact remains that there was not a case. Point No. 2, Mr Speaker, Sir. As journalists, there are basic tenets that they have to follow. They have to be accurate. They have to be factual. Their comment has to be fair, "fair" meaning taking into account all points of view. This is where our definition of responsible and credible journalism differs. Credible journalism, in the eyes of the Opposition, means newspapers and publishers and journalists who at all times report glowingly, putting the Opposition into a position that they are the only champions of the poor Singaporean. We had a good example in a dear friend of the Member for Anson who had written at least three articles in the New Straits Times.”
“I have repeated three times that the two names were given by the Member for Anson, not from the Member for Potong Pasir.”
“Will the Minister allow such land owners to beautify the existing buildings and surrounding area so that they will not appear as unsightly?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister consider alternatives other than the two: clearing the site and planting trees to beautify it or redeveloping the site?”
“Other ASEAN countries are also facing similar problems, although at varying degrees. I feel that the Economic Committee has considered this aspect when it said that recovery is possible within the next two to three years. But should the situation of our neighbouring countries deteriorate, I hope it will not, we must be prepared for a longer difficult period. Therefore, I would like to warn Members in this Chamber that there is no guarantee that such recovery could be achieved if the world economy and the region's economy are not marching towards a positive change. Mr Speaker, Sir, the package recommendations will only be meaningful if all parties involved - the Government, the employers and the workers - are sincere in wanting to get themselves out of this dark tunnel, so to speak. While the workers may be willing to undergo the toughest test of their lives, employers, big and small, local and foreign, must show equal sincerity. I have heard an unhappy report of foreign-based companies which have decided to pack for home, whatever their profits made here, by taking advantage of our recession to introduce cost-cutting measures, including retrenchment, by channelling out profits instead of ploughing it back here to strengthen the Singapore-based company. Such companies deserve to be severely censured because they have clearly transgressed the spirit and conscience of our economic reform. On that note, Sir, I reject the amendment moved by the Member for Anson.”
“The general impression prevailing among the man-in-the-street is that now that we have identified the problem areas and listed our action plan, in two years' time, everything will be okay, everything will be back to normal, and I think Members of the Opposition belong to this particular group of people. If something really is not right, they will be the first to say that we have committed serious errors, and this has been done today. Sir, before we are trapped with such unrealistic expectations, let us examine the external factors which are beyond our control but which are capable of upsetting our plans. I am referring to the economic conditions of countries that have tremendous influence on our performance towards the road of recovery. I share the belief that in order to secure a stable and healthy growth, Singapore needs neighbours whose economies are strong and vibrant. The more prosperous the region the better the chances for our recovery. Our trade with ASEAN amounts to about $23.2 billion or 21.2% of value of trade with all countries, Indonesia excluded. Among them, Malaysia which is our second largest trading partner after USA, has $17.5 billion trade with us. This is followed by Thailand, $3.8 billion, Brunei, $1 billion, the Philippines, $0.8 billion. The recent economic downturn, Sir, had not only affected us but also our neighbours. Last week the Sunday Times reported that Malaysia which has already suffered a decline in its commodity products such as rubber, tin, oil palm, has lowered its oil price by US$4 per barrel and this will cause them to lose $2.1 million a day. It was also reported that the economic growth for the year for Malaysia will be around 3%, down from earlier projection of 5.2%.”
“I hope that at some time the flexibility could be extended to the workers whose ability to pay their housing instalments is limited by their retirement. Perhaps some kind of arrangement could be made to enable their children to pay their housing instalment on their behalf. Mr Speaker, Sir, my proposals are far from being populist. There is no need to clap. We are not trying to make everyone happy by giving them help which might land us in greater and deeper trouble, such as calling for an indiscriminate use of the nation's foreign reserves. Nor do I suggest that we join the scramble for foreign loans to bail us out of this trouble. That would be painless but definitely a disastrous trap that no one with a sound mind is prepared to take. The measures proposed are a clear manifestation of our confidence in tackling the problems head on. It is a reflection of our strong resolve to overcome it through painful, albeit educational way. It may mean that the people are able to come out of the economic morass a bit bruised but much stronger than ever. But if we go for the soft options, such as that propagated by the Members for Anson and Potong Pasir, we will be creating a boneless society that will not earn the respect, admiration or confidence of others, let alone the investors. We have set the target and time-frame for our economic recovery - from 18 months to two, at worst, three years. Can we guarantee that this can be achieved?”
“These are sole bread-winners whose loss of jobs would mean a complete loss of the ability to fulfil basic needs of the family after having spent the money obtained from retrenchment compensation. For this group of people, there is real need for us to look into the flexibility of enabling them to continue with their lives. While I am not for hand-outs to be given to them, I believe that there is still a possibility of providing them with a lifeline through the existing mechanism at no cost. Sir, if we are able to accept that there ought to be an exception to the rule of across-the-board approach to the CPF cut, then these people would benefit from the possible use of their CPF money to sustain minimum expenditure needed for the family. Sir, I propose that such people be allowed to withdraw a certain amount, say, about $400 a month, during the period in which they are unemployed, and I think this is a suggestion against the proposal of using unemployment benefits, as suggested by the Member for Anson. Although I agree that such people are small in number, they are nevertheless most vulnerable to the current economic downturn. These are people with a low threshold of pain. Of course, this must be done after it has been proven that they have changed their attitude of not being choosy in their jobs and are prepared to accept lower wages on taking up new jobs and yet they are unable to find a job. The second cloud which is utmost in the minds of our people is their inability to pay the instalments of their flats due to the 15% reduction from the employer's CPF contribution. I am glad to learn that the Government is looking into the possibility of extending the repayment period and I hope that interest imposed on such loans could be lowered.”
“The painful logic behind this recommendation is that unless we are able to guarantee the inflow of investment and create the climate for investors to survive and make profits, there is no way we can ensure that they would not pack up and leave Singapore causing massive unemployment. If this is to happen, the Members for Anson and Potong Pasir will not be standing here talking about workers' salaries, CPF deduction from employees' contribution. Therefore, I believe that there is merit in the Government's strategy for economic recovery. I believe we are embarking on a historic change towards a new direction. However, while it is generally a laudable long term solution, we cannot ignore the short-term problems created by retrenched workers who come from the lower socio-economic rung. Figures released by the Ministry of Labour show that out of 90,000 job-loss, about half of them are Singaporeans. I believe that a substantial number of these retrenched Singaporean workers are low-income people who work to supplement their family incomes. They were drawn into the labour market out of sheer necessity to upgrade to a higher standard of living for their families. Having been quite used to drawing a relatively high family income, these people have made their salaries to be part of their family budget. A loss of employment means that they have to undergo a lower standard of living, requiring them to adjust their expenditure or looking for alternative employment even at lower salaries, so that they are able to support their family and make ends meet. However, there is yet another category of retrenched workers.”
“Now that the Report is out and the recommendations have been spelt out, it is time for action to put our economy into a new orbit and to bring it to new heights. Let us not look back and quarrel too much with the causes of the economic downturn, as has been done by the Opposition. Doing so would mean distracting ourselves from concentrating on the implementation of the solution. This does not mean that we should deny ourselves from giving our viewpoints on the Report. Despite the massive consultations conducted and widespread representation received resulting in in-depth studies done by various sub-committees, there is still room for further improvement. As the Acting Minister for Community Development has rightly said in the Straits Times, the recommendations appear to favour employers. However, this is the very area in which improvement has got to be made because over the long term we must realize that the thrust of its recommendations is to bring back our own competitive edge through cost-cutting measures so that firms are able to make profits, thus providing employment for the workers. But the Members for Anson and Potong Pasir, who are widely known for capitalizing on the slightest sign of what they consider to be an insensitive attitude towards workers, would certainly take this opportunity to criticize the Government. Of course, as usual, their criticisms are rarely accompanied by alternative and constructive proposals. I am fully aware that the proposed recommendations are meant to increase the inflow of investment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the point I would like to say here remains that it is the mental attitude of our workers which is most important in overcoming this problem. If the workers decided to take the retrenchment benefits and blamed the Government for not doing something for them and at the same time support the proposal made by the Opposition, by hoping to get unemployment benefits, then we are heading for trouble. Mr Speaker, Sir, we should not mourn the dissipating golden age of Singapore. We have to face a slow growth in place of a rapid one; a possible decline in the standard of living in place of rapid acceleration. All of us, employers, entrepreneurs and workers alike, who had benefitted from our past rapid economic growth and soaring indexes, will have to face the fact that our economy now is in serious trouble and the norms related to our economic behaviour and expectation have got to be changed. The negative growth of our economy and the 9,000 unemployment figure,in which 50,000 are our own citizens, are clear indications that we have a real problem before us. The Government which is known for its ability to tackle problems head-on had acted swiftly by setting up the Economic Committee led by the Member for Teck Ghee, and within 10 months after its formation the Committee has come up with its Report and recommendations. The Presidential Address is the culmination of a period which began with economic uncertainties, the setting up of the Economic Committee, its massive and in-depth consultations with people involved in various economic activities and the publication of its Report and recommendations on measures to be taken to put back our economy on healthy grounds.”
“He has answered that. But what I would like to highlight here is the fact that why did our workers opt for retrenchment benefits rather than be asked to be rechannelled or be redeployed?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think we should not confine ourselves to only experience happening in Singapore. We learn from what is happening around the world and obviously we can learn from the approach, spirit and strategy applied by various groups in other countries to achieve the political well-being and welfare of the people. Of course, my point is valid here. He justified his role as adversary in criticising the Government and ends at that. We believe that. After declaring that he is going to play a constructive role as an opposition Member, he ought not to place himself absolutely in a situation where he just plays an adversarial role. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson finds the Chamber a place not enough to argue his points. He had also taken what he sees as the common man's problems to the press. He had raised the question of how 112 retrenched workers from the PWD had not been given a job. He repeated that today by saying that Government had done nothing to help those who are affected by retrenchment. Has he done his own homework? I just spoke to the Minister for Labour and I was informed that out of the 113 affected (not 112), 95 of the workers opted to be retrenched.”
“Yes. He also raised the point that it is quite justifiable for the Opposition to play an adversarial role. Well, I would agree to some extent. But let me take a good example of how an adversarial role taken to the extreme would result in disaster. I think our memories of what happened to Sri Lanka, or what happened even to America during the Carter Administration illustrates the point of how the unions, the farmers, the manufacturers, fighting against Government policy, taking an adversarial role ---”
“He got seven sentences. Mr Speaker, Sir, when he raised the point of diesel tax, he was complaining about the poor income earned by taxi drivers and the unfair charges.”
“And then he noted a point that the Government called for sacrifices but the workers are to be sacrified. I would like to suggest that the Member for Anson do his own homework by checking it through the Japanese authority what is the average salary for a Japanese worker in every sector of industry. Are they lower or higher than us? It is important for us to inject facts into arguments before you just pick anything, any quotes, from anyone. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson too had clearly said that the Government had not done anything to those who are affected by retrenchment and recession. He called for immediate relief. And in no uncertain terms he said that we must give the workers employment benefits. He went ahead to suggest that we can use the surpluses and we can use the payroll tax and also the reserves. Well, I must say that this is a clear indication of a danger facing a Party which suggested that at any indication of minor problems we raid the foreign reserves. Such are the arguments, such are the contributions of his long-winded one hour speech this morning, Sir. To add to that, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir raised the question of taxi drivers, complaining about the decline of their income. Again, if he would be good enough to read the report in the Straits Times a few days ago, he would come across reports about the number of people queueing up to get a taxi licence. If the income provided by taxi driving is so unprofitable, I think Singaporeans would not queue up to get a licence. The fact remains that taxi driving in Singapore is still a profitable business.”
“--- that Singapore is a place of high salaries and low wages. Mr Jeyaretnam: I said a Japanese economist has said that.”
“Well, I repeat and you can check. A Japanese friend of his told him that ---”
“You spoke to a Japanese friend and the friend told you that Singapore is a place of high salaries and low wages.”
“Singaporeans are people with a particular mind and they would like to see practical solutions proposed, implemented, and results seen. He said that he had spoken to his Japanese friend, and I quote what he said. "Singapore is a place of high salaries and low wages." Do you deny that?”
“I am not giving way. He was arguing that point when he said that the Government had lost the moral right to rule. But can I say to this very effect that up until now we are still receiving many requests to be Singapore citizens, to be permanent residents here. Has Singapore changed to such an extent that you are driving people away? Either the Member for Anson is trying to mislead the public by saying that Singapore is such a rotten state that we are not attractive any more. He asked the Government to take full responsibility and to say sorry. Would saying "sorry" solve the problem? He rebutted by saying, "Yes, it helps." It does not help.”
“Well, let me quote. The Member said that, "the Government was aware that things were going to take a different turn but failed to take note, whatever they are or whatever was told to them, they refused to listen or to see whatever they read." And he quoted about having a Garden City in Singapore. This is a Garden City. But what I would like to emphasise now is, yes, Singapore is still a Garden City and it is still providing the kind of life that would still be attractive to many people.”