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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“Will you please sit down? I am not giving way. Some hon. Members: Sit down!”
“You said that. I have taken note of all your speeches. Mr Jeyaretnam rose ---”
“And they rely their criticism on unreliable sources. Let me cite an example, Sir. When it comes to identifying the problems facing Singapore, the Member for Anson quoted a story from the Guardian and yet the newspaper itself does not know that in Singapore there is no such Minister as Economics Minister. Yet this is the very source of information on which the Member for Anson is basing his arguments.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the last Parliament session I addressed the Floor by stating the fact that the ship known as "Singapore" could be successful only if there was a total understanding and complete cooperation from the members of its crew. Now, one year later, as the ship is going through a stormy weather and here we are trying to mobilize every crewman, every skilful person available, to salvage the ship, we have two Members of this House who decided to drill a hole into the ship to make sure that it is sinking. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Members for Anson and Potong Pasir, after listening to the Presidential Address, had nothing to offer in terms of constructive criticism.”
“May I know whether it will be in the early or latter part of next year?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, earlier, the Acting Minister mentioned about the plan to allow the use of CPF for educational purposes and that he is looking into it. May I ask him when will the announcement be made?”
“Although he has been called "Mr Average", Mr Wee is actually very energetic and a man of high aspirations. He is a man who aspires to advance himself because he has risen up from the post of clerk to that of a leading diplomat. Mr Wee is a very good example of the product of our democracy and our open system of meritocracy that enables the common man like him to rise up to the highest office in the Singapore society. Like Singapore, he has a high degree of resilience because at an age when others would withdraw from public service or retire, he is still steady, active and fully confident and ready to shoulder this new task. I am fully confident that he will succeed, and Singapore, I feel, is fortunate to be able to share the warmth and friendliness of his personality, as a person who is well-known in Singapore. With his vast experience as a journalist and as a diplomat, he knows full well the meaning of war and peace, the danger and harm of communal riots and civil war, and the sensitivities of national and regional politics, but his biggest advantage lies in his own curriculum vitae, character and personality. He can act as a bridge between the ruling elite and the masses. Through his actions that are padded with courtesy, respectfulness and integrity, he can easily establish close rapport with the ordinary workers or the professionals and intellectuals, and will be able to voice all the wishes, hopes and aspirations which are also the aspirations, hopes and wishes of Singapore. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the motion to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as President.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to support the motion moved by the Right Honourable Prime Minister to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as the Fourth President of the Republic of Singapore. Mr Wee is not a stranger to us. His excellent record of service to the nation by way of his career and social service goes beyond the borders of our country. Furthermore, since he was a former journalist and a resident of my constituency, his election as President is most welcome and is of special significance to us, particularly to me. On behalf of the residents of Kampong Kembangan and all the Members of this House, I would like to record our heartiest congratulations and highest appreciation to him, his wife and his family for having decided to come forward to serve the nation. Mr Wee's election as President marks an important change in the history of Singapore. It reflects the maturity of thought on the part of the multi-racial people of Singapore. This is the first time that a citizen from a non-minority community has been proposed for election as President, the highest office in the land. I am convinced that, after hearing the speech made by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Government has good reasons for proposing his election and is convinced that he is the most suitable person for this Office. I agree with this view. On the basis of his contribution to the nation, it is evident that Mr Wee's services loom much larger than the man himself. His election is most appropriate. He is a man of high integrity, a firm believer in and upholder of family life, friendly to all, most caring of the lot of the less fortunates and in his heart he has always loved peace among mankind. His election as President, therefore, is very significant to Singapore.”
“On a point of clarification, Sir. Does "several" represent all the workforce in Singapore, Sir?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on a point of clarification from the Member for Anson. The Member for Anson cited one case which he says that the worker has not been given a right and he goes round saying that that represents the condition under which workers in Singapore are placed under the PAP Government. Is he saying that one case represents hundreds of thousands of workers in Singapore?”
“I think that is the point which I need to drive home to the Member for Anson before he makes an allegation. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“Because I was a former editor. The Member for Anson should take the point that not being in the business does not equip him to be equally knowledgeable with those who have been doing the job for a long time. That is a point of fact that he should recognize, Sir, until the Member for Anson comes up with his proof and I want to see the two editorials being shown to all of us here in this House, I demand that he withdraws his accusation and apologize to the House. Point No. (2): Does the Member for Anson not realize that being Singapore citizens, journalists, regardless of whatever rank they are holding in the newspapers, have the sense of responsibility to the nation first and journalism second? The sense of responsibility among the journalists may clash with the Government if they have a very strong second point of view. And in this respect, through editorials, through stories, there have been cases where journalists challenge Government's views. If the Member is knowledgeable enough and he has read enough letters to the editors concerning various issues before the elections, he should know how even-handed the editors of newspapers have been, especially the Business Times and the Straits Times. Another point, Sir. Sense of responsibi lity is an over-riding factor when it come to running stories in.the newspapers. If the story is found to be seriously intimidating and could cause serious disruption in the social relationship, I think the conscience of the editors shall prevail arid he would withdraw the story or editorial. In this respect, there have been cases where stories were withdrawn before they were printed, and it was done not out of fear, out of being made to feel that they were lackeys of the Government, but out of a sense of responsibility.”
“Sir, a point of clarification can be given by a Minister if he is knowledgeable in this area. But I thought I am knowledgeable enough in the area of editorial writing.”
“Mr Speaker, the Member for Anson has made a very serious allegation about the newspapers in Singapore and I would like to enlighten the Member concerned so that he could be more factual in his speech. Point No. (1): Sir, if he accuses that on that particular date, 23rd March, the Business Times of Singapore did publish an editorial and had subsequently withdrawn the editorial, I would like the Member to prove to the House by way of distributing the two editorials and to justify the exact time in which the first editorial was withdrawn. Point No. (2): I have serious doubts, Sir, that the Member for Anson is fully aware about -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, point of clarification.”
“On return, they were not accorded the salary of a graduate teacher for one year for the simple reason that they had not taught in the secondary school for one year. Case No. 2 involves a graduate who, after scoring good results at the General Degree level, was offered a Master's course straightaway. On return to teaching, she was offered an Honours graduate salary instead of Master's. Case No. 3 involves two graduate teachers who took up a part-time degree. The one who had one more year's teaching experience was paid one year's salary point less than her colleague who is also a graduate and who took the degree course within the same year but who has one year's teaching experience less. Those are the anomalies that were brought to my attention, Sir, and I hope that the Ministry could reply. Another point which I would like to raise concerns population shift. We have seen a lot of new housing estates being built on this island. Areas with high concentrations of population have now been converted into areas of low population concentration. But there are still many schools found in that area. I would like to know what the Ministry has in mind for those "underpopulated" schools in order that we could use the school to its maximum. The last point, Sir. Following complaints about excessive claims of overtime from the school watchmen, we have seen many schools withdrawing their watchmen. In my constituency we have cases of schools being broken into during the weekends because there was no watchman in the school. I would like to know whether there is some plan prepared by the Ministry to overcome this problem of schools being broken into during the weekends.”
“Sir, I have a few points to raise. The first is on streaming and the labelling that goes along with streaming. I must say, Sir, that I accept streaming in principle, for the simple reason that nobody is born equal. But what I am particularly disturbed is the label used for streaming. The label is not only contradictory. For example, if you use "Normal" for primary and secondary schools, it does not convey the same classification. Secondly, Sir, labelling is a serious business in Singapore and people are so much attached to labelling. We spend millions getting people to prepare a logo for a certain company and we take pride in wearing the logo on our shirts and jeans. The point I want to say, Sir, is that labelling has now become a prominent factor in our urban life. We know a person by the uniform he wears and by categorizing him. The term used for labelling here, for the primary and secondary schools, has caused great concern among parents. The parents of children who are labelled as "Mono" especially, and "Extended", are very unhappy and are quite reluctant to tell the others that their children belong to "Mono' or 'Extended." It is the same with the secondary schools, Sir. May I ask the Minister to reconsider, to be more subtle and more selective in using the label so that it will take away any kind of embarrassment that could affect the family. The second point touches on salary anomalies. I have constituents who came to see me and asked about four anomalies involving graduate teachers. Anomaly No. 1 involves graduate teachers who had gone on study leave but who had not taught in secondary school prior to their university studies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have an amendment under this Head but may I be allowed to speak for five minutes.”
“Sir, I think the Muslim Religious Council should be congratulated for being very forward looking, able, in integrating modern life and the need for religious ballast by building so many modern mosques. In fact, after Phase 1, MUIS is now moving forward towards building Phase 2 mosques. What I would like to ask the Minister here is that in view of the recent recession and the slow-down in the construction industry, the drop in the price of materials, easier availability of labour and so on, will the Minister consider quickening the process of building Phase 2 mosques in Singapore by, if possible, using the fund from the Baitul-mal?”
“May I ask the Minister that in my constituency there is a case of a person who has accumulated arrears of rent by as much as $1,500 for a 3-room rental flat, and yet he is still staying in the HDB flat. Does that not exceed three months' rental?”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister how many months in arrears of rent are these people allowed to accumulate before they are evicted?”
“Can the Minister explain whether in old estates where most of the residents are old people living on pensions and so with lower purchasing power be able to enjoy a lower price of food if the rentals are lower for shops in such estates?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in some old estates there is a tendency for the younger income earners to move out into the newer estates.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to dwell quite at length on this topic in the Malay language, but since it is only five minutes more, I would like to seek your permission for the House to be adjourned, with the agreement of the Leader of the House. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn."- [Mr Ong Teng Cheong]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty- five minutes past Four o'clock pm. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SERVICE PAY OF FULL-TIME NATIONAL SERVICEMEN 1. Maj Fong Sip Chee asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (l) if he will agree that the service pay of full-time National Service personnel in the other ranks is too low for their normal sustenance; (2) if he is aware that generally, parents of these personnel have to subsidize their children to serve in the National Service; and (3) if he will therefore consider a reasonable upward revision of the service pay of these personnel.”