Yeo Choo Kok
Singapore
“Sir, does the Minister agree with me that there is a strong possibility that JTC will be confused with another JTC, ie, Jurong Town Council, if there is one in the future? BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not know what municipal development may take place in Jurong.”
“Sir, I have two questions. First, will the Minister revoke the approval given to the distributor nominated by the FEER which has banned its circulation in Singapore? Second, what is the Minister's response to the FEER's self-imposed ban for the magazine in Singapore?”
“Sir, has any Singaporean businessman just mentioned suffered any loss as a result of the political rearrangement that took place not long ago in the PRC? BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Deputy Speaker, I think the question is whether any Singapore businessman has suffered financial loss as a result of the political upheavals in the PRC.”
“Sir, this question is for the Minister for Communications and Information. Has the Time magazine apologized to the people and the Government of Singapore? Have they appealed against the continued restriction on its circulation? And the second question is: what is the present position or the latest development of the AWSJ affair?”
“Sir, is it possible for the Ministry to conduct an inspection of vegetables at the Wholesale Centre on a daily basis? Is he aware that the issue of excessive use of pesticide was first published by a mosquito press in Malaysia in 1983? My last question is: why did the importers at first refuse to let the vegetables be sampled?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I just want to seek one clarification from the Minister. Referring to page 1 of the handout, paragraph 2 begins with the sentence, "It is open to all parents above age 55." Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we do have a lot of single persons in Singapore. What about CPF subscribers who are not married?”
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“For example, just as we have place an age limit on eligibility to apply for a driving licence, or an age limit on persons who want to go into a bar, we can place an age limit on cigarette smoking. Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe that cancer is not confined to a particular age group. Therefore, I hope the Minister for Finance will try his best to persuade his Cabinet Colleagues to give up smoking early. In this way, they could keep themselves healthy; on the other hand they as elders could literally set a good example to the younger generation. "in speech as in practice". 3.50 p.m.”
“At the same time, we should also hope and expect our Division I officers to be as hardworking and forbearing as our workers, If we are all imbued with the same sense of national consciousness and place national collective interests above our personal interests, then there should not be such frequent job-hopping from the Government service to the private sector, Therefore, I hope that in filling such vacancies vital factors such as personal integrity, character and dedication to service are taken into account. A capable civil servant without national consciousness is not a good civil servant. Mr Speaker, Sir, the only tax increase is that on tobacco. This measure should be welcome by the public for the reason that it will discourage cigarette smoking and reduce hazards to health. However, as the Minister has pointed out, despite warnings on the hazards to health and the ban on advertisements on cigarette smoking, tobacco consumption is increasing and many young people are taking to cigarette smoking, much to the regret of the Finance Minister. I believe many parents have the same feeling as the Finance Minister. We are all aware that not a few young people take to cigarette smoking as soon as they are inducted into the National Service. Since the Minister feels that tobacco is "poisonous" and smoking is an "anti-social" act and besides it would "increase the risk of lung cancer and cancer of the nose". I hope he and his Cabinet colleagues will try to find out, on the one hand, why our National Servicemen are taking to the bad habit of cigarette smoking so soon after their induction. On the other hand. I hope he will seriously consider legislation to place an age limit on cigarette smoking.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement this year came to this conclusion, "the financial policy outlined in this year's Statement is a relatively unexciting one." Viewed from the context of this budget, this conclusion is correct. However, certain exciting financial measures announced earlier, such as increases in car registration fees and road tax, and the way they were announced were not to be found in the Annual Budget Statement. We have no reason to believe that such unusual measures and the way they were announced will not be repeated before the next Budget statement. Mr Speaker, Sir, in his statement the Minister said that on 1st February, 1976 the total number of vacancies for Division I officers has dropped to 2,414. This is a large number of vacancies for Division I posts. According to his explanation, the reason is that the salary scales in the Government service cannot compete with the private sector for such personnel. The point is if these Division I civil servants have left their service merely because they want a higher pay, then I think it is better for such self-seeking officers to leave, This may be for the good of the Government and the public. However, if they leave the service not for monetary gains, but perhaps for the unfair allocation of duties or their superior officers have been too demanding on them, then the Government should do something to rectify the situation. Otherwise, such vacancies will never be filled satisfactorily. In order to enhance our efficiency and to compete in the international market, we cannot just hope and expect the workers alone to work harder and be forbearing.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to safeguard our industrial sector the Bill before the House is a timely one. However, in order to attract fresh investment, the Government should continue to give every assistance arid encouragement to existing manufacturers, whether or not the nature of their particular operations has stepped out of line with our long range objectives on account of shift in emphasis. For example, the current emphasis is on higher technological and less labour-intensive type of operations. However, we should not, because of this, leave those less sophisticated and labour-intensive type of operations uncared for, or even let them feel that they are unwanted. While costs and other market factors will most probably force some such operations to close down ultimately, we should in the meantime continue to give them every assistance and support wherever possible so that their exit will be made less painful. In saying so, I am not being sentimental. I am only concerned with the impression that has been created - that our attitude appears to be one of wooing the new, deserting the old, in our endeavours to attract more investments in our industrial sector.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in his speech the Minister has said that a statutory body is more flexible than a Government department as far as SCORE, as he calls it, is concerned. Can the Minister tell the House in what way a statutory body is more flexible than a Government department? Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, much time would be taken if I were to enumerate the `many ways in which the Corporation as a statutory body has greater flexibility. But perhaps I may point out a few examples. For instance, in respect of salary scales for its employees, the Board can work out its own salary scales which need not be approved by the Establishment Division of the Ministry of Finance. It can carry out business dealings or organise the sale of the products of the Prison industry without having to follow Government procedures, and so on and so forth. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the case of blood donors, what I advocated was a matter of principle. It is not a question of the blood donors being generous. It is a matter of principle. Since we allow charitable contributions to be deducted from income for tax purposes, we might as well allow blood donors some sort of tax relief. As far as the garden relief is concerned, this tax policy benefits only a small minority of the population.”
“Sir, any tax relief measure should be beneficial to all, poor or rich. This particular relief, at present, benefits the rich only and should be discontinued. Singaporeans should have been well-indoctrinated by now that it is their duty to keep or maintain a clean, green, beautiful living environment with or without tax relief or other incentives. Furthermore, these so-called private gardens are never meant for the pleasure and enjoyment of members of the public. Instead, members of the public will be accused of trespassing or be chased away by fierce dogs if they approach these private gardens. Sir, persons who have donated cash to charitable organisations are allowed to claim tax deductions, but no such tax relief has ever been given to blood donors. For these blood donors I think their public-spiritedness is recognised only in terms of medal awards and certain medical benefits. I do not mean that these blood donors are mercenary-minded. But since we allow tax deductions for maintaining a private garden and for cash donations to charitable organisations, why can we not give tax relief to blood donors, whose blood is more important and more precious than cash donations and private gardens? Sir, if the Hon. Minister for Finance agrees to this suggestion, I think the Blood Bank will appreciate the generosity and will not have to make appeals in the press for blood donations from time to time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as the present policy goes, we allow private house-owners to claim a tax deduction for maintaining a garden. Sir, the intention of this tax relief is to encourage people to help beautify Singapore and make it a garden city. But I do not think it is wise to make it a permanent feature of our tax policy. Otherwise the Government might be accused of being in favour of those who can afford to maintain a garden over an extensive piece of land, as far as the policy is concerned.”
“Sir, we hear so much about the credit squeeze these days. Indeed, in his Budget Statement a few days ago, the Minister has outlined the fiscal measures adopted to counter inflation. However, the average man-in-the-street or the petty trader is still confused as to what is going on. When he approaches his bank or finance company for credit facilities, he is either turned away or asked to pay fantastic rates of interest which all goes to add to his cost which, in turn, he will obviously pass on to his customers. This will inevitably help to accelerate the rate of inflation. Sir, I would like to request the Minister to inform the House of the specific areas where such a squeeze is being applied, and whether the measures taken hitherto have the desired effect. In one of his recent statements in this House, the Minister mentioned that the economic prospects of the world now looked rather more optimistic. I would like to know when the Minister is going to relax the squeeze, in the light of this remark. There are also fears expressed that if the squeeze goes on for too long the foreign investor will be frightened away, and this will slow down the economy of the country to such an extent that it might be impossible to pick up later on. Sir, I hope that the credit squeeze will not squeeze the economic life out of this country in the long run.”
“Sir, in view of the sentiments and concern shown towards Police brutality by my colleagues, I wonder if the Minister would consider setting up a parliamentary commission to help him look into the nature of Police brutality and to ascertain whether the increase in the incidence of Police brutality is due to the refined technique of the Police in dealing with innocent people, or is it due to the increased consciousness on the part of members of the public. There must be a reason why the recent movie "Walking Tall" was so popular amongst Singaporeans. Could the Minister enlighten the House on whether he would seriously consider my suggestion?”
“When our cultural missions went abroad there was usually a representation of mixed cultures - Indian, Chinese, Malay and even Western cultures. Some Iranians have been asking why we do not send our cultural missions to their country. Since there are many countries which are very interested in our culture, why do we not avail ourselves of this opportunity to give greater publicity to our culture abroad? Instead we just publicise the bad aspects of our country. Recently I returned from Geneva. I received a Singapore publicity pamphlet on tourism, it states that there are some activities in Singapore which can be found for 24 hours. The best activities will be from 7 p.m, to 7 a.m., especially after midnight. It also gives a description of certain streets which are most interesting and places which are of interest. I do not know whether it was published by the Ministry of Culture, the Tourist Promotion Board or some other organisation. It also mentions that in Singapore there are two languages and that certain streets have Indian names. This kind of statement is misleading because in Singapore there are four official languages. Certain streets are named after certain people. In publicising our culture we should have a proper systematic and long-term planning. We should not allow our culture to sink or float by itself. This is not very good for our country. I hope the Minister for Culture will try to get as much funds for cultural activities as he can so as to enrich our cultural heritage and to increase our publicity abroad in regard to our cultures.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, all along we have been putting stress on the economic construction at the expense of spiritual or cultural development. Everybody has a soul, a country has its soul too, a national soul. In the promotion of culture, we have never had any plans. Recently two cultural missions were supposed to go overseas, one to Germany and the other to Japan. In Germany, posters were put up in the streets informing the people there of the visit of the Singapore cultural mission for a performance. In Japan, the same publicity was given over TV, and even the Japanese newspapers announced the visit of Singapore's cultural mission. But at the last moment, the two trips were cancelled. I do not know whether the person responsible was aware of this. Even the high authorities, I think, are not aware of this. There were enquiries from an Embassy as to why the trip was cancelled. Is the Minister aware of this? On one occasion when the person in charge of the cultural delegation went to the airport to get tickets for the delegation, he was told that there were no tickets available because the trip was cancelled. This kind of haphazard makeshift arrangement speaks ill of the cultural plans and it has dealt a great blow to cultural activities. We have not done enough in regard to giving publicity to our cultural activities or heritage. We should not just inform other countries that we have Bugis Street, or that we have a Surrender Chamber. So since they know very little about our cultural heritage, we should give further publicity to our claims on traditional cultures, the cream of our heritage. We should afford opportunities for our cultures to be introduced to other countries which are very interested in our cultures. 7.30 p.m.”
“Sir, in view of another big promise from the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2108. Sir, I would like to know what are the breakdown figures of the grants to the four institutions of higher learning. And is Government prepared to increase its grant to Nanyang University, in view of the fact that public donations to this University have been noticeably declining over the years? Sir, the Minister has done a very good job in getting extra income for the Ngee Ann Technical College. I wonder if he could do the same for this fast growing University.”
“Sir, in view of the grand reply given by the Minister, I hope that in the not too distant future the staff of the two universities will be given exactly the same conditions of service. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy - (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1351.”
“Why cannot we standardise the designations, salary scales and working conditions? Under the present system, if a lecturer from the University of Singapore is transferred to Nanyang University, he can become an Assistant Professor or an Associate Professor, but his salary may be lower. On the other hand, if an Assistant or Associate Professor in Nanyang University, is transferred to the University of Singapore, he can only become a lecturer and his salary can be even higher. So some people may think that the standard of one university is higher than that of the other university. I do not know what plans the Minister has in this respect.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, * That the sum to be allocated for Head 1501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1005. Sir, the two universities in our country are doing the same job of cultivating and training our young people. But where administration and salary conditions are concerned, the two universities are afforded different treatment. The Nanyang University teaching and administrative staff are at a disadvantage. Recently, the salary of the Vice-Chancellor of the Nanyang University was raised to the same level as that of the Singapore University. This symbolises that the Ministry of Education is trying to standardise the salaries and working conditions of the teaching and administrative staff of the two universities. The graduates of the two universities are given the same treatment when they work in the public sector. The two Vice-Chancellors are getting the same salary. So there is no reason why the administrative and teaching staff of the two universities should not be standardised. Sir, the designations and titles of the teaching staff of the two universities are different. A University of Singapore lecturer has a maximum salary of $1,700 and an Assistant Professor in Nanyang University has a maximum salary of $1,600. A senior lecturer in the University of Singapore has a salary of $1,200 rising to $2,050. But an Associate Professor in Nanyang University has a salary of only $1,650 rising to $1,850. It seems that in the same country the Professor is not as good as the Lecturer. This sort of phenomenon is likely to lead to confusion and misunderstanding. 4.00 p.m. Sir, the salaries of the two Vice-Chancellors are the same. The teaching and the administrative staff of the two universities are doing the same job.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it seems to me that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had great difficulties in recruiting suitable persons to head several overseas missions. Out of the existing 17 overseas missions, four missions are without representative Heads and some of these top posts have been vacant for quite a long time. Sir, I do not think this situation is healthy and helpful in promoting or strengthening good relations between Singapore and those countries where the missions in question are stationed. Sir, there are several factors contributing to the vacancies of these posts. I wonder whether the out-dated and unsatisfactory terms and conditions of our Foreign Service are not .the deciding factor which deters persons of good calibre from joining the Foreign Service. I hope the Minister can quickly remedy this situation of having embassies without ambassadors. 3.45 p.m. Sir, in the past we were often led to believe that our future as well as that of Southeast Asia as a whole would to some extent depend on the way the war in Vietnam was to he settled. Now that a settlement has been reached through negotiations, the dust has settled and the post-war situation assessed. I think it is high time for us to be informed as to the way in which the negotiated peace in Vietnam will affect the direction of ASEAN and whether Singapore has, in accordance with the concept of a global city, found a realistic formula for establishing links with the post-war Indochina.”
“Any measure to increase and improve this service will be welcomed. Therefore, a community-sponsored institution such as the Chung Hwa Hospital should get Government support. Medical reliefs know no boundaries. The authorities should also give adequate training, management, study and financial aids to modernize and develop Chinese medicine. The new budget policy will no doubt give relief to taxpayers who support parents and grandparents. Though the amount of tax relief is very small, this however reflects the valued concept of the Government in preserving our good tradition. I hope that the Government will also pay attention to the smaller families, which are the trend, particularly those living in flats. However, due to limited space in these flats, taxpayers may not have their parents and grandparents living with them. And very often, we find that children of taxpayers do not also live together with their parents. After all the amount of relief for support of parents and grandparents does not seem too generous. Therefore, there should be no qualification of residence to the claim for such tax reliefs. Sir, in view of the current international monetary crisis and inflation, the presentation of a progressive budget for Singapore is a creditable achievement. I hope that with the judicious administration of the Finance Minister in this coming year we may achieve the targeted 15 per cent growth rate of our economy, as he had remarked in concluding his speech. 2.57 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in his Budget Statement the Minister for Finance has briefly described a survey of our economic performance in the past, which indicates that the current financial year will be better than the last one. There is economic progress with reduced taxation, and there will be a surplus of $20 million. This undoubtedly reflects our economic stability. The Government recently has raised the salaries of Government officers in the Superscale in order to retain them in our public service. This is one way to reward officers for higher performance. I hope that this policy will also be implemented in respect of the other categories of Government officers, because without their help the Government cannot achieve its objectives. Of the two considerations, one to encourage and to reward an officer for the work he has performed, and the other to prevent capable officers from joining the private sector, I must stress the importance of the first consideration. Whether it is a country, a society or an individual, it is not possible to survive on material alone. The spiritual aspect and value need to be encouraged, which will make the people lead fuller and more meaningful lives. Therefore, the revision of salaries of Government officers in order to retain their services so that they may not be attracted by the private sector, together with better treatment accorded to them, should be regarded as a kind of reward and an acknowledgement for the right spirit of service. According to the Finance Minister, medical facilities and services will be strengthened and improved in the coming financial year. Living in this tense and industrialised metropolitan city, there is an increasing need for medical services and care.”
“In this respect, we should not be wasteful in our use of resources, but instead try to aim at raising the quality in every field. 3.33 p.m.”
“If textbooks written by our second language specialists contain a lot of mistakes, we can well imagine the quality of textbooks written by non-specialists. Mr Speaker, Sir, from the incidents I have cited, in order to improve the teaching of the second language, first of all, the quality of administration in the Ministry, the curriculum committee and that of the second language specialists should be raised in addition to improving the quality of pedagogy and curriculum. Otherwise, there will be repetition of the incidents cited and our second language teaching will always be in a confusing and disappointing state. We are now going all out to implement our policy of bi-lingual education in order that our next generation will be effectively bi-lingual and that the society we are going to have in future will be more unified and cohesive. However, such a policy should not be exploited by publishers who are out to make money. Otherwise students, parents, and the public will waste their money in buying textbooks which are dubious. Mr Speaker, Sir, the task ahead is to mobilise our human and financial resources in order to achieve in qualitative terms. Towards this end, all Ministries and departments will largely be using computers. This is inevitable. At present the two universities are equipped with only small computers and their capacities are limited. I would advocate that a National Computer Service Centre be set up so that all the various Ministries and departments can make use of this computer service, and thus increase their efficiency. This will also prevent Government departments from scrambling for expensive computers which only have limited uses. I hope that such a National Computer Service Centre will be set up very soon.”
“This shows that the teaching and the curriculum of the second language in the past were far from satisfactory; and my argument is well-founded. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry has issued a booklet of certain simplified Chinese characters which are used by the Chinese press. This booklet is to help those who want to learn Chinese as a second language. However, in the Primary I Chinese textbook used in English schools, though the characters are of the simplified version, the workbook, however uses characters of the non-simplified version. Therefore, the same character appears in two forms. If this is already very confusing to those who learn Chinese as their mother-tongue, it will be even more confusing to those primary pupils who learn Chinese as a second language. I understand that after complaints have been made to the Ministry, the workbook has been withdrawn. The experts on the curriculum committee should be responsible for permitting such unnecessary difficulty to creep into the learning of Chinese as a second language. Besides, in the Primary II textbooks for Chinese and Civics, both the simplified and unsimplified versions are used. If such textbooks are used again, changes must be made. Similarly, there are faults with the second language textbooks for non-English schools. In the Ministry of Education there is one specialist in teaching English as a second language. He compiled a textbook for use in primary schools as a textbook on English as a second language. I do not know who approved it, but before it could be used, there were criticisms in the English press pointing out the many mistakes in it. As a result, this textbook was not released for use.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the President mentioned in his Address that we should not "allow foreign interests with large financial resources to manipulate our internal politics, by financing Singapore political parties, professional, academic and other groups". Because of our geographical position, our social structure and the changes in international politics, many foreign powers would like to know or even influence our political trends. And some countries even do not like to see us succeed gradually. As in the case of political parties, institutions of higher learning in our country will also be targets for manipulation by these foreign elements. There must be a reason why our students become indifferent to the society and the country in which they live, and for them to adopt a hostile attitude towards our society. If we are not vigilant enough, some of our institutions and students may engage in activities beyond the scope of their function under the pretext of cultural exchanges. On the one hand, we welcome international scholars to come here and genuinely help us improve our academic standards, in order to realise what the President has said in his Address that "we can become a centre for excellence in all fields important to our economic and cultural life." On the other hand, we should guard against the possibility that our institutions of higher learning or even the whole of Singapore will one day become a centre for international espionage under the pretext of cultural exchanges. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the addendum relating to the Ministry of Education, we are happy to note that the Ministry has laid emphasis on the need to improve the quality of teachers, teaching methods for the second language, and the quality of the teaching curriculum.”
“Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to enquire from the Minister into the reason for the fairly substantial increase in the PUB bills of many consumers in recent months.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the nature of the Minister of State's answer, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 003 of subhead 203. Sir, the building of the sports complex in the Nanyang University should not be delayed any more. Originally a vote of $700,000 was asked for a sports complex. After revision and reassessment, another request was made for $1.2 million, but this was turned down. In order to provide the urgent needs of students for sports facilities, the Nanyang University have condescended to cut down their original request for an Olympic-sized swimming pool for the sports complex. Because of that, the sum was reduced from $1.2 million to $900,000, but the request for this sum of money, which was made to the Ministry of Education, has so far not been approved. Sir, the Nanyang University urgently requires a sports complex. This time last year when we were debating the same item under the Development Estimates, the Minister of State agreed with me that of these three items in the Development Estimates - students' hostels, staff quarters and sports complex - the most urgent were students' hostels and the sports complex. Sir, at the present moment whenever it rains in the University, all sports or physical activities have to be stopped, because these activities are carried out in the open air and it is impossible to carry on in the rain. The building of a sports complex will not only solve the present needs of the students but will also provide facilities for the training of coaches and instructors for the various schools in Singapore. There is no reason for the Minister for Education not to press the Ministry of Finance further for the vote to complete the building of the sports complex as early as possible. 3.30 p.m.”
“Sir, notwithstanding the fact that the Minister of State had travelled several miles to attend lectures, in my days overseas I had also travelled about one hundred miles to attend lectures. But Singapore is Singapore. We cannot compare our situation with conditions overseas. At the present moment, there are 92 units of J.T.C, flats made available for Nanyang University students, but only half of them are occupied. Perhaps our Nanyang University undergraduates are not prepared to live in the J.T.C, housing estates, because they would have no choice but to travel a long distance to attend lectures. I hope the Minister will ask for more money from the Ministry of Finance to build more hostels. I understand that at the present moment two buildings have been put up by the Hokien Huay Kuan, but these are not related to the development plan of the University. However, since the Minister of State is not prepared to give a more satisfactory answer, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Messrs Ch'ng Jit Koon and Yeo Choo Kok- (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 003 of subhead 203. The Chairman: Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon.”
“Sir, it goes without saying that we must build in preparation for their use for the next 100 years or more. But at the moment the students have no place to put up. Before you can finish your 10-year development programme, the lot of them will not be able to live anywhere within the University campus. They have to put up in flats in Jurong Town together with the workers. Perhaps because of the present lack of hostels, many students are not able to join the Nanyang University. So you must have both the long-term plan and also the short-term plan. I hope the Minister will answer this question. Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, in order to get over the short-term problems, I think the Member knows that we have certain accommodation facilities in Jurong Town made available to Nanyang University students. To solve this problem further, perhaps we can look into the possibility of renting out premises or quarters returned to us by the British Forces on their withdrawal. There is one point I would like to make about this question of travelling. I think our students are being a bit spoilt! I do not see what is so difficult to travel six miles to go to the university to study. I used to travel 12 miles to study. Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“I hope the Ministry of Education will ask for the necessary vote to help Nanyang University to build all the necessary hostels to alleviate the hardship and to solve the problems of the students in terms of accommodation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 203. Sir, there is an acute shortage of students' hostels in Nanyang University. At the moment 101 Honours students, 120 Pre-university students and 27 Russian and American students of Nanyang University are all housed in Jurong Town Corporation flats. Because of a shortage of hostels for girls, three students' hostels and another half meant for boys have been converted into hostels for girls. So those local students who ask for allocation of accommodation in the University hostels are not allowed because they must give way to foreign students. And now there is a request for a revote. With the development of Nanyang University, there will be more students requiring hostel facilities in Nanyang University. Two-thirds of the land belonging to Nanyang University are not being used. Since Nanyang University had asked for a vote for students hostels and the vote was approved last year, how is it that this vote is carried forward to this year? If we have to wait for the approval of the 10-year development plan, then with the present administration of Nanyang University, the building of students' hostels will not be in sight for a very long time. It is the policy of the Government to assist Nanyang University in building hostels. I do not know whether the 10-year development plan has been accepted or not; anyway the details have not been announced. The development plan and the hostels are two separate matters; they are not closely related.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has not touched on one of the points I raised, i.e., whether he is going to increase the number of Area Offices, in view of the additional seven electoral divisions.”
“I wonder if the Minister will consider introducing legislation to empower the Area Officers to first warn the recalcitrants of the noise and trouble they make by ticketing them, and failing that, to penalise them by terminating their tenancy. Recently, a housewife in my area was robbed and stabbed inside a Housing Board lift. Not long ago a tragedy of a different nature also occurred in a Housing Board lift, but this took place in another area. If we have enough hourly-rated lift operators from the various Housing Board Area Offices to check on the safety and security of lift-users at certain hours and in certain crime prone areas, such as mine, then we can prevent similar tragedies from occurring in Housing Board estates in the future. I think the sheer presence of an official from the Housing Board Area Office will contribute to the sense of safety and security of the lone lift-user.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, it is well known that in recent years it has become the policy of the Housing and Development Board to encourage our citizens to purchase Housing Board flats. However, it seems to me that in some cases this encouragement has been over-enthusiastic. It has come to my attention that flat dwellers, who have applied for a transfer to bigger flats, as well as new applicants for flats have been told that they should apply for purchase rather than for rental of the new flats as this would shorten the period of waiting. This is not true, and everyone knows that flats are allocated on a first come first served basis. The waiting list of intending purchasers is, in fact, no shorter than that of those who intend to rent, as has just been pointed out by the Minister. Will the Minister, therefore, please instruct his staff not to be so aggressive in encouraging the purchase of flats. Many people who simply cannot afford to purchase flats feel that they are being bullied by this new tactic. Furthermore, I hope the Housing and Development Board will continue to let out 2-room or 3-room flats to poor but big families, because they just cannot afford to buy them. Sir, in view of the increasing population in Housing Board estates and the addition of several electoral divisions, will the Minister consider setting up new Housing Board Area Offices so as to lighten the burden of the present offices, and so make them more easily accessible to the public? Sir, many Housing Board tenants have lodged complaints against their noisy neighbours, but it seems to me that they are to no avail. Some tenants have even abused the use of the common corridors to the annoyance and irritation of other tenants.”
“(16) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2108.”
“With the various measures proposed in the Budget, we will be able to achieve and to maintain an annual economic growth rate of 15 per cent. 3.07 p.m.”
“Of the six tax relief measures, that for accelerated depreciation for industrial anti-pollution devices is the most meaningful to the health of our people. The other reliefs will not benefit our people as much as this one. Our people, be they property owners or otherwise, have the right to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. The Government is expecting a loss of $3.5 million in revenue by implementing these tax reliefs. This shows that the interest of the masses is not forgotten. If the factory owners delay the installation of anti-pollution devices in their factories, then the Department concerned will have the right to take enforcement measures against them forthwith. As the Minister has said, these six tax reliefs are meant to assist Government's economic and social policies. The Government has all along been trying to promote and to preserve the good cultural characteristics and heritage of our people and also to uphold the family link and good tradition of piety towards one's elders. All this is worth preserving. We can achieve this if we encourage our people to do it through our taxation policies and measures. I hope the Minister will consider providing tax reliefs for taxpayers who maintain their parents. At the moment there is tax relief for the taxpayer's wife and children. Since we are going to increase the remission of income tax from $100 to $300 per annum for expenditure on maintenance of gardens, I hope that at the proper time the Government will also allow taxpayers a certain relief for the maintenance of their parents. The painless Budget for the third year presented during a situation of international monetary crisis is most satisfactory to all.”
“Sir, the present Budget is not only the third painless Budget in the last three years but it also provides six tax reliefs, especially in a situation of international monetary instability and the final phase of the British military withdrawal. This undoubtedly reflects our strong economic position and it provides a boost for the attraction of investment, both from Singapore and abroad. Obviously, the emphasis of the Budget is to meet the problems and the consequences of industrialisation and commercial development in the coming years. As the Minister for Finance has said, our aim is to transform Singapore which has an economic growth rate of 15 per cent into a regional centre for brain services and brain service industries within 10 years. This aim is very fitting to a country like ours. We should make full use of the good qualities of our people and try our best to develop industries which do not occupy large stretches of land, so that we may achieve and maintain an annual economic growth rate of 15 per cent. This will also help to complement the development of our neighbouring countries which have large expanses of territory. According to the Minister, earnings from tourism continued to grow and showed an increase of 17.2 per cent in 1971 as compared with that for the previous year, 1970. However, the Minister also said that the hotel occupancy rate has fallen from 73.5 per cent in 1969 to 70.7 per cent in 1970 and down to 65.4 per cent in 1971. This shows that the hotel occupancy rate is going down while the number of tourists coming to Singapore is increasing. The Tourist Promotion Board should work out a solution, otherwise its expenditure on publicity and promotional efforts to attract more tourists will not be justified.”
“Can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House when such a traffic lighting system at the crossing will be installed?”
“Then the activities and planning of these institutions would be properly coordinated, planned and directed to function satisfactorily. That would greatly help in teaching languages, both inside and outside the schools. 4.20 p.m.”
“Because of the present lack of mental pabulum, even undesirable publications are welcomed by many. The Minister for Culture says that the Government has recently confiscated and destroyed about 20,000 copies of undesirable chain-picture publications meant for children. I do not know the number of such publications for children and adults that are still in circulation. But prohibition and confiscation are passive measures. These undesirable publications are brought into Singapore because there is a cultural and spiritual vacuum. The best way to fill that vacuum is to produce our own publications. We have many writers and painters. The Government could utilise their services and ask them to produce educational, meaningful and desirable articles for publication. Only then will we be able to counter such undesirable publications and reduce our dependence on imported ones, and supply healthy publications to our citizens. Mr Speaker, Sir, we are a multi-lingual society and the Ministry of Education must improve the technique of teaching the second and even the first language. Research has shown that the best time for children to learn a second language is when they are under 12 years old, i.e., when they are in the primary school. Therefore, we should concentrate on the teaching of languages during this period to get the maximum effect. There are language laboratories in the various institutions of higher learning and the Adult Education Board. But there is no co-ordination and co-operation among these institutions in the teaching of languages. The Ministry of Education can therefore set up a unifying body, such as an advisory centre on the teaching of languages among the institutions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore is a country mainly dependent on industry and commerce. In order to keep up with our industrial development, we are entering the field of technological training. We have done a great deal to improve the teaching facilities at the Polytechnic to turn out enough competent technical and engineering personnel for our industries. All this is very correct. On the other hand, greater efforts are still needed for the development of managerial and executive staff and personnel for our big companies. The recent incidents involving Eupoc, the Starlight company and a British financial group show that we lack managerial talent. The President has also commented in his speech that "it is a sad and painful example of how poorly we run some of our limited companies listed on the stock exchange. We have to acquire sophistication and expertise to run large corporate holding companies and their subsidiaries." We must do all we can to train such personnel, especially in the light of our commercial development and the process of modernisation and professionalism now under way. Our two universities at present conduct courses on business and industrial management. In view of the acute shortage of such personnel, we must make a systematic and better use of the facilities in the two universities to meet our national requirements. We could then have more of such personnel for our industries. With the courses jointly conducted by the two universities, I believe we should be able to get suitable personnel. The President has rightly said that food alone is not enough to bring up a good citizen. We must have proper educational and cultural activities. We must provide the mental pabulum needed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the fact that I shall not have enough time to engage the Minister of State for Education in a long debate, I do not wish to move my amendment. The sum of $27,166,960 for Head 41 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 51 -”
“Since the Minister of State is so concerned with Nanyang University and is prepared to give more aid than on a dollar-for-dollar basis, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on a point of clarification. The Minister of State for Education has said just now that since I am a member of the teaching staff of Nanyang University, I should be aware of the position in the University. As an ordinary lecturer, I cannot go round Nanyang University asking for details regarding the position of the University because if I were to do so, I would be called up by the Minister for Education and asked why I should put my finger into every pie Sir, it was Nanyang University which first proposed a plan for the sports complex costing $620,000. But after a review made by the Public Works Department, it was increased to $700,000. But on further, reconsideration, $1.2 million is actually required. I do not know whose fault it is. Since a provision of $1.2 million has been asked for and since the Minister of State agrees with me that these two items are important and require urgent attention, I wish to know why immediate approval is not given for this money. 4.45 p.m.”
“Sir, on a point of clarification. Dr Lee Chiaw Meng remained standing.”
“I am the Member for Delta, who is a graduate of Nanyang University.”
“Sir, I am not a member of Nanyang University. I am the Member for Delta.”
“Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Government is giving full support to this plan, or whether it is implementing it in stages. Sir, we have always said that we are trying to build a rugged society but the Government is not giving full support to the building of a sports complex in Nanyang University. This is a matter for regret. As far as I know, the Government department concerned has already estimated that a sports complex of this nature will require about $1.2 million. This being so, why cannot the Ministry of Education be generous enough to give all the money required and let Nanyang University have its sports complex? The land for this complex has been levelled, but construction work has not yet begun. So I hope the Minister will reconsider the vote for the sports complex for Nanyang University.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, earlier in this House we heard from the Minister for Science and Technology, in reply to questions raised, that the Government is spending a lot of money on the development of the University of Singapore. It was a very rosy picture painted by the Government. It is, therefore, my hope that the Government will give similar treatment to Nanyang University. Sir, Nanyang University happens to be in my constituency and, therefore, the question of students' hostels concerns and interests me. Because of the lack of hostels, the students have to lodge in the cottages and attap huts in the vicinity of the University. Those students who are unable to get accommodation have to stay a good distance away from the University. They have to spend a lot of money and time commuting between their homes and the University. Sir, I am sure you will agree that, because of a shortage of hostels, the students suffer great inconvenience. Their studies are also affected because of this. The construction of students' hostels in Nanyang University is a matter of great urgency and should be carried out forthwith. Sir, Nanyang University has all the land it needs, and there is no problem of getting it. Since the University has the land and the need for students' hostels is so urgent, we hope that the Minister will give the money straightaway to the University authorities to build them. I am sure that Members in this House will support this allocation in the Development Estimates, and will also support a supplementary vote for this purpose if it is found necessary. Sir, the staff quarters are estimated to cost about $2.8 million, but the Government has only allocated $500,000, which is less than one-quarter of the actual estimate.”