GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FISHERMEN AND FARMERS

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Minister for National Development what does the Government propose to do to assist fishermen and farmers in Singapore and its surrounding islands to increase their income.

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, as in most countries, the life of the fisherman is a most difficult and hazardous one. In the case of Singapore, the situation is further aggravated by the fact that Singapore's coastlines do not contain much fish, and also during the past years, due to over-intensive fishing, the catch has become smaller and smaller year by year. To improve the catch of our fishermen, it is necessary for them to take up deep-sea fishing and seek new fishing grounds, for example, in the South China Sea or the Indian Ocean. This is not an easy task, because deep-sea fishing requires both capital and technical skill.

There are other problems facing the fishermen; for instance, the exploitation by the middlemen and unscrupulous moneylenders, the lack of capital to buy the necessary gear and equipment, the poor living conditions of the fishing villagers, the lack of jetties where fishermen can land their catch.

These are some of the many problems which are receiving Government's consideration. At present, we can only do whatever we can to assist these fishermen. For instance, we have tried to improve the living conditions of the fishermen in the Southern Islands. We are proposing to construct a jetty at the 18th Mile, Jurong Road, for fishermen to land their catch. The situation cannot improve appreciably until our fishermen can also go to the Federation and Indonesian waters to catch their fish.

Mr Speaker, neither is the solution of the farmer's problems in an island like Singapore an easy task. The main problems of the farmers are, briefly, the shortage of land, the lack of cheaper fertilisers and seeds, the need for a better marketing system which will reduce the exploitation by the middlemen, better credit facilities and the lack of real co-operatives.

These problems cannot be overcome at present due to various difficulties. We are attempting to do whatever we can to help the farmers. For instance, we are carrying out experiments to obtain better strains of pigs and chickens, and experiments in pig-stuff and fertilisers. We are also providing better veterinary services for pigs and chickens, offering a ploughing service at cheaper cost and converting more prawn ponds from Singapore's swamp land.

Inche Mohd. Ali: (In Malay): As the majority of the fishermen comprise many nationalities, could the Minister explain whether there is any special programme whereby they can be assisted by way of giving them materials or cash?

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, we are putting out programmes to help the fishermen both in the island of Singapore and the Southern Islands.

$800,000 has been provided to help farmers and fishermen. A part of this money will be spent on promoting the welfare of these two sections of our community. Out of the $800,000, $200,000 has been earmarked mainly to help the Malay section of our population living in the Southern Islands and in other parts of Singapore. We are not in favour of giving cash subsidies to any section of the population, because we honestly and sincerely believe that the people of Singapore can look after themselves and they would not welcome any help from the Government in the form of cash.

Inche Mohd. Ali: (In Malay): It seems that this programme will be encouraged by the Government. With regard to assistance in the form of loans, could the Minister state what length of time is allowed for the money to be repaid and the interest to be charged on such loans?

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, I am afraid that the Member for Kampong Kembangan did not understand clearly the substance of my reply.

I have not mentioned that we have decided that we shall be giving loans to fishermen. We are only trying to find out the best way in which to help the 5,500 fishermen in Singapore with our limited funds.