YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA'S SPEECH

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Order, order. I have to inform Honourable Members that His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara is due to be present in this Assembly, this morning, at ten minutes past 10 o'clock to deliver his Opening Speech for the Second Session of this the First Legislative Assembly of the State of Singapore.

The Serjeant at Arms left the Chamber.

Mr Speaker: The House will now await the announcement by the Serjeant at Arms of His Excellency's approach. After His Excellency has delivered his speech, the Assembly will stand adjourned to a day to be fixed by the Leader of the House in accordance with paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 13.

10.03 a.m.

The Serjeant at Arms announced the approach of His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara.

Mr Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (with Mace), and followed by the Clerk, the Clerk-Assistant, and the Second Clerk-Assistant, left the Chamber to receive His Excellency.

10.10 a.m.

His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara entered the Chamber, accompanied by Mr Speaker who was preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (without Mace), the Second Clerk-Assistant, the Clerk-Assistant and the Clerk.

On the Clerk announcing "His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara", the Yang di-Pertuan Negara delivered his Opening Speech.

His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Inche Yusof Bin Ishak): (In Malay): Members of the Singapore Legislative Assembly -

Introduction

In assessing the work of the P.A.P. Government during its first year of office, due regard must be paid to the limitations under which it had to work. These limitations were clearly and frankly stated, before the elections, in the P.A.P.'s Five-Year Plan. The people were aware what they could and could not expect of a P.A.P. Government. It was that the Government would operate under a constitution which did not give it complete freedom and independence of political action. It was emphasised that Singapore was a small island, with no natural resources and dependent upon a sensitive entrepot trade for its livelihood. "Existing conditions", the plan stressed, "are not favourable to the immediate attainment of a socialist society and a fully developed socialist society, and a fully developed socialist economy cannot be achieved as long as Singapore is separated from the Federation."

It would no doubt have been advantageous, before an election, to have-come forward with lavish promises of independence and socialism. But P.A.P. had no intention of deceiving the people into voting for it with promises it could not fulfill. It asked the people to vote for it on the basis of what it described as a "not over-ambitious" but "realistic" Plan, to quote the words of the Five-Year Plan. The overwhelming vote given by the people to the P.A.P. is proof that its analysis and strategy were acceptable to the mass of the people. If the Government was not prepared before the elections to deceive the people with promises to deliver the sun moon and stars, it has even less reason now to hold out false hopes. Democracy has collapsed in some countries in Asia because governments, in their eagerness to cling to power, embraced demagogy at the expense of integrity and courage.

The Government has no intention of recklessly abandoning the aims and policies arrived at after long and patient deliberation. A responsible Government cannot permit itself the luxury of changing with every puff of wind.

The correctness of the policy laid down in the Five-Year Plan has been shown by the fact that under the new Government, Singapore has enjoyed greater political and economic stability than it has known during the last 15 years. For the first time in the Island's history the interests of the masses have been more closely linked with the purposes of Government. The sense of oppression, humiliation and resentment which people experienced under colonial rule has slowly given way to feelings of national pride and self-confidence.

The first year of office was one of reorganisation, consolidation and preparation. It was taken up largely with clearing the ground and setting the course for the year of construction ahead.

The Government does not wish to give the impression that there have not been mistakes and shortcomings during the past year. It is aware that some of its measures should have been more carefully planned and expertly executed. In some instances, it moved too fast and without preparing public opinion adequately for the changes. Some of the legislation resulted in inconveniences or misunderstandings which could have been avoided by a little more foresight, a little more consultation, discussion and a little more explanation.

But these are errors arising from zeal and impatience to get things done. In the coming year the Government will temper zeal with understanding and its impatience by explaining more to the people the need for certain courses of action.