MALAYSIA WEEK CELEBRATIONS (Total Expenditure Incurred)

Mr Tee Kim Leng asked the Minister for Culture to state (i) the total expenditure incurred in holding the Malaysia Week, (ii) the cost of the Malaysia Week Exhibition, (iii) the cost of "Malam Malaysia", (iv) the cost of posters, and (v) the cost of decorations, bunting and flags.

Mr Rajaratnam: The total cost for Malaysia Week was approximately $115,000, of which the cost of the exhibition was $8,932. The cost of organising "Malam Malaysia" was $6,175. The cost of posters was $2,570, and the cost of bunting, flags and decorations and illuminations was $19,176. Most of this expenditure was for labour cost.

Mr Tee Kim Leng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister for Culture tell this House who was responsible for the expenses incurred by the Brunei artistes who came to Singapore to perform?

Mr Speaker: That will be dealt with in Question 16*.

*Question No. 16 reads as follows

Mr Tee Kim Leng: To ask the Minister for Culture (i) how many artistes from Brunei took part in "Malam Malaysia"; (ii) what was the cost of their air passages; and (iii) what was the cost of their board and lodging during their stay in Singapore.

Mr David Marshall rose -

Mr Speaker: Order. It seems to me that possibly it will be convenient for Question 16 to be answered as well now. Mr Rajaratnam.

Mr Rajaratnam: Yes. This is the answer to Question 16. Twenty artistes from Brunei took part in "Malam Malaysia". The cost of air passages was met entirely by the Brunei Government. In answer to (iii), as regards the cost of board and lodging, the visitors stayed in Brunei House in Singapore without cost; expenditure on food was met by the Singapore Government, and this amounted to $923.

Mr Ong Chang Sam: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Culture, in reply to Question No. 15, said that "Malam Malaysia" Cost the Government about $6,000. Can the Minister tell this House whether the performers and artistes on that night volunteered their services or were they paid by the Government?

Mr Rajaratnam: No. As regards the Brunei artistes, I have indicated that it cost us nothing apart from food. As regards the artistes from the Federation, we put them up at the University Hostel, which cost us $7 per head a day. Those were the costs incurred.

But if - I am not quite sure but am just recollecting - Members opposite have in mind an allegation that they have made elsewhere that these artistes were professional people of ill-repute, may I say that most of the artistes are civil servants, workers, who have come here voluntarily to help celebrate Malaysia Week? I think it is unfair to make such an allegation against these artistes who have come here to help us celebrate Malaysia Week.

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, Sir, quite naturally I appreciate the generosity of the Brunei Government and of the artistes who took part in "Malam Malaysia". I would like to point out that the Minister indicated $115,000 as the overall expenses and yet gave us particularisation of only about $37,000. Could we know what was the balance, and a very vast balance, of $115,000 spent on?

Mr Rajaratnam: Certainly, Sir. I have the breakdown figures here. I only answer questions in relation to the items here.

There was the Malaysia Exhibition - illumination and neon signs, and we produced a booklet called Malaysia Heritage. Then there were "Malam Malaysia" decorations, temporary workers and bills in connection with printing and hiring of cars, and so on. It is a long list of items, Sir, but -

Mr Speaker: Order. I do not think, the Assembly should be inflicted with a long list of figures. If the Minister will send in those figures, they will be published in the Official Report.

Following is a breakdown of the actual expenditure incurred in connection with Malaysia Week Celebrations 1962. Actual Particulars Expenditure $ c. (i) Special effects to City Hall Building, Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall and Assembly Building (venues for Malam Malaysia and Rally, Exhibition and sessions of Consultative Committee Meeting respectively, as estimated by P.W.D.) 9,221 22 (ii) Installation of Neon Signs at City Hall frontage and Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall 2,350 00 (iii) Decorations of City Hall, Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall and Assembly Building 9,370 00 (iv) Malaysia Exhibition (exhibition from Malaysian territories, production of materials locally, special display requirements, effects, etc.) 11,131 83 (v) Malam Malaysia and Rally at City Hall Steps (Board and Lodging at University Hostels for about 60 dancers and musicians from Federation of Malaya and Borneo territories, payment for local artistes) 6,574 65 (vi) Incidental expenses for Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall (Over time charges and use of air-conditioner) 228 39 (vii) Printing of Malaysia Heritage (a four language publication to commemorate Malaysia Week and Fourth Meeting of the Consultative Committee and for distribution in Malaysian territories 58,710 00 (viii)Temporary workers for distribution of publicity material and other miscellaneous jobs 714 50 (ix) Expenditure for organisation of 4th Malaysia Consultative Committee Meeting (organised by Prime Minister's Office with the co-operation of the Ministry of Culture) 21,842 11 ------------- $120,142 70 -------------