MR LOKE WENG CHEE (Tributes on Retirement)

Mr Speaker: I have to inform Hon. Members that Mr Loke Weng Chee, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, retired from its service on the 18th day of May, 1965, on attaining the age limit of 55 years. Mr Loke joined Government Service in early 1931 and was in April 1947 drafted into the service of the Singapore Legislature which he has served continuously from then until his retirement. Mr Loke became Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in March 1957.

I first came to know Mr Loke as a Member of this House in 1959. I found him courteous and always willing to listen to and advise those seeking help. As Speaker, I found Mr Loke very knowledgeable in matters concerned with Parliamentary practice and procedure. He was completely dedicated to his work and to the fulfilment of the duties of his post as Clerk of the Assembly in the best Parliamentary traditions.

I shall miss him but I console myself with the thought that he has left behind him in the service of the Assembly others similarly imbued with a sense of dedication to duty.

May I take this opportunity of wishing Mr, and Mrs Loke many happy years of retirement.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Government Benches, I would like to associate ourselves with the sentiments you have expressed. Mr Loke Weng Chee, as Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, has led us through a period of Parliamentary and Constitutional development in the history of Singapore. In this sense, therefore, his contribution towards our Constitutional progress is considerable.

As Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Loke has to be correct in his attitude, not only to Members on the Opposition Benches but also to Members on the Government Benches. And from our observation of his conduct in the affairs of the House, Mr Loke has been scrupulously fair to both sides. This, I am quite sure, the Prime Minister himself can attest to, as he has been on the Opposition Benches as well as being on the Government Benches today, and during this period Mr Loke was Clerk of the Assembly.

I would like, Mr Speaker, again to associate ourselves with your sentiments that Mr, and Mrs Loke enjoy a peaceful and a happy retirement, although knowing Mr Loke as we do, that he looks far younger than his age, we believe he at some future date could put himself to more active service in some other way.

Mr Lim Huan Boon (Bukit Merah): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I, on behalf of my colleagues, congratulate Mr Loke Weng Chee, the former Clerk of this House, on the service rendered by him during the last 34 years?

Sir, although most of my colleagues, including myself, are new to this House in regard to many rules and procedures of the Assembly, we did really have an interesting time with Mr Loke during the last two years of his term of service. Besides the proficiency and high efficiency in his work, he is a man of fine character, without prejudice whatsoever. He has been very friendly and fair to us, very patient with us, and especially has been very helpful to me personally whenever I, as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, called for a meeting.

Sir, it is therefore my sincere hope that any successor of Mr Loke will follow his example so that, through him, our opinions can be freely lodged and discussed. And it is the Government's responsibility to see that this fine tradition will flourish and be preserved.

Once again, Mr Speaker, let me thank Mr Loke for his assistance and guidance given to us during his time, and we wish him to enjoy himself during the remaining years of his life.