YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA'S SPEECH (Debate on the Address)

Debated resumed.

5.32 p.m.

Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as our country is holding its first parliamentary sitting today, we are going through various feelings - the same feelings which we had on the 9th of August when Singapore became independent. We are filled with a sense of pride, confidence, self-reliance and courage. We have confidence because we have the support of the people. This is not something that only happens today, but is something that has a historical basis of 11 years. We must have courage, because we are not working in a no-man's-land in facing various kinds of enemies, including the racialists and the Communists. We must not kow-tow to them.

The policy speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara has given us great encouragement. In the four months since Singapore achieved independence, we have experienced the initial stages of trials in independence and nation-building. In these four months we have not met with troubles such as racial disputes. This fully goes to show that our people have accepted the leadership of' our Party government, and have at the same time manifested a high degree of co-operation. I believe the growth in the strength of patriotism is a trend that cannot be stopped. We all know that the opposite of patriotism is treason, just as the one Party that opposes the P.A.P, is the Barisan Sosialis. The Barisan's sabotage action against our national defence is something that cannot he pardoned. They oppose the setting up of British bases in Singapore. Their main purpose is to disarm Singapore. They are also opposed to the setting up of a volunteer force in Singapore. This is another manifestation of their intrigues. When lunatics know only how to put forth lunatic slogans, we must in addition be on guard against their destructive acts and sabotage. We must also go a step further to crush their intrigues. Let them find out that they are only the children of Satan. We want to brandish our sword of justice and cut them down, root and all.

Our feelings can be said to be the continuation of the feelings which we had on the 9th of August. In the four months past we have been prepared to face them. We are ready for the battle to meet the traitors to this country.

The policy speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara shows our determination. At the same time, it also shows that we are fully prepared to accept the onerous task put on us by the people. We fully believe that such a tiny thing, like the Barisan Sosialis, however it may struggle, cannot withstand the collective attack by the people.

The policy speech by His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara merits our highest respect and gratitude. We want to show our determination to go according to this policy speech and advance forward firmly in order to bring to fruition the future we have in mind, which will be a golden, shining era. The record of the P.A.P.'s achievements has been one of victory to victory - from one glorious era marching towards another more glorious era. But the record of the Barisan Sosialis is one of going to hell, from the 16th floor onto the 17th floor of hell, and further from the 17th floor onto the 18th floor of hell.

Mr Speaker, Sir, here I would like to express my support to the Motion by the Prime Minister.

5.39 p.m.

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am here to speak only on a few selected items.

Economically our State has achieved praiseworthy progress. Apart from that, I have nothing to say regarding Economics.

In Foreign Affairs, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara has not mentioned anything in detail and I think there is a good reason for that too. Our State, after achieving independence, is going to function independently for the first time in this field.

After fighting colonialism successfully, the Afro-Asian countries are struggling hard to establish a new society, and we should co-operate with them. At the same time, we should also respect the countries which like to establish friendly relations with us. We have a non-aligned policy and our status here is very important. We are in a very strategic position; so if we get involved with the big powers, it will bring ruin not only to us but to the whole world. Our Government, which has already announced its policy very clearly, will, I hope, establish foreign missions in friendly countries.

Mr Speaker, Sir, next I wish to touch upon Security and Defence. We have already overcome the pro-Communist elements and the anti-national elements internally, but this alone is not enough. We have to fight against the external enemies. In order to facilitate this, the Government has already tabled an Army Bill. I know this is going to cause a burden to our citizens, but as an independent State we have to bear this burden since it is our duty to defend our country.

I wish also to speak about the duties of our Government. In Housing we have achieved very much success, and we are among the advanced countries in this respect. Foreign visitors who come to our State are praising our housing programmes. Even our hostile neighbours do not hesitate to praise our efforts here.

Our Government which has increased the housing facilities should also look into other fields.

I am now talking about agricultural land. We have limited agricultural land in Singapore. The Government, which is encouraging the building of more factories to give employment to the increasing population, should also concentrate its efforts on reclamation of land for agriculture. We cannot be looking for favours from other countries to supply us food. We should be self-sufficient in this respect. So I hope the Government will concentrate its efforts in this field.

In this connection, Mr Speaker, I wish to touch on rural development. The Yang di-Pertuan Negara in his Opening Speech has stated that the Sungei Poyan and Sungei Pandan areas will be reclaimed for agriculture. I think this will not satisfy our needs. We should reclaim more land for agricultural purposes. If we go on concentrating on other programmes without concentrating on this problem, the other problems will become less and less, whereas our food problem will become bigger and bigger. We have to raise the living standard of our rural population. I know that our Government has not forgotten them completely. What I wish to state here is that the facilities or the privileges that the urban population are getting from the Government should also be made available to the kampong people, who should be supplied with more water and electricity. Farmers should be in a position to bring their products to the markets, and lot this, agricultural roads should be made for them. The Veterinary Department should serve all corners of the State. The Government should be very careful in this respect.

I wish to touch on Health now. There are very few Asian countries which have good health facilities and our Singapore is one of the very few countries. We have more and more clinics now, but the crowds are getting equally big in number. `To overcome this difficulty, I hope the Government will increase the number of doctors working in the clinics.

As far as Social Welfare is concerned, our Government is competing with the more advanced countries. Destitute and disabled persons are given aid by the Government. This is not found in most countries. We have welfare homes for aged persons and boys and girls. This is one of the duties which the Government has to perform for the people, and it has shown that it does not forget the people and its duties.

Regarding Community Centres, I wish to state that these are good in bringing people of all races together. They have facilities to exchange views at these places. I wish that the Government will extend these good facilities to all the constituencies. And with this remark, I conclude my speech.

5.50 p.m.

Inche Mahmud Awang (Kampong Kapor): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, today is the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Negara for his Speech on 8th December. Since then until today, we have not seen a single Barisan Sosialis Member present. The reason why the Opposition Barisan Sosialis could not attend since the 8th of December is that they have nothing to debate in this Assembly for the benefit and welfare of the people in Singapore. We have read in the papers that the Barisan Sosialis say they have boycotted the Assembly today. In my view, they are neglecting their responsibilities of giving their views as representatives of their constituencies. Their constituents had hoped that they could put forward their views and difficulties. The people of Singapore are now aware that they are being cheated by the Barisan Sosialis. As we know, it is the same as the Member for Hong Lim who had neglected his responsibilities. Therefore, in the by-election, the voters chose a Government Member. We are prepared at any time - when we face the Communists, communalists and colonialists - to come here to give our opinions and views for the benefit of the people of this country. We have fought them since 1961. We opposed them when they said that we had sold out the people of Singapore and that merger was not right. As a result of these actions, they co-operated with outsiders to crush what we had done from 1961 to 9th August, 1965. However, Singapore has been pushed out of Malaysia and the Barisan Sosialis say that the independence of Singapore is not true independence. We do not understand their intentions. We have said before, in our campaigns for merger, Malaysia, the 1963 elections and the by-election at Hong Lim, that the Barisan Sosialis have foreign masters. Perhaps one of the reasons why the Barisan Sosialis have been absent since 8th December, is that they still fear what will happen to their friends and our neighbours. They will join together sometime later.

However, let us see what are our responsibilities to this country. No matter who our enemies are and what their parties are, so long as we are ready to do our duty to our people in achieving a multi-racial society, we can live happily. I say so, Mr Speaker, because every community, not only in Singapore, but also in the world, must co-operate with one another, co-operation between one country and another. In other words, if our country wants to survive, the people must co-operate with one another so that the country can progress. So is our relation with other countries. We are not like the Barisan Sosialis who are by themselves. "If we rule the country, we can prosper." That is the wrong view. We have reckoned that if we want to live, we should co-operate with one another. Until today, we believe and hope that our neighbouring countries will give their services to the people of Singapore and we will also give our services to the neighbouring countries. It is so because, as I have said, countries must have relations with one another. There are leaders who do not believe that a multi-racial society can survive. They think that just because a country is independent, it can live in peace and prosperity without co-operating with other countries. We believe that world opinion will not agree with that. By such stupid actions, the result would be that the people of Singapore, including myself, who come from neighbouring countries, would become the victims. We as leaders of the State should not be afraid of any political Party. We should be courageous. We believe they are not fighting for the people of the country. They are fighting for their own self-interests. They are different from the leaders of Singapore. We fight for the people of this country, no matter where we are from or what we get. We do not have the intention of becoming representatives of the people in order to increase our prestige and self-interest. This is far from it. I do not know. Because of this, the Government of Singapore has regrettably introduced the work permit scheme, which will be carried out soon. This was not our original desire, but it has been introduced because of those people who do not have the best interest of the people at heart. Because Singapore wishes to survive, and must survive, it must see that the people from other States who are offered jobs here must give their best services to this country. Although we are only a small island, we are prepared to work hard for the prosperity of the State. For that reason, people from other countries come to this place to earn their living which is better than in their own countries. We do not grudge them that provided they do useful service. But we are not prepared to shoulder the responsibilities which should rightly be borne by neighbouring countries. Because of this, we have to find ways and means by which the livelihood of our people can be safeguarded. Every effort is being made to bring about a Common Market, but unfortunately no agreement has been reached in the interest of the people of the respective countries. Although these neighbouring countries pay no attention to the welfare of their citizens, we on our part have not given up hope; we hope that something good may turn up for the good of all. We hope they will realise that our efforts are for the benefit of us all.

At the time of nation-building, while we were keen to co-operate with them, and facing confrontation, we were prepared to give our services in the interests of the people, not only of our country, but also of our neighbouring countries. However that may be, the people are not aware of this and should know what has been done by the leaders of the State. I do hope that when this work permit scheme is carried out, no step would be taken to close the Causeway. I say that the work permit scheme is for a definite purpose. We should not stop the entry of people from across the Causeway. We would like to see prosperity in our neighbouring countries, because then the people in these countries will be able to come and enjoy the sight of tall buildings and other pleasant sights.

If there is to be such a check, we should reconsider the matter, so that these benefits are not lost to the people of the neighbouring countries. Because of this, our Government finds it necessary to have the work permit scheme. It has also to impose certain restriction on students who are not citizens of Singapore. We know that the citizens of neighbouring countries come to Singapore to earn their living. Then they go back home to get married and bring their wives back to our country. This places an extra burden on our country. The children of such parents become a burden to our country. If the leaders of the country will bear this matter in mind, then I believe such a scheme will not be necessary. But because it is not so, such a scheme becomes necessary.

What has been done by both countries is inter-related and is directly connected. That is what I have stated just now. We cannot survive in isolation. As human beings, we must have all the necessary limbs and parts of the body. We cannot exist merely by drinking water. There must be food as well. Without them, we cannot live healthily. That is the way with life. The leaders of the countries must bear all this in mind and attend to the welfare and wellbeing of the people.

The Barisan Sosialis have not appeared since the opening of the present Session. I believe they have nothing to contribute to this Assembly other than to say that we are stooges of the West, and such-like terms. This is what they are good at in this Assembly. We, as responsible leaders, debate everything that is useful and important for the welfare of the people. The responsible representatives of the people are here to point out any weaknesses that arc to be found in the Government.

We have seen what has happened lately in the Hong Lim constituency. The people of Singapore have, from time to time, proved sound in their calculations. The welfare of the people of this country must be based on sound calculations.

The Yang di-Pertuan Negara touched upon housing in his Speech. We are still endeavouring to make further progress and to offer our services to the people by constructing more flats. We are finding ways and means whereby we will be in a position to charge reasonable rates which the people of Singapore can afford to pay. It does not mean that we should rest on our laurels. But we are determined to progress economically and if possible to provide "free of charge" flats to the people of Singapore, because we administer the funds on their behalf. We are not winning lottery stakes when we build our flats. As we are responsible for public funds, we have to be careful with our expenditure.

As I have said earlier on, if our economy permits, we will not only build low-cost flats, but we will provide' "free-of-charge" flats for the people. Originally, the building of these flats, was vehemently opposed by communalists. When we started to build them in areas which were not in their constituencies, they had nothing to say. But we were opposed by the Barisan Sosialis when we had to demolish houses occupied by Chinese farmers in order to make way for flats for the welfare of the people. When we built flats in the Geylang area, the communalist parties made a fuss because the land acquired belonged to a group of' political Party leaders who tried to mislead the people by telling them that these flats were fit only for pigeons, as has been said by the Member for Geylang Serai. Now that the flats have been built, the Malays who believe in a multi-racial society are seizing the opportunity to live in them, and these same communalists have now formed a housing society to purchase flats built by the Singapore Government.. Originally, they said that the Malays were not accustomed to Jive in flats because they could not rear poultry and so on, and they further alleged that such flats were fit only for pigeons. But we maintained that in the interests of the people of Singapore, the building of flats must be increased so that people who live in cubicles, which adversely affect their health, can live in such flats. The response from such people has been so tremendous that the communalist leaders began to change their attitude, and they are now buying flats from the Government.

On this subject, I cannot say whether the Minister for National Development has made a slip by selling houses built by the Singapore Government to the Malay housing society. If this society wants to build flats, let it first acquire land, and then build them after which they may be sold to their members. They criticise the flats, but at the same time they contact the Housing Board for the purpose of buying flats! As the Singapore Government is desirous of assisting the Malay housing society, it does not object to the flats being bought by this society. I feel this is out of place, and I hope the Housing Board will be very careful in future because in such matters we have been fooled by the communalist leaders. Furthermore, they mislead the people by provoking and agitating them. Since Singapore was separated from Malaysia, they have changed their stand and they no longer pose a threat to our security. In the course of discharging our responsibilities to a multi-racial society like Singapore, we must be on the lookout for these communalists who are out to break up the unity of the people. Although they have formed a united front, their main design is to create dissension among the various races, .and if we smack them down, the multi-racial society in Singapore can live in peace and happiness. In the small island of Singapore, we must realise the extent to which communalism can be practised.

Mr Speaker. I would like to speak on trade unions. It was stated in the policy Speech of the Yang di- Pertuan Negara that the Government will promote democratic and non-Communist trade unions to ensure the success of the non-Communist democratic trade union movement. In 1961, there was a break in the N.T.U.C. The N.T.U.C. believe that the workers comprising the various races will succeed in their fight against the communalists and Communists. In our struggle, the N.T.U.C. is the backbone. It has worked very hard in order to bring about understanding in the ranks of the workers so that they may not be misled by the communalists. During the time of the referendum, we worked very hard. We have been successful in improving the lot of the people of this country. They understand well the efforts of the Government to bring about a better understanding of the labour movement in this country. The Labour Movement has worked very hard to improve the livelihood of the workers of this country. It is conscious of its responsibility to help in the progress and prosperity of this country. It wants to create a progressive society, and not a backward one in the future. If we do not carry our fight into the strongholds of the Opposition, then it would be difficult for us to penetrate them. We would not know the stand held by Members of the Opposition. We are conscious of the fact that we are living in a multi racial society. Workers in the working movement are continually fighting against the communalists who are opposed to the politics pursued by the P.A.P. Because of our good intentions, we believe we will be able to live happily together, and the people who are democratic and non-Communist will see to it that the country will progress and that they are not misled by the other Parties. I sincerely hope that the Barisan Sosialis, who claim that they work for the interests of the people, will come forward and really fight their battle in the interests of the people and bring forth whatever points they think they can debate in this Chamber so as to benefit the people. The people in this country can judge for themselves which Party is working for the interests of the working class. Any attempt to mislead the people would meet with defeat.

Finally, Mr Speaker, I wish to say with regard to the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara that our task for the future is based on policies that are workable, as has been clearly set out in the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. I believe irresponsible elements would like to find ways and means to mislead the people as to the true intent of the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. Every Ministry will be able to carry out its policy so that the corruption, and so on, which happened years before will not be repeated in the future. Each Ministry should carry out its work more actively in order to achieve' the desired end, which is for the benefit of the people.

6.30 p.m.

Mr Speaker: Order, order. It is now 6.30 p.m. and the House will stand adjourned pursuant to the resolution of the House.

Adjourned accordingly at Thirty minutes past Six o'clock p.m.