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

2.37 p.m.

Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Question [14th December, 1965],

`That the following Address in reply to the speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara be agreed to:-

"We, the Legislative Assembly of Singapore, express our thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Negara for the speech which he delivered on behalf of the Government at the opening of the present Session of this Assembly.".'. - [The Prime Minister].

Question again proposed.

Mr Speaker: At the close of yesterday's sitting. the Minister for Labour was holding the House. He now has the Floor. Mr Jek.

2.39 p.m.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia has suggested that Singapore should go its own way and should not interfere with the affairs of Malaysia. This we will gladly do if they would also keep to their own word. But what happened was that when our Prime Minister talked about political eunuchs in the Federal Cabinet or the Sultans and their multiplicity of wives, they immediately sent us a protest note through diplomatic channels complaining that we were interfering with their internal affairs. When we announced our intention to resume barter trade with Indonesia, they stepped in and objected to the scheme, giving the flimsiest reasons for their objection. Is this not a blatant interference with our internal affairs? They claimed that resumption of trade with Indonesia, even though on a small scale, would jeopardise the security of Malaysia. But everybody knows that their own traders are carrying on barter trade in Tawau, Pulau Ketam -

Mr Speaker: Order. I have allowed the Minister to continue in the vein that he has because I thought that it was relevant that the House should understand the circumstances which led to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia up to the 9th of August. Events subsequent to that date which concern the Federation of Malaysia are matters which should not he touched upon by this Assembly. But if they are matters subsequent to the 9th of August which arc relevant to Singapore and which have been mentioned by the Ministers in the Federation, then those matters may he touched upon and no other. I hope I have made myself quite clear to the House, because I am going to be very strict about this from now on.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): On a point of clarification, Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister mentioned in his speech just now the exchanges of diplomatic notes between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. He was referring to this exchange and the circumstances under which this protest was put forward. So I think it would he quite relevant if, in the process of explaining the events which took place after the 9th of August, matters which are relevant to the events are brought up in the speech. I would very much he obliged, Mr Speaker, if you could he a little generous in your interpretation of what should be debated on the Yang di-Pertuan Negara's Speech.

Mr Speaker: Mr Deputy Prime Minister, as I have said in my ruling. I consider that any events subsequent to the 9th of August touched upon by Ministers of the Federation pertinent to Singapore may be touched upon by Members in this House. I would request Members of this House, while they are so doing, to use temperate language and not intemperate language, because if it is intemperate, I shall rule it out of order, not on the basis of subject matter but on the basis of language.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am grateful for your ruling.

If their traders can have barter trade with the Indonesians in Malaysian territories, then why cannot we trade with Indonesia in Pulau Senang, which is 12 miles away from our main island? This, I think, is like the case of the Chinese proverb which says that high officials are allowed to set fire to a town, but the common people are not allowed even to light a lamp in their own house. If they are so concerned about the security of Malaysia and the security of Singapore, then it should he their duty to help Singapore to industrialise, because a contented people will not so easily fall into the hands of the Communists. But instead of doing this, they clamp down on trade between Singapore and the Peninsula. Every sane person knows that by denying access of their markets to our manufacturers, there can be only one consequence - the slowing down of our industrialisation programme. This would create conditions most favourable for a Communist take-over in Singapore. If, as a result of their foolish measures, the people in Singapore lose hope in a democratic government and turn to the Communists, then what will be left of Malaysia's security and defence? Everyone knows that the defence of Malaysia rests on the British bases in Singapore. Can Malaysia be defended with a Communist base in Singapore?

Finally, I would like to come to the question of the payroll tax which was also mentioned by the Member for Bras Basah. This tax was foolishly imposed by the then Federal Minister for Finance. It has the ill-effect of discouraging employers from employing more labourers that we have in surplus. When we were in Malaysia, we opposed it strongly in Parliament. But since this has already been imposed on us and since they have been collecting it for about a year, we do not intend to stop it yet. Instead, we intend to use it solely for the benefit of the workers. We intend to set aside the revenue collected under this head to form a fund for the social security of the workers. We will set up a committee to put up recommendations for the implementation of the scheme. As what we have done in all our major labour legislation and policies, the N.T.U.C. will be the first we would approach for their views and suggestions on the scheme.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the motion on the debate.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister (Inche Buang Bin Omar Junid): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Address in reply to the speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara on the 8th of December. We are now a free and independent State and, therefore, we have to work harder to fight for the bright future of our citizens.

All the citizens of Singapore have shown their determination to make Singapore a State that would be successful and prosperous. It is only the members and leaders of the Barisan Sosialis who hope that Singapore would face destruction so that it would be possible for them to make use of the opportunity for their own ends. That is why we see there is not a single one of them present in this House. This is a clear indication that they are truly out for the destruction of the interests of Singapore.

Singapore, as a State that believes in democratic socialism, is facing all sorts of enemies. We face threats from the Communists and the pro-Communists, as represented by the Barisan Sosialis. We are also facing intimidation from reactionary elements as represented by conservative forces in U.M.N.O., the M.C.A. and the M.I.C. Apart from that, we are also faced with intimidation from the remnants of the colonialists who carry out their evil machinations which help towards the achievement of the ends of those two forces mentioned earlier. They hope that Singapore would fail in its effort to survive, and they work hard to damage the economy of the State. These are the people who often shout out the slogan that Singapore will not survive without the cooperation of others, particularly Malaysia.

Our State has no desire to he an enemy of anyone, particularly of our neighbour, Malaysia. In fact, the desire of the Government of Singapore is to maintain co-operation with them, particularly in the economic and commercial fields. But a matter which must be duly considered is that if economic co-operation is to be maintained with Malaysia, we do not wish any Party, particularly the conservative reactionaries of the Right, to imagine that, without co-operation with Malaysia, Singapore will fall. Singapore can survive on its own.

Mr Speaker, we have often heard U.M.N.O. leaders in Singapore saying that for Singapore to be an industrialised State, it must depend upon raw materials from Malaya. What they mean to say is, how is Singapore to become an industrialised State without raw materials such as tin, rubber and other raw materials? I wish to say to them that for us to industrialise, raw materials are not important. Take, for instance, Japan. It does not have iron ore or rubber. Nevertheless, it is highly industrialised and produces motor-cars and other manufactured goods for their people, and these goods are exported to the people of Malaysia. Malaysia, on the other hand, which has raw materials such as rubber and tin, is not producing motor-cars and exporting them. It is not industrialising. A Singapore without raw materials need not necessarily mean that it cannot industrialise. On the other hand, although a country has raw materials, it is not necessarily an industrialised country. So all the talk that to he an industrialised State, the State must have raw materials, is not exactly true.

Singapore will prosper with its industrialisation. Daily we see industrialists from foreign countries coming here to observe what is going on in Jurong. Our people have been going to Japan and industrialists from Japan have all said that our economy is stable and they are keen to come and build factories here.

Our country will prosper. I call upon all the citizens of Singapore to unite solidly behind the Government, to work hard and be realistic in their attitude. By the will of God, we will succeed. The Government of Singapore will defend the rights of the people, irrespective of race, language or religion. It will defend the welfare and interests of the various races of Singapore. All these things will be written in the new Constitution of Singapore.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Malays in Singapore need not fear that the P.A.P. Government will not look after their interests and welfare. The Government is grateful for the confidence that they have placed in it in the last general elections. The fact that the Malays in Singapore voted for members of the P.A.P. is an indication that they have full confidence in the P.A.P. Government. We will not betray their confidence placed in us. We will defend and protect the interests and welfare of them all. In the multi-racial society of Singapore, the Malays have a part to play. Let us all, irrespective of race, work hard to make Singapore a prosperous and happy country. The P.A.P. Government is working hard in order to bring about a society which is happy and harmonious because it is by this means that our people will be able to live happily and in peace. That is the reason why, while we were in Malaysia, we fought for such a society through the call for a Malaysian Malaysia. But because of that, we were evicted from Malaysia. We must never forget the two years that we were in Malaysia, and we believe that they in Malaysia will not forget that too.

The boycott of the Barisan Sosialis of this House clearly shows that they have denied their belief in democracy, and that all their fight in the past has shown that they do not care for the future of the country. Their absence from this House shows that they have no belief and no confidence whatever in the system of democracy and they are working very hard to destroy it. The people of Singapore must be well aware of these actions of the Barisan Sosialis, because the Barisan Sosialis are working very hard to destroy this democratic system. We know that they have now been rejected by the people of Singapore and so are all their pro-Communist supporters. They, like U.M.N.O. and the M.C.A., have no political capital that they could show to the people of Singapore. Mr Speaker, the Barisan Sosialis is a Party known for its skill in shouting slogans, but they are barren in political ideas. The slogans are all empty ones. In the Hong Lim by-election five months ago, the people of that constituency rejected those slogans. The Barisan Sosialis people are now rejected both by their former supporters and the people of this State. We know of the split that has taken place within the ranks of the Barisan Sosialis. They have all along been dependent for their inspiration on the Communists of Indonesia. They are now like chickens. They are now in the process of perishing. They are looking for help from outside in order to maintain their stand. They say that Malaysia is a neo-colonialist plot. They had wished earlier that Singapore would not have merged with Malaysia. Now that Singapore is no longer merged with Malaysia, this still does not seem to fulfi1 their desires. They say that the independence that we have achieved is phoney. What then are their true wishes? Merger is phoney and independence is phoney! What they wish is to destroy Singapore so that it will perish. This is their evil intention towards Singapore. We must beware of this all the tune and stop the evil intent of the Barisan Sosialis.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Mr Sia Kah Hui): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion of the Prime Minister expressing the thanks of this House to the Yang di-Pertuan Negara for delivering the speech on the opening day of this Session. The whole speech conveys a sense of confidence both in the present and in the future, and the concrete and effective steps to be taken in the solution of problems which confront the country.

As it is now well known and in fact accepted by all our fellow member nations of the United Nations Organisation but disputed by a few Barisan Sosialis Members who spit in the face of their own electors, Singapore is an independent and sovereign country. So we meet today under very different circumstances from the past. We meet as the First Parliament of an independent and sovereign Republic of Singapore. I am proud of the fact; Honourable Members here present are proud of the fact; and I am sure the great majority of our fellow-citizens of Singapore share our pride in the fact.

At the beginning of the last Session, 21 guns did not boom out in salute when His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara arrived at this Chamber to deliver his Speech, but eight days ago, they boomed in recognition of our President. Things have changed - changed dramatically. We are now masters of our own destiny. We did not seek this status. We did not separate from those we still feel are members of our common Malaysian family. We were separated from them. This we accept. But we are an adult member of the family and can - and will - survive on our own. We live in our own houses but also in the Malaysian compound, not from any decisions of men, but because of the compulsions of history, geography and sociology. And for our own homeland, we have full and final responsibility. Our problems are not easy and we have not all the time in the world to solve them. But as the Prime Minister said, we define our problems, the better to face them, and we face our problems, in order to find better and quicker solutions. We know that, though we must take the initiative and responsibility, we need the co-operation of others, our new neighbours, our Afro-Asian friends, our fellow members of the Commonwealth, the new friends made by our three Ministers on their recent journey of goodwill and the people of the American continent - in fact, wherever friendship is. But for the first time, it is our opportunity and responsibility to strive for the greatest advantage for our people. We are on test as a people and this is the greatest test we have ever faced in the success story of our history. And this time it is a democratic test - a test of all of us, of our capacity to hold together and to work together in the spirit of a more just and equal society, more equal not only in what we get from Singapore but in what we give to it. I am glad that His Excellency has fully brought Out this point clearly in his Speech. What he has said could bear repetition here, for our people must fully realise their responsibilities. I quote "Our survival as a people, depends upon our patience and resolution... upon our perseverance." In other words, these are the qualities needed to bring about a tolerant, just and equal society, multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious. We have set our sights high. The ideas and aspirations may not be new, but we are pioneers in seeking to build them into the laws and way of life of one of the most varied communities in the world today. Every effort of every citizen must be deliberately directed to achieve these ideals we have set ourselves.

If we cast our eyes around us and take an objective look at our neighbours, their trials and tribulations, we can be certain that our policy is right. Our leaders have done everything for the realisation of this policy. We have learnt from history. We know that a tolerant, just and equal society, multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious, are the four pillars of wisdom on which our nation can be built. When we all fully realise this fact, and as a great majority already do, we shall have peace and harmony. Without peace and harmony in our country, we cannot proceed to the next stage seeking prosperity. After the experience of the last couple of years, I am confident that our people cannot fall prey to appeals of chauvinist and communal sentiments, but at the same time we must not belittle the craftiness and ingenuity and self-mesrnerising of our enemies. They are in our midst and they are constantly and obsessively on the lookout for opportunities to exploit for the advancement of their own power through their ideology. They are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to exploit the ignorant and ill-informed. I am confident, however, that no amount of communal terror and intimidation will ever bring our people to forsake the conviction that a tolerant, just and equal society, multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious, are the four pillars on which our nation shall he built. The means they use to gain power indicate the means they will use should they gain power to perpetuate their power, and there could he no greater contrast with the ideals our Government preaches and practises. As His Excellency has well said, "This House has gone through many a struggle, first against Colonialism, then Communism and then Communalism." Our people in their public as well as in their business and private life are much more experienced and discerning people. We are no fools. It is because of this very fact that our people have a discriminatory mind and have guts, patience and determination that other nations accept us and respect us. I remember that when the Deputy Prime Minister spoke at the Airport on his return from the success of his recent Goodwill Mission overseas, he said that it was because our people are solidly behind our nation's leaders that other people arc prepared to be friends with us and respect us.

We are a peace-loving people and it cannot be said too often that we want to live in peace with our neighbours and indeed with the rest of the world. We want to prosper, and from our ideals and our interests we want our neighbours also to prosper. Let this be proclaimed from the roof-tops that it may be known to our neighbours as t was stated by our Foreign Minister in his key speech to the United Nations Assembly. Let us co-operate in all things for the benefit of our peoples, which is the purpose of politics. Let not our minds and thoughts be clouded and shrunk by jealousy and animosity. The interests of the peoples must come first. This is democracy. I sincerely hope that nothing, no ideology, no people, will stand in the way as this Government strides forward to bring peace and prosperity to our people.

3.13 p.m.

The Minister for Culture and Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, at the opening of the First Session of the Singapore Parliament, exactly four months after the promulgation of Singapore as an independent and sovereign State, the Head of State, His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, remarked that:

`When we last met in this Chamber, little did we foresee that in two years we would meet here again as a sovereign Legislature of an independent nation, a separate member of the Commonwealth and of the United Nations.'

In fact, even in this very House, Mr Speaker, Sir, the atmosphere and the scene have changed. The seats in front of us, which were 90 per cent empty after the last general election in 1963, are now all completely unoccupied. And since last Monday we have missed the sight of eight tiny men in black trousers and white shirts, shuffling in and out of this Chamber shouting silly and sometimes insolent remarks whenever Government Members spoke.

Although we are in no position to predict the length of their absence, there are indications that their boycott will go on at least for the whole of this Session. It is hard for us to understand what sort of people they are and what they really want. They talk of democracy, but when they are given the opportunities through the democratic parliamentary process to air their grievances face to face with us, they prefer to absent themselves, to shout morbid and empty slogans outside this Chamber to the effect that the Government is undemocratic and dictatorial.

Since the 9th of August, the Barisan Sosialis has lost much of its ground support, not because of the so-called undemocratic and dictatorial attitude of the P.A.P. Government, but because of their puerile and stupid actions and utterances which are prejudicial to the interests of the people.

At a time when we were working feverishly for the reunification of Singapore and Malaya in the establishment of Malaysia a few years ago, they worked in the opposite direction. They branded Malaysia as a neo-colonialist plot. They opposed merger to fight for an independent Singapore. Independence first, followed by merger at a later stage was their formula. And now that Singapore is no longer part of Malaysia but has become an independent and sovereign State, they say, "We do not want an independent Singapore because it is phoney independence and is a plot of the British colonialists and imperialists working hand in glove with their stooges."

Mr Speaker, Sir, nobody can gainsay that Singapore's independence is genuine, to substantiate which there is more than ample testimony. We were admitted into the United Nations without any hitch. No African or Asian country opposed our application for membership of the Afro-Asian Conference which unfortunately failed to hold its meeting in Algiers. In fact, the United Nations as well as the Afro-Asian Conference accepted us with open arms. If our independence were phoney, as the Barisan Sosialis claimed, surely we would have been rebuffed by these two bodies.

There is further proof of our State's legitimacy. And again, Mr Speaker, Sir, our mission led by the Deputy Prime Minister was well received and highly honoured by African, European and Asian countries. The countries they visited represented every shade of ideology from non-Communist to Communist countries. They not only accepted Singapore as an independent and sovereign State but also saw the presence of the British base in the correct perspective. They were convinced that the protective base here would not negate or detract from our independence.

Against this background we can clearly understand that at this sitting, Members of the Barisan Sosialis have absented themselves because their attempts to hoodwink the people on the phoney independence myth have failed miserably. Their unfounded allegations that independence has loaded Singapore with acute and chaotic economic problems fall on deaf ears. The people of Singapore refuse to listen to such silly and childish remarks and will not allow themselves to follow a suicidal course like that of 1961 when the Barisan Sosialis created economic paralysis by launching strikes which resulted in the closure of many factories, unemployment among workers and transfer of capital across the Causeway.

I suggest, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the Barisan Sosialis Gentlemen should have their heads examined; after all, they have plenty of free time in which to do this, for instead of fulfilling their parliamentary obligations as the Opposition here, they are now on a long holiday.

Four months after our separation from Malaysia, Singapore is still very much alive and is in fact even more viable. As revealed by my colleague the Minister for Finance in his Budget Speech, there is every indication that Singapore will definitely survive and prosper in the years ahead. His "painless" Budget has been viewed by the people as an index of confidence in Singapore's economic future. As an encouraging first step, some overseas buyers have already made bulk purchases of our locally manufactured plywood, veneer and textiles. And now they are engaged in exploring the possibilities of introducing a wider range of locally manufactured products to the markets of their respective countries.

The trend is that more and more overseas trade missions will visit Singapore, not only from the non-Communist countries but also from the European Communist countries. For example, Yugoslavia and Russia have expressed their desire of relations with us. We encourage relations like these on the basis of mutual benefit. It is our hope that economic relations will be the prelude to other and closer relations. This can be our contribution to international goodwill and understanding.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not without reasons that Singapore is the centre of communications and business in South-East Asia and has within the last 150 years developed into the fifth largest port in the world. This is due to a quirk of geography - that we are in the centre of world trade routes.

But some people in the neighbouring territory refuse to accept this. To them, Singapore was and still is nothing more than a small fish which makes a tasty morsel. But two years of Malaysia made them realise that what they mistook for the ikan hilis was really the ikan lepu which, small though it be, is protected by a ring of poisonous spikes. So to save their own skin, they had perforce to spew out the ikan lepu. For during the two years we were in Malaysia, Sir, we amply demonstrated ourselves as a people not to be cowed into submission but willing and able to fight for principles and inalienable rights.

We joined Malaysia in the sincere conviction that we could play our part in helping to create a multi-racial, equal and just society. We were willing to co-operate and offer whatever help we could in a common endeavour to improve the lot of the less privileged in the country. We offered the services of our experts to help them to build low-cost housing for the lower income groups, and so on. But our offers were flatly rejected. Instead, the Malaysian Government went around on the quiet to find out how we ran our efficient government machinery, how we could build low-cost houses, schools, clinics, hospitals and other social amenities. Openly, they expressed their envy of our achievements which could have given them inspiration to embark on similar projects but which were only regarded by them as posing a challenge to them.

Three days after the Singapore general elections in 1963, U.M.N.O. members in Geylang Serai, led by their extremist leaders from Kuala Lumpur, burnt an effigy of the Prime Minister. This was to give expression to their frustration because their candidates were rejected by the people and all had lost their seats. From then on, the vicious propaganda that "the P.A.P. Chinese Government is suppressing the Malays" was echoed with monotonous regularity by the U.M.N.O. leaders in their speeches and in the Jawi Press.

It was a systematic campaign. Social projects designed to benefit the Malays were distorted. Low-cost flats aimed at providing the Malays with modern facilities were decried on the fictitious ground that they were not suitable for Malays who prefer to stay only in kampong-type houses. Malay families were threatened into refusing occupation of these flats, described by the Utusan Melayu as "pigeon holes".

The vicious propaganda went on, day in and day out. Their aim was to impede Singapore's social and economic headway. Under the influence of the extremists, the Malays refused to move out of their dilapidated houses to make way for modern flats. Urban development projects were held up.

As part of the campaign to topple the Singapore Government, the extremists incited the Malays with communal slogans of one race, one language and one religion. This culminated in the two riots of July and September last year. Those two race riots would not have happened but for the determination of the extremists and racialists to force the people of Singapore into accepting Malay rule. In fact, the position was neatly summarised by an U.M.N.O. Backbencher when he said at the Second Session of the Malaysian Parliament, "The trouble with Singapore is that it is not accustomed to Malay rule."

Even after our expulsion, the extremists would not leave us alone and blatantly interfered in our internal affairs by exploiting religious and language issues. Their attempts in the Jawi Press to create religious conflict in Singapore were foiled before any damage could be done. Then they switched over to language. During our Second National Language Month concluded recently, these Right-wing extremists, claiming to be "the anti-national language leaders", distributed literature denouncing Malay as the national language and demanding that Chinese be made the sole national language of the State. These pamphlets written in rornanised Malay were purported to have originated from Chinese language chauvinists. But their game was exposed and the pamphlets were traced to be the work of Malay extremists, their real intention being to create communal ill-feeling between the Malays and Chinese which might result in racial conflagration.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to echo the Prime Minister's suggestion that a more rational relationship between the Malaysian Government and the Singapore Government be ironed out at the conference table. As for the Malays in Singapore, I would appeal to them to steer clear of the communal blandishments of the Malay extremists. The real interest of the Malays lies in co-operating with the other communities in a concerted effort to achieve economic viability, step up the standard of living and create a more just and equal national multi-racial society in which every citizen irrespective of racial origin can make the most of the opportunities of life.

3.32 p.m.

Mr R. A. Gonzales (Serangoon Gardens): Mr Speaker, Sir, some four months ago when we were in Malaysia there were people, and I mean those in the minority group, who were becoming apprehensive about their future in Malaysia and whether they would be swallowed up as a result of a policy being adopted by certain mad men who unfortunately happened to be our neighbours. The policy, if pursued, would have spelt disaster not only for the minority group but also for the majority, for there is no way in our multi-racial society whereby one race can successfully dominate another except possibly by the use of force.

There is no place for the communalists in this society of ours. A sigh of relief was heard on the 9th of August and there was even a certain amount of jubilation when we became independent or when independence was thrust upon us. But the happenings during the months preceding independence were still fresh in the minds of the people and there was still a certain amount of apprehension as to what their lot would be in independent Singapore. Unfortunately, we happen to have the same type of mad men here. This apprehension, I am glad to say, was speedily dispelled by the statements that the rights of the minority groups would be safeguarded by writing them into the Constitution. I am sure that there is no more doubt in the minds of those who doubt the sincerity of the Government. Now that they know that the rights of our citizens shall be equal, not only in law but also in practice, the creation of a tolerant, multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious society is one which will take time, and we must spare no efforts in making this a reality in the shortest possible period of time.

It is, therefore, heartening to note that those who exploit the situation by appealing to the racial and religious sentiments of the people would be dealt with. It is hoped that after a period of time and after we have succeeded in establishing a tolerant, multi-racial society that the leaders in Malaysia will accept the change, and in doing so pave the way for the coming together once again of the people who are, in fact, one.

In his Speech, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara also dwelt on the question of defence, which is by no means a light burden that we have to bear now that we are independent. No self-respecting nation can forever depend on another for protection against its enemies or even for internal security. We are now faced with the necessity of raising an army and a volunteer force. This will be the acid test of the loyalty of the people to this country. This is the time when the traitors show themselves up. I am sure that we will not have to look for loyal citizens who will make the sacrifice to maintain their freedom and self-respect.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of unemployment is another matter uppermost in our minds and of great concern to the Government. It has been estimated that the backlog of unemployment as at the end of 1965 is around 55,000, and will increase to 95,000 persons within a few years. As we can no longer depend entirely on the entrepot trade, dependence on our industries to provide jobs for those who will be entering the labour market will be increasing.

The restrictive measures that have been introduced to restrict the influx of unskilled workers into Singapore to safeguard the interests of our citizens are, therefore, welcome. It is heartening to note, however, that the door has not been entirely closed to our people across the Causeway who are skilled workers. I am sure they will realise that these steps have been taken to ensure our survival and that the responsibility of finding jobs for their unemployed rests on the shoulders of their leaders.

On our part, Mr Speaker, we urge the Government to look very closely at the number of jobs created by the establishment of industries. We are informed of the number of workers employed by firms already in production and of the level that will be reached when these firms achieve full production. Careful watch must be taken to ensure that these firms achieve full production in the shortest possible time and that employment becomes a fact and not just a promise. Here, the role of our trade union leaders and workers becomes more important. Not only will they have to exercise more restraint in their demands, but they should also cooperate with management to increase production and to ensure that their products are of the highest quality and of a price comparable to or even cheaper than the price for the same product produced elsewhere.

The Government is playing its part in encouraging trade missions to visit Singapore. The workers must also play their part in raising the productivity and the standards of the goods they produce. The more we produce for export, the better our economy, which eventually will result in more jobs being created - jobs for the sons and daughters of the workers themselves. Self-interest, at this time when we are faced with the grave problem of survival, does not pay and I am confident that with wise leadership and the industry of the people, we shall succeed in maintaining and even improving our standard of living which we shall then be happy to share with our people in Malaya.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the motion to express our thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Negara for the speech which he delivered at the opening of this Session.

3.42 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker. Sir, the Barisan Sosialis have boycotted us this time. They think that this act might create an impression on the people of Singapore. That is their intention of boycotting the Parliament. But the people are politically sophisticated. They can see through the intention of the Barisan Sosialis. The boycott has somewhat increased our burden because we now have to consider their point of view in addition to our own point of view. Before any measure or legislation can be approved by this House, we have to consider the pros and cons from every angle.

According to general speculation, the reasons for the Barisan boycott are, firstly, that they have nothing more worth while to offer to this House; they cannot make any more contributions to the people of Singapore. Secondly, the Chairman of their Party fears that their Members in this House may not want to obey his instructions when they speak, thus endangering his prestige and his leadership. Because his position has thus been threatened, he has ruled that these Barisan Members should not come to this Assembly. I will not criticise the Barisan Sosialis any further.

There are, however, a few points to which I would like to draw the attention of the House. Members of the House are elected by the voters, and they should be responsible to the people and to speak on their behalf. The boycott of Parliament by the Barisan Sosialis has, in fact, been a betrayal of the trust of the people. They are shirking their responsibility, and they even go a step further by denouncing our independence and saying that it is a phoney independence. If they do not recognise independent Singapore, then I would like to ask them what kind of people they are. Are they citizens of Singapore or are they citizens of any other country? If they do not recognise Singapore, then Singapore can also legally denounce them.

The Barisan Sosialis in their Party organ has also denounced the worth and value of democracy. This clearly goes to show that they are no longer going along the way of democracy to carry out their politics. They are forsaking the constitutional democratic line. What is the conclusion expected of this sort of action? It is an armed and bloody revolution. I would like all the people and the Barisan Sosialis to pay attention to what I am going to say. The Barisan are inspired by Jakarta and are directed by Peking. What are the views of Peking and Jakarta on Singapore? According to Peking news, Peking considers the Government led by Mr Lee Kuan Yew as a moderate Leftist Government. This would be an eye-opener to the Barisan Sosialis. Singapore's Government is recognised as a Left-wing moderate Government.

There is a Chinese saying that everything that can be achieved in the year must be planned in spring. And everything pertaining to one's livelihood should be planned early in one's life. So this saying can be applied to our present situation. In other words, in the beginning of the year, in spring, we should plan for the whole year and we should also plan in the early morning for the whole day. In the same way, we should also have a long-term plan for the future of Singapore, just like every individual should have his own plan for his life. And the policy speech outlines the plan for Singapore for the coming year, which is a long-term plan not only for the coming year but also for a long time to come.

Ever since 1959, when the P.A.P. came to power, it has been planning for the future and our plan is many years ahead. Our achievements have been beyond expectations in many fields. And even our neighbouring countries have recognised this. But, on the other hand, there are certain countries which have to incur a great deficit every year, millions of dollars, because of ill-planning and mal-administration. I do not really mean to be unkind to our neighbouring countries.

Our non-aligned policy, as everybody knows, has already won us many friends, both from the West and also from the East. We have won many friends in Afro-Asian countries. We have established good relationships with Eastern European countries and also with Russia. Yugoslavia and Russia have promised to send a delegation to Singapore early next year. The Republic of China in the past two years did not buy our rubber but has now trade relationships with us. It has bought some rubber from us. From all sides, we are seeing a favourable response. They are keenly interested in our friendship. I have reason to believe that at the right time, many more will come with us and the Republic of China will recognise us.

We are going ahead with our long-term plan. Singapore is a small country with an area of 224 square miles. We also have substantial revenues every year. But the expenditure on defence is quite large. We cannot afford to have a big army. Therefore, we have to build only a small army with the support of a voluntary people's defence corps. Sir, this will have to depend on the support of the people. Our people are very conscientious and will certainly live up to our expectations. When the Japanese invaded Malaya, they fought bravely against them. They are resolute and courageous enough to defend themselves for their own existence. The 10,000 volunteers in the people's defence corps can safely be said to be forthcoming. The people will keenly take up the challenge to join the army or the volunteers. In spite of the army or volunteer force that we may have, it is still too small to defend our country. That is why we need the protection and help of our friends. That explains the presence of British bases in Singapore. The bases in Cuba, however, are controlled by the United States of America, it is quite different from the British bases here, because they are here with the consent of our Government for our own protection. This has been recognised by the Afro-Asian countries which recognise that the existence of the bases in Singapore does not infringe on our territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is for our own defence at our own request. The Barisan Sosialis have called on the people not to join the volunteers or the army. They have also denounced the existence of the bases. But if a foreign country tries to invade us, what will they do? Do they want to hand over Singapore to them? They do not even want to see Singapore exist or survive. They call upon the people not to join the army or the volunteer force. As everybody knows, this House has allotted $10 million in this respect but we will have trebled this amount. The confrontation by Indonesia has not caused losses to us as expected. It is only $10 million which was spent in social aid for the unemployed. The existence of Singapore can be safeguarded through Government policies and many measures.

Here I would like to stress that the people of Singapore will have to be on the alert and to depend on themselves. That is the basic spirit of the people of an independent country. I believe that we can rely upon ourselves. We should be self-reliant and we should be able to stand on our own feet for our survival. Then the people who are inseparable from us living in Malaysia will also try to emulate us. As I have said, planning for the year is in spring and the planning for the future of Singapore is now. So this is the time for us to plan for our future, and I hope everybody will live up to the duty expected of him.

3.59 pm

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara has delivered the Speech on behalf of the Government and it is very encouraging to many of us. In it we can see very clearly for ourselves that a new nation has been born with all sovereignty and integrity. It has already got all the plans for our future. Just like some other newly independent countries in Afro-Asia, the people of Singapore are now in control of their own destiny and they can decide the future for themselves. But inevitably, with independence, we will meet with more difficulties and responsibilities. This is natural and we recognise this fact. We are a small country in South-East Asia and our destiny and fate are closely intertwined with the fate and destiny of the other peoples in the same region. Therefore, in the course of nation-building, the stability of our country must necessarily depend upon the establishment of a multi-racial society with equality for all. In the meantime, in the international field, we must make sure that we are not isolated. All these are factors that will ensure our survival.

Mr Speaker, ever since we achieved independence, Singapore has smoothly and without any haste become the 117th member of the United Nations. This fact is undeniable. Nobody can dispute that at all. In the field of foreign affairs, we are adopting a policy of non-alignment and neutrality. That is why we have enhanced our reputation in the international arena and we have won a lot of friends and support, both in Afro-Asian countries and in Eastern European countries. Lately, the Goodwill Mission, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, were welcomed wherever they went. Everywhere they went they were well received too. Mr Speaker, the anti-nationalist elements in our midst, however, have turned round to say that the independence we have achieved is phoney. These remarks are totally unfounded, particularly in view of the fact that we have been admitted into the United Nations. This shows that we are truly independent and that we are not just independent in name. The United Nations is a very well respected international organisation, and it will not easily admit a country as a member if it has not achieved true independence. The remark of the Barisan Sosialis that ours is a phoney independence is intended to create a wrong impression in the minds of the Afro-Asian countries. But their schemes and intrigues have been exposed. They have been broken into pieces and this is very encouraging to us.

There is one other thing we must note. Their boycott of the first Session of Parliament may be an indication that they have lost confidence in the system of parliamentary democracy. This may mark a change in their policy; a departure from the constitutional struggle in Parliament to a struggle by violence. That is why we must increase our vigilance against whatever move they may make or are making.

Mr Speaker, we are faced with two great forces in our efforts towards nation-building. The first force, as has been said in the speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, is the force of communalism. The second force is Communism. We can see, and we understand very clearly, that the communal ultras have been and are still shouting the slogan of one race, one religion and one language. They have been doing this for the past two years. These ultras are trying to do all they can to indoctrinate the people of this nation with their ideology in order to split the people and break up national unity. At their instigation, some of our people have done foolish things in certain circumstances. But now the picture is entirely changed. Although we can say that they are, to a certain extent, well contained, the people must, nevertheless, be vigilant against the other broadsides these ultras may deliver at the people.

We now come to the open front Communist organisations. Mr Speaker, ever since we achieved independence, these open-front organisations and elements have tried to undermine the stability and security of our nation. They tried to make Nanyang University an issue in order to create trouble in our society. So these Left-wing trade unions and the old boys' associations, together with a few pro-Communist elements in the university campus, attempted to describe the Wang Gung-Wu Report as a Government measure intended to anglicise Nanyang University. They say that this is the intention of the P.A.P. Government. They do so in order to create a feeling of resentment among the people against the Government. Mr Speaker, we can see that the main point in Professor Wang Gung-Wu's Report is that Nanyang University should have two systems, one system for general degrees and one system for honours degrees. This is something which Nanyang University has never had. The second point in the Report is to try to make Nanyang University a multi-lingual University so that it can be run on a sound basis. Some changes have been made in the courses of study. Certain recommendations have been made with a view to turning Nanyang University into a properly run and well managed institution of higher learning to meet the requirements of our society. The graduates of the University would then be able to meet the aspirations of the people with sympathy and understanding. In the new situation now that we are independent, we require more and more people with talent to participate in the work of nation-building. If after some reforms, Nanyang University is able to turn out more graduates to meet the requirements of our society, then it is to be recommended. How can it be said that this is a move to anglicise Nanyang University? After all, we have already decided and agreed that Nanyang University shall remain a University with Chinese as the medium of instruction. There is no dispute over this point. But some of the pro-Communist elements in Nanyang University resorted to vandalism by writing nonsense on walls all over the university campus. They even attempted to burn down the hostel in Nanyang University. They did so in the name of preserving Chinese education. They also attempted to boycott classes for the same reason. With the support of the pro-Communist trade unions and old boys' associations, they go round and paste slogans and posters at bus shelters and sometimes in the buses themselves. They want to create an impression among the people that the Government is doing harm to Nanyang University in the hope that they can whipp ill-feelings against the Government. But fortunately for us, they have not been successful in their attempts. This is because the people themselves have seen through the plot and intrigues and the puerile efforts of these anti-national elements. The people are no longer moved by them.

Mr Speaker, these anti-national elements know that the moment Nanyang University is put on the right track they will lose a training ground for Communist cadres. That is why they are doing all they can to stop Nanyang University from getting on to the right track. Thus, they have to pretend to be the champions of Nanyang University and Chinese education so that they can do harm instead of good to Nanyang University. If they are really sincere in their so-called love for Nanyang University, then they should not write nonsense and slogans on the walls of buildings of Nanyang University. By so doing, they are in fact causing the University to spend more money.

Mr Speaker, it is the policy and determination of the P.A.P. Government to establish a multi-racial nation. This is a necessity, rather an ideal, We must of necessity look after the interest of the minorities in our nation so that they will forever become part and parcel of the entire nation. In fact, safeguards for the minority groups will be written into the Constitution. This is in line with our policy of multi-lingualism and multi-racialism. We have already got the support of the people. Our policy has, in fact, achieved success in this field. We will go a step further by consolidating our strength. This will give us more confidence in order to achieve even greater success. This, of course, will have great repercussions on our neighbouring countries where feudalism is on the decline. It is inevitable that the emergence of a multi-racial society will come about. Generally speaking, our neighbouring country does not seem to like the emergence of a multi-racial society. They do not wish to see the success of our multi-racial policy. The question of the separation of Singapore from Malaysia was brought up in the Malaysian Parliament recently. On this particular occasion, the racialist ultras seemed to be rather unhappy about it. Even some of the Malaysian Ministers shared similar feelings with these ultras. Their performance came as no surprise to us, because we knew that they did not like the emergence of a multi-racial society. In their minds, they had the idea of suppressing us or even destroying us. In fact, they harboured this intention. Because of our determination and decision to establish a multi-racial society and our concerted effort to achieve such a goal, we are still able to survive. We shall strive further for our future survival. We must, however, make certain calculations about these people. What effect will they have on us if one day they assume power across the Causeway? We must, therefore, plan well ahead of time and have long-term policies against such an eventuality.

In order to ensure that our multi-racial society will succeed, we must of necessity set up a multi-racial army and defence corps, because we must depend on our own strength to protect our society and nation. We must have well-trained armed forces to protect our own security and survival. This is one of the very basic principles we must have in mind.

Mr Speaker, in the speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara delivered in this House on behalf of the Government, certain references have been made to our national development. I do not wish to make any further repetition, but I would like to bring out a few highlights on this matter to give my colleagues here a better and clearer picture. It is the policy of the Government to look after the interests of the various races, and this has been stressed over and over again in the past few years ever since we came to power. We want to set up a multi-racial society. We want to look after the interests of all the people, whether they live in the city or in the kampong. We do not care whether they are Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, or members of any other race. We give equality to all. We give the same treatment to all people, irrespective of the colour of their skin or creed. This is the basic policy of the Government.

Mr Speaker, you can go to any kampong in Singapore and see there that the livelihood of the people is not very far below the standard of living enjoyed by the urban people. In fact, we can boast that public amenities and other facilities in our kampongs and rural areas are far better than some of those provided in the urban areas of other South-East Asian countries. So the work that we have done in raising the standard of living of the rural people, and apart from that of the city people, has met with great success. This success has been made possible by the Rural and Urban Services Consultative Committee. We have installed many standpipes and we have provided electricity to a great many kampongs. We have also built roads and jetties in some of the surrounding islands of Singapore during the period 1960-65. We have spent some $20 million in these projects and we have not wasted a single cent or effort. This year the Urban and Rural Services Consultative Committee has spent some $4 million on social amenities, $2 million of which was spent on providing electricity to some kampongs, so that the poor people in the rural areas can also enjoy modern facilities in our society. This has also enabled them to be free from having to pay for electricity provided by private generators where the supply is restricted to certain hours only.

We have also provided standpipes in the rural areas so that the number of people dependent on well water is decreasing. Less and less people are drawing water from wells and more and more people are getting their supply of water from the taps. In fact, it is the policy of the Government to try to provide every home in the rural area with at least a water tap.

We have built some 52 miles of roads in the kampong areas at a very high cost. The efforts of the Government are well appreciated by all the people in the 51 constituencies, including those represented by the Barisan Sosialis. In fact, we do not regard the constituents represented by the Barisan Sosialis as outcasts. We are paying just as much attention to them as to the other constituents. It is a matter for regret that the Barisan Sosialis are not here to speak on behalf of the people they represent. At any rate, as a responsible Government, we will do all we can through the Urban and Rural Services Consultative Committee to provide modern facilities to all the constituencies.

We can give a few examples. In 1965 in the Choa Chu Kang constituency which was represented by the Barisan Sosialis, we spent some $290,000 on the construction of roads. In Bukit Panjang, we spent some $310,000 for the purposes of providing electricity and water. In Nee Soon, we spent about $260,000 for similar purposes. Mr Speaker, from all these figures and facts, you can see how much attention the Government is paying to these rural people.

We can now understand the Barisan Sosialis for boycotting us because they are unable to refute these facts. Apart from shouting slogans in this House, they are also drawing $500 allowance each. They are actually wasting public funds.

Mr Speaker, it is the intention and aim of the Government in its second Five-Year Plan to provide some 60,000 housing units, mainly in Toa Payoh. We are also going ahead with our urban reconstruction. Some people have been affected by the resettlement scheme. Since 1st January, 1964, the Government has provided new rates of compensation. These new rates have made our work of resettlement very much easier. Those people affected by this scheme are in every respect given assistance in securing alternative accommodation. In our reclamation scheme we also provide much assistance to those affected so as to reduce their hardships, or whatever their difficulties, to the very minimum.

The Government's policy is enlightened. That is why the pro-Communist anti-nationals have not been able to instigate the people who have been affected by these schemes to go against the Government. So in order to look after their own interests and their welfare, the people must increase their vigilance. In fact, the Government have learnt a great deal over the past few years, and they now realise the importance of co-operating with the people; and in return we too respect them very much. This again shows that the people and the Government are now almost one in the intention and common effort to establish a better nation in which to live.

The achievements in housing of the Government over the past five years have been great because of our able leadership. Our fame has spread abroad and has been recognised in Mr Lim Kim San, the former Minister for National Development, being awarded the Magsaysay prize. This is an encouragement to us and we shall continue to work harder for the interests of the people by trying to raise their standard of living both in the city and in the rural areas.

We are now going through the Primary Production Department to give all forms of assistance to farmers. We have well-trained personnel and we have set up veterinary and other stations to assist the farmers in increasing their production. The total production of the rural areas amounts to some $200 million per year. We are now able to produce eggs not only for our own consumption but also for export. Only recently, in September this year, the Government held an agricultural show to let the world and our people know what achievements we have made in the rural areas through the Ministry of National Development. Some 300,000 people visited the show. This is a clear indication that great care has been taken of the rural people, particularly those engaged in farming. We have also met with recognition in respect of our economy.

Mr Speaker, I support the motion.

4.27 p.m.

Mr S. V. Lingam (Aljunied): (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara's Speech delivered at the opening of this Session is a historical one. I consider myself privileged to express my views on this Motion of Thanks for his Speech.

Singapore became independent at a rather unexpected moment. Several benefits are to be derived from this. Many of our problems were solved when our Goodwill Mission went to Afro-Asia under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister. The question of bases in Singapore was explained by this Mission to friendly nations of Afro-Asia. This has met with great success.

At the same time, there are many problems to be dealt with in connection with our survival. We need trade as well as industrial growth. Several plans have been announced to increase our trade and industry. We are now assured of our national survival. Our people must also have some assurance, for only then will we be able to get their full co-operation.

Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1959 when the People's Action Party came to power, we have seen many changes and even tribulations. We have derived many lessons from this and our people are enjoying a high standard of living in South-East Asia. Even families of lower income group are today able to have television sets in their homes.

The Members who spoke before me in this Chamber have praised the health service of Singapore. Of course, I do not disagree with them. In fact, even our political enemies are given first-class medical treatment!

However, there are one or two things that I would like to point out. We may recall that there were some regulations for controlling cattle. But I do not think they have been carried out effectively, and I do hope that something will be done in my constituency.

Mr Speaker, Sir, primary education is entirely free in Singapore. This is of tremendous benefit to poor families. But sometimes children of poor families have to travel great distances to their homes. Their parents have to incur quite heavy expenditure. Such families, therefore, do not derive the full benefit from primary education.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to say something about the special services of the Housing and Development Board in which I serve. In the first Five-Year Plan, 51,000 houses have been built and in the second Five-Year Plan, some 60,000 houses will be built; but I do wish to bring to your attention some of the shortcomings of this department. Because housing development has been progressing at such a rate, some traffic problems have been created. I do hope that these problems, which have arisen as a result of multi-storeyed fiat construction, will be solved. More car parking spaces and more playing fields have to be constructed. The Housing Board must improve its services to the people with the co-operation of other Ministries. For instance, the provision of public telephones has to be increased. The Ministry of Health could provide more and bigger markets in the housing estates, because many of the present markets are rather small. It has been announced that the new Television Studio will be ready by about the middle of next year. I hope there will be school television broadcasts. I wish to know whether and when school broadcasts will be introduced, and whether the Tamil programmes will be further improved.

I also wish to say something on the public notice boards. Many spelling and grammatical errors in the Tamil language are found in these notices. The Tamil language has received official status, so this misspelling in the notices is not a good thing. I do hope that something will be done to rectify it.

Could we now turn to the boycott of this Assembly by the Barisan Sosialis? As Members of this Assembly, there are many duties and responsibilities we have to discharge to the people. During an earlier phase, the Barisan Sosialis felt there should be more Assembly sittings. Assembly sittings appeared urgent and necessary to them. I have already spoken earlier about this. Now because of urgent Government business, we have met again in this Assembly. But we do not see them here today. They have boycotted this Session. But the people did not elect them so that they should boycott their Legislative Assembly. Moreover, we now know there is a split among the Barisan Sosialis. But this is entirely their concern. However this may be, it is unforgivable that they should have failed to turn up at this Assembly. As Members, they are receiving $500 allowance each; but if they had asked the Assembly to withhold this payment, then they would be worthy of praise.

Finally, I wish to thank the Prime Minister for having given us the opportunity during this Session not only to praise the Government, but to criticise where necessary.

Mr Speaker: I think this is a convenient time to take the tea break. I shall suspend and resume the Chair at 5.15 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.38 p.m. until 5.15 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.15 p.m.