ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1966

Debate in Committee of Supply resumed.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Head 0901 -

The following amendment stood in the names of Mr P. Govindaswamy and Mr S. V. Lingam ---

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 he reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1017.

Mr Govindaswamy: (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to move my amendment.

The Chairman: The amendment is not proceeded with.

The following amendment stood in the names of Mr P. Govindaswamy. Mr S. V. Lingam and Mr Ng Kah Ting ---

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1251.

Mr Govindaswamy: (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to move my amendment.

The Chairman: Mr Ng Kah Ting?

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I am not moving.

The following amendment stood in the names of Mr S. V. Lingam and Mr Ng Kah Ting ---

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1281.

The Chairman: Mr Lingam is not present. Mr Ng Kah Ting, not moving?

Mr Ng Kah Ting indicated dissent.

The following amendment stood in the names of Mr S. V. Lingam and Mr Ng Kah Ting ---

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1301.

The Chairman: Mr Lingam is not present. Mr Ng Kah Ting.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I am not moving.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Lim Cheng Lock ---

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003.

The Chairman: Mr Lim Cheng Lock is not present.

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $100.

Mr Speaker, I ask that the Ministry of Labour should look after the welfare not only of the workers, but also that of the workers who are with the Admiralty. I would like to give an example. On the 9th of December, 1965, Corporal 1038 of the Naval Police died of sickness.

5.45 p.m.

I was told that there is no free transport provided as a token to workers who have died. This corporal had served for a long period with the Admiralty, no less than 20 years. Even before that, Mr Speaker, there was another incident where P.C. 805 of the Royal Naval Police died in an accident, while carrying out his duty, involving a van which went against Admiralty regulations. He also faced the same fate as the said corporal. These workers are outside the Ministry of Labour, but they are Singapore citizens. They do not have a labour union to represent them. We do not wish the Admiralty to suppress their workers who protected the interests and property of the Admiralty at a time when the anti-nationals, led by the Barisan Sosialis, launched their campaign to topple the Government. I hope the Ministry of Labour will resolve this problem so that all workers can enjoy and obtain the co-operation of their employers, not only in the matter of transport, as I have related earlier, but also other facilities and benefits, which will benefit both employees and employers as well.

Another point, Mr Speaker, concerns unnamed birth certificates. I ask the Ministry of Labour to consider more sympathetically and carefully matters relating to birth certificates which have no names. Mr Speaker, Sir, I quote here an example. A person was born here 40 years ago, but because his parents were either conservative or negligent, they did not name their child. Therefore, the name did not appear on the birth certificate. Holders of birth certificates without names who have worked here, whose names appear on the electoral register and whose loyalty is to this country are not given due consideration at all. I think this will defeat the object of re-registration.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in the matter of birth certificates without names, it cannot be denied that there are forgeries and falsifications by unscrupulous persons. Nevertheless the Ministry of Labour must also consider that there are bona fide cases where the holders of birth certificates do not have their names on the certificates. I hope the Ministry will find a way out so that the would-be forgers would be caught, but the bona fide cases whose loyalty to this country has been proved can be given due consideration.

I beg to move, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I merely wish to add a little to what has already been said by the Member for Kampong Kapor relating to birth certificates without names. I believe, Mr Speaker, Sir, that while the Bill which has been passed is good because it will prevent incidents of maladministration, it will also deprive the rightful citizens of Singapore of many facilities. I believe that since the announcement has been made regarding birth certificates without names and birth certificates supported by statutory declarations need not necessarily be proof of birth in Singapore, the office of the Citizenship Registry has been inundated with inquiries by applicants for registration, because they fear that they will be deprived of the facilities enjoyed by them. As has been explained by the Minister for Education, those who are not in possession of citizenship certificates or are not children of Singapore parents will have to pay school fees both in the primary and secondary schools. This will create a lot of problems to the bona fide citizens of Singapore. Therefore, I appeal to the Minister for Labour, who looks after citizenship and re-registration, to be flexible in the application of this particular rule, especially to those whose names appear in the electoral register and who have voted in past elections, so that their citizenship applications may be approved and that birth certificates without names but supported by other documents, such as school leaving certificates, may be considered as proof of birth for the issue of citizenship certificates. This is to facilitate matters for our bona fide citizens. If there is any doubt, then the rules may be enforced.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are two points raised by the Member for Kampong Kapor. However, I want to deal with the first one which relates to the welfare of workers in the Naval Base. What he has raised is a matter which is not under my Ministry, because, as we all know, under the Defence Treaty with Malaysia, which is still effective in Singapore, our labour laws are not applicable to foreign bases. So as regards this complaint about the Admiralty refusing to supply transport to members under their employment who have died, there is nothing we can do about it. But I am glad to hear of this complaint which I am prepared to forward to the Admiralty for their sympathetic consideration in future.

As regards the question of birth certificates with no names raised by the Member for Kampong Kembangan, I have already made several statements in this House before when the Member for Kampong Kembangan raised the question under the Supplementary Estimates and also during the Second Reading of the National Registration Bill. I have said that the provision in the Bill regarding certificates with no names is only a provision to deal with forgeries and people who use such birth certificates as a means to get their citizenship. I can quote an example. If we do not have a provision in the law regarding unnamed certificates, then all kinds of abuses will occur. For instance, if two brothers are born of the same parents one born in Singapore and the other in the Federation and if the brother who was born in Singapore is in possession of a birth certificate without name dies, then the brother who was born in the Federation will he able to come down to Singapore, using the unnamed birth certificate of his dead brother and claiming it as his own. In fact, he could get his parents to file a statutory declaration stating that the birth certificate actually belongs to him. Now if this is the case, then there would be quite a lot of abuses in this respect. And so this provision in the Bill is necessary only to deal with these forgeries.

6.00 p.m.

As to the person who is genuinely born in Singapore and who is in possession of a birth certificate without name, he has nothing to worry about. In fact, this is an opportunity for him to rectify his position once and for all, because it is very inconvenient for a person holding an unnamed birth certificate to apply for something from the Government whenever proof of citizenship is required. When the registration campaign starts, a person holding an unnamed certificate can always. If he can prove to the satisfaction of the Registration Officer that he was born in Singapore, have that fact registered in his future identity card, and he will not have to face all kinds of trouble in future when his citizenship status is examined.

So for the present, I think it is not necessary for holders of unnamed birth certificates to rush to the Registry to have their status verified. A person born in Singapore and holding an unnamed birth certificate and a statutory declaration made by either of his parents has also to produce other supporting documents, such as the birth certificates of his brothers and sisters, or his School Leaving Certificate, or the birth certificates of his children, or his vaccination certificate. If he can produce all these relevant documents to establish his citizenship status, then he will be able to provide ample proof to the Registration Officer, and thus he will have his status rectified.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I clarify a little bit on what my colleague, the Minister for Labour, has said and also with regard to the query raised by the Member for Kampong Kapor? The hon. Member spoke about members of the Admiralty Police who have no trade union. I think that is a disciplined force, Mr Speaker, Sir, and, for obvious reasons, it is not desirable that a trade union should represent a disciplined force.

Secondly, if there is any exploitation of workers in the Admiralty or in the Naval Base which has come to his knowledge. I am sure if it is brought to the notice of the Singapore Government, we will be able to make very strong representations indeed to see that our own citizens are not being exploited though they may be engaged by a foreign power in our own territory. I am sure anything which is not satisfactory there can be rectified by us, if the hon. Member will only bring this up.

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, on the matter of the incidents relating to the Naval Police personnel, I merely wish to state that perhaps the Minister for Labour could find a way whereby the labour laws could be fully implemented in regard to our citizens.

I have also sent a letter to the Admiralty authorities dated 20th December, 1965. I have put my views to them regarding the supply of vehicles on the death of the rank and file of the Naval Base Police. So what I state here is merely to request the Minister for Labour to take notice of what is being done in regard to our own citizens.

The Chairman: I do not think the Minister can take the matter very much further. Does the hon. Member wish to proceed with a vote?

Inche Mahmud Awang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $2,764,990 for Head 0901 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Head 1001 -

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (In Malay): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2004.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I merely wish to put forward a question to the Minister. How many students are there in the Muslim College Class for Religious Studies at present, and are there no plans by this Ministry to send students overseas, such as to Azhar University, or, in other words, to countries which are more modern and progressive?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng): Mr Speaker, the present arrangement whereby Muslim students are sent to the Muslim College Class for Religious Studies has been in existence since 1961. Students are sent to the College on a scholarship, tenable for four years, with an annual value of $1,500 which is paid direct to the College authorities.

The first Muslim Scholarship was awarded to a scholar who was admitted to the College in 1961 and he graduated in 1964. The second scholar was admitted in 1962 and he should finish his course at the end of this year. There were no scholars in 1963 and 1964: two scholars were sent - one of them left this College subsequently for further studies at the Azhar University in Cairo, and the other is continuing with his studies. In 1965, one scholar was sent.

The desirability of sending Muslim scholars to Cairo in future is, in fact, being considered by my Ministry and, to this end, inquiries are being made to ascertain the conditions and terms of admission.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: I withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $100. *

*The same amendments also stood in the names of Mr. P. Govindaswamy and Madam Chan Choy Siong.

Mr Speaker, Sir, to what extent has re-registration of political Parties such as U.M.N.O., the M.C.A. and the M.I.C. been carried out in Singapore? In the light of recent developments after Singapore was evicted from Malaysia, first, is the Government allowing the registration of the M.C.A. and the M.I.C., which, as is well known, are now defunct? Second, is the Government paying attention to the status of U.M.N.O.? According to the constitution of U.M.N.O., as I understand it, U.M.N.O. stands for United Malays National Organisation. If the constitution of U.M.N.O. provides that only Muslims can be members of U.M.N.O., then it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and Social Affairs to get a suitable name for the Party so that the word "Malay" will not be misused by people of Arabic origin who have the title "Syed" to their names, by people of Pakistani origin who have the names "Hamid Khan" or the name "Khan" at the end of their names, by people of Muslim Indian origin with such names as "Naina Mohamed" or "Naina Hashim", by people of Indonesian origin with such names perhaps as "Parjo" or "Pardjoe" or by people from the Bawean Islands, perhaps with the names of "Masmawi" or "Masmawal".

Mr Speaker, Sir, I bring out these points because this is a political matter which is related to the internal peace of the State. We do not wish to see innocent people involved in differences of political ideology, so that each political Party in this island carries out its functions, not by representing people of one particular origin but people of all origins generally.

I believe that the people in Singapore have come to a midway stage in their political progress where they are able to differentiate between Parties which are communal and those which are non-communal and for the general welfare of all. Therefore, to my mind, the political Parties which wish to be registered should fight for the welfare of people not only of one racial origin but for people who are citizens of the country as a whole.

But we know that there are political Parties which name their Parties after particular races, carrying out things which are undesirable and thereby involving innocent people. Because of this, it is the responsibility of this Ministry to ensure that there is a progressive policy so that these political Parties should be based on the welfare of the people of this State as a whole.

6.15 p.m.

Mr Govindaswamy: (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Kampong Kapor, who spoke before me, talked about political Parties. It is a fact that communal Parties will always cause trouble to the people instead of giving them good services.

We do not know whether we need such Parties. Can the Minister tell us something about this? If communal Parties are formed, they will create all sorts of disturbances in this country. All communities should be joined together to make a political Party.

If there are communal Parties, then it is no good for the people. Instead trouble will be created. So I want to know whether the Minister will change the rules.

Mr Sim Boon Woo: Mr Speaker, everything has been said about the racialist political Parties, but I wonder whether the Minister is aware that the anti-national pro-Communist Barisan registration is in his hands. I am asking whether he is in a position to cancel the registration of the Barisan Sosialis, as they are not interested in this House and in the welfare even of their own few constituencies which voted them. I think it is fair that the Minister should cancel their registration no more Barisan Sosialis and no more Communists. You know, butcher them!

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): I wish to raise two points, Mr Speaker. One point relates to my request to the Minister for an answer concerning the establishment of a Women's Institute to study the problems of women and to give facilities for the study of such problems; and to ask the Minister for the date when this Women's Institute will be established. This is because women's problems are very important and our Party - that is, the People's Action Party - made some mention of giving facilities for the solution of such problems in 1959 when the Party first came to power. At that time, we made a promise to the people of Singapore that when the Party came to power we would pay special attention to the general problems of women. Since we came to power, several years have elapsed. I am glad to note, however, that with the co-operation of our Party colleagues, many promises have been kept. For example, the Government has already made it a policy to safeguard the interests of women by having the Women's Charter passed to look after their welfare. The Women's Charter goes a step forward in safeguarding the position of equality of women with men, and the status of women in society has also been clarified and established, particularly in the field of economics. They are given equal pay for equal work, irrespective of their sex. We have given women a status equal to that of men. A few months after the passage of the Women's Charter, the former Minister for Finance took steps to see that women civil servants were given equal pay for equal work in all the Government Departments. Furthermore, steps have also been taken to alleviate the burden of working wives arising out of their great number of children.

Sir, ever since we came to power, many, many creches have been set up throughout the island of Singapore in order to look after the children of working women. All these steps have been taken in the interest of women, and we are happy to note that throughout the island many creches are available for use by working wives.

Concerning some young girls who have been `misled', the Social Welfare Department has also taken steps to solve their problem. As a result, this problem is not so serious now. In fact, the number of young girls indulging in immoral activities has decreased, and they are no longer posing a problem in our society.

However, I wish to point out that in spite of all these achievements and attention given to women's welfare, the Government does not seem to have done much with the plan for the establishment of a Women's Institute. We all know that Singapore is now independent. We also know that in the past it was said that we intended to set up a society in which there was no exploitation of man by man, so that socialism will be established and its principles carried out to the fullest extent. Under such conditions, there would be no problems for women. Now that we have achieved independence, we must give due respect and due weight to the possible contribution that women are capable of making towards nation-building. This, of course, requires encouragement from the Government, and the Government is duty bound to give women all kinds of assistance and facilities to help them make their contribution towards nation-building. I think that, with the establishment of a Women's Institute, we will be able to unite women of all races under one organisation, to study the problems of women, and to advance their interests so as to enable them to contribute towards nation-building and to tell them what they can do for our country. In this connection, I hope the Minister concerned will give due consideration to my request for immediate steps to be taken for the establishment of a Women's Institute which is, in fact, urgently needed at the present moment.

Another point I wish to raise, Mr Speaker, concerns the Commercial Service under the Ministry of Culture. Mr Speaker, the Chinese-educated people read the Chinese newspapers every day and see a lot of advertisements and news items relating to advertising. I think it is the policy of the Government to stop yellow culture and all material relating to it. The Government has in the past done and up to the present is doing and I think will in future do all it can to stop the growth of yellow culture. I notice that a great deal of attention ---

The Chairman: I think the Member should more appropriately move this under Head 1002 and not under Head 1001. The Member will get an opportunity under Head 1002, Culture Division. Is that all right?

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I feel that what I am saying has also some connection with the problems of women. That is why I am trying to put these points all together.

The Chairman: The Member may proceed if she relates it to problems concerning women.

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, we have noticed that the Chinese newspapers have often given space for advertising material which is not conducive to the interests of women. In some cases, such advertising material is harmful to women. I have discovered instances of Chinese herbalists and physicians publishing advertising material in Chinese newspapers concerning their art of curing some particular ailments of women. Some of them even claim that they are all-rounders - that they can cure all sorts of illness.

6.30 p.m.

Mr Speaker, this advertising material is actually intended for ignorant womenfolk. I wish to give a few quotations to give you an idea that such advertising material is connected with women's problems. I have here one advertisement which says: "If you have no children, you can consult me."

The Chairman: Will the Member cite the paper and the date of the paper?

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Yes, this is the Nanyang Siang Pau of 22nd December, 1965. There is another advertisement concerning abortion. The advertisement says: "If you have irregular menstruation, consult so and so, and if you do not have the desired result, your money will be refunded."

The Chairman: Is it from the same paper?

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Yes, from the same paper. There are many items of various types. There is also another type which claims that the physicians are capable of curing all kinds of sickness, ranging from the eye to every part of the body. They claim that they can treat all kinds of ailments with guaranteed results, otherwise money will be refunded.

Mr Speaker, I feel that it is the business of the Ministry concerned to take advantage of our present laws or regulations relating to the exhibition of advertisements, publications or publishing material to have some form of control and supervision over these advertisements which are rampant, so that undesirable characters are not able to make use of the loopholes in our laws to publish undesirable advertising material at the expense of our ignorant people and so that thousands of women will not fall into the trap of such quacks as a result of the advertising material. Otherwise, they will suffer a great deal in loss of money and even suffer some complications.

Mr Speaker, at the present moment, some people are still ignorant of the progress in medical science, although much publicity has been given to such progress. These people are the potential and intended victims of the quacks I have made reference to. They are gullible enough to fall into the traps set by these quacks and they will lose money and may even suffer to the extent of having some complications, as a result of which they will have to go to the government clinics when it may be too late. Because of these quack doctors, they may lose money and even lose their own lives. These advertisements of the quacks are of much concern to me, and I wish the Minister will take immediate steps to have some control over them.

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, the last point raised by the Member for Delta has more to do with the publication side. May I ask my colleague, the Member for Stamford, to answer that point?

As to the first point taken up by her, it is a matter of policy and a matter concerning the establishment of a Women's Institute similar to that of the People's Association. If she will officially write to the Government raising this matter, she will be informed of the position in due course.

As to the matter taken up by the Member for Kampong Kapor, on the question of the desirability of registering communal political associations under the Societies Ordinance, a society, whether of a political nature or otherwise, can he registered as long as the Registrar is satisfied:

(a) That the rules of the society are sufficient to provide for proper management and control;

(b) That the society is not likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to public peace, or welfare or the good order of Singapore;

(c) That the application for registration complies with the provisions of the Ordinance, or any rules made thereunder;

(d) That it would not be contrary to the national interest.

In considering the application of any political association for registration under the Ordinance, whether communal or otherwise, the Registrar, if he is satisfied that the organisation is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to the public peace or welfare or the good order of Singapore, or that it would be contrary to the national interest for the application to be approved, of course, rejects the application.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture (Mr Fong Sip Chee): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am grateful to the Member for Delta for bringing up the question of undesirable advertisements in the local newspapers. I am not aware of any existing legislation governing the professional etiquette of the so-called self-professed physician, but there is legislation being administered by the Ministry of Culture which may perhaps cover certain aspects of the complaint made by the Member for Delta. This law is known as the "Undesirable Publications Ordinance". In this Ordinance, there are provisions to control the contents and the desirability or otherwise of publications, even advertisements. Here again, Mr Speaker, I am afraid the Ministry of Culture is not the competent authority to decide on the bona fides or effectiveness of the advertisements so claimed, and I am afraid we have to consult the Ministry of Health as to whether or not they have in their Ministry any special body or any expert to decide on the subject. However, Mr Speaker, I would say in passing that this appears to affect not only the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs but also the Minister for Health, because, apart from the complaints raised by the Member for Delta, it appears that such an advertisement appears to be a direct confrontation of what the Minister for Health has earlier stated in the House, that he is going to introduce the I.U.D. Another aspect is that it might affect the Minister for Finance who will ---

The Chairman: What is I.U.D.?

Mr Fong Sip Chee: I do not know the exact term ---

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Mr Sia Kah Hui): It is intra uterine device.

Mr Fong Sip Chee: The Minister for Finance will be the next worried man because of the assurance given by such an advertisement, that if you wish to have a son, well you may have it. This may cause a tremendous population explosion. I am afraid that not only one Ministry is worried about such advertisements. I believe that, in due course, we may perhaps get together - perhaps five Ministries together - and come to a compromise with a view to introducing, if there is no existing legislation strong enough for that matter, some form of regulations or by-laws under the existing legislation to control such advertisements.

Finally, I would say that aside from the undesirability of these advertisements, they do provide very entertaining reading.

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs has said that a society will be registered if the Registrar is satisfied with the conditions as set out in (a), (b), (c) and (d) which he has enumerated. Will the Registrar be satisfied to register the said political Party if some U.M.N.O. members are non-Malays?

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, just now the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs replied to my remarks that his Ministry will not be in a position to do anything about the advertisements. But from what he said just now, that measures against such advertisements should be taken by the Ministries which are concerned with such advertisements, I hope that the Ministries concerned will co-operate with one another in order to stamp out such undesirable advertisements. I think this could be done and can be done. There is a saying that there is nothing impossible in this world.

6.45 p.m.

If we feel that such advertisements are harmful to society, especially to the health of the people, we should take immediate steps to deal with them. I feel that the Ministry of Culture and Social Affairs is in a position to do something about them, either directly or indirectly. We should stop such advertisements and give treatment to those who suffer from such ailments. I hope the Ministry will pay due attention to what I have put forward just now.

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to supplement what I have said just now. I wish to assure the Member for Delta that there is no question of passing the buck. Still less do we intend to start a merry-go-round among the Government Ministries on the subject. I fully appreciate the points raised by her and I am personally aware of the situation. As a matter of fact, the Controller of Publications has, on several previous occasions, discussed the matter with me and we are now digging deep into the existing Ordinances being administered by the Ministry with a view to settling this matter.

The Chairman: Is it the intention of the mover to proceed with a vote?

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): I beg to withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $987,460 for Head 1001 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

The Chairman: In accordance with the resolution of the House, the consideration of the other Heads of Expenditure is adjourned.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made progress on the general Estimates for 1966, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.