CULTURE IN SINGAPORE'S NATION-BUILDING

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, after attainment of independence, Singapore has made impressive and smooth progress in various fields, such as internal administration, foreign affairs, defence, economy, labour, education, culture, health, social affairs, industrial construction and trade expansion. To the two million people of Singapore, this is undoubtedly a great achievement to be proud of. Recently, however, in the field of cultural activities which are so very essential to the spiritual life of our people, some symptoms of decadence seem to have appeared. By cultural activities, I refer to the cinemas, the night-clubs, the dance troupes, books, newspapers and magazines, chain-picture story books, and the programmes broadcast over the radio and T.V. The problems I want to deliberate on today concern some unhealthy tendencies in the above-mentioned cultural activities.

As we all know, culture and art constitute an integral part of the spiritual life of the human being, whose four necessities of material life are food, clothing, shelter and travel. Cultural life exerts a great influence on mankind as a whole. A good culture will not only substantiate their spiritual life but will also help foster a good and wholesome character. It will also spark off their wisdom and thinking, quite apart from stimulating their will and spirit to move upwards and towards goodness and nobility. This is the kind of good culture needed by our newly emergent independent Republic.

8.00 p.m.

It being 8.00 p.m., the Motion for the Adjournment of Parliament lapsed without Question put.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move,

That the House do now adjourn.

Question proposed.