HOLIDAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

6.03 p.m.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chan Chee Seng. I beg the pardon of the House. Mr Barker, the Bill stands in your name. Mr Barker.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Holidays (Amendment) Bill seeks to reduce the number of public holidays in Singapore to 11 per annum. The number of holidays in Singapore has always been set out in an Ordinance and the number of 'public holidays has from time to time been varied in such a manner that it would appear that each time there is a change in the number of public holidays in Singapore, this has been, more often than not, towards an increase in the number of holidays.

I think it fair to observe that until we joined Malaysia, the number of holidays was fairly constant. Although the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, now the President of the Republic, is empowered by notification in the Gazette to appoint special days to be observed as public holidays, such discretion accorded to him lay only when an increase in the number of holidays or when a substitution for an existing holiday was being contemplated. When we joined Malaysia, this Ordinance was repealed and in substitution therefor the Malaysian legislation was introduced to Singapore. In 1966 we re-enacted the Holidays Act setting out the legality or otherwise in regard to certain acts which may or may not be done on public holidays. By then, of course, the number of public holidays had increased to the present number of 16 per annum.

Quite apart from these holidays, there were certain rest days provided for in the various Ordinances and Acts dealing with workmen and labourers. These enactments set out certain compulsory industrial holidays which had to be observed and for which certain benefits would be paid to workmen who were required to work on these days. In the recent measures introduced by Government in order to prepare the country for the eventual departure of the British Armed Forces and for the economic upheavals that may follow in its wake, we have decided that the number of industrial holidays should be reduced to 11. At the same time, it was also thought proper that the number of public holidays in Singapore should correspondingly be reduced to coincide with the total number of industrial holidays per year. Not only then would the workers, but also all those resident and working in Singapore, whether in Government departments or in the private sector, be given every opportunity to make their contribution towards the national effort to remain viable economically, and progress even during the difficult years ahead.

It would perhaps be appropriate for me, in making this speech, to tell the House that Government sought the views of the various religious communities in our society on the proposed reduction of public holidays. The Hindus, for example, given the choice of having Deepavali or Thaipusam as a public holiday, have chosen the former. The Muslims have, after discussions and correspondence with the Muslim Advisory Board, retained Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji to enable members of our community who are of the Muslim faith, to discharge their obligations and attend mosque on those specific days. The Christians have retained Christmas and Good Friday, the two most important dates in the Christian calendar. The Buddhists have retained Vesak Day. Thus it will be seen that the choice of holidays that will be retained in Singapore have had the blessings of the Inter-Religious Organisation, an organisation represented by all the religious persuasions in Singapore.

The result of this Bill will bring us back to the less playful conditions which existed before we started to add on to our holidays as we had to please more and more religious and cultural groups in Singapore and Malaysia. I am sure I have the support of hon. Members. In common with all the measures that have been introduced in this House at this present sitting, the main object of this Bill is to contribute more towards the national well-being.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

6.11 p.m.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposed holidays are reasonably distributed racially and religiously and I also agree that the number of holidays should be reduced in order that we can increase productivity. But I would like to propose that the Government reconsider the deletion of Thaipusam from the list.

Thaipusam has been celebrated in Singapore since the later part of the nineteenth century and it has become an important religious celebration not only for the Hindus but also for the whole population. The kavadi procession is an attraction to everyone in Singapore, young and old. Moreover, it is a tourist attraction, as we all must have seen tourists following the procession and busily taking pictures. It will be a great disappointment both to the local people and to the tourists if the number of kavadi processions is reduced because Thaipusam is not a public holiday and, therefore, workers will not be able to take part in the processions. I therefore propose that Government, in order to encourage the tourist trade, should reconsider the deletion of this very popular public holiday.

Sir, whenever the Government reconsiders the question of public holidays, I hope Deepavali Holiday will not be abolished.

6.13 p.m.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Inche A. Rahim Ishak): Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to support the Bill for a somewhat different reason from that advanced by the Minister for Law and National Development. Of the six days allocated to the four major religions in Singapore two go to the Christians, two to the Muslims, one to the Hindus and one to the Buddhists. Quite apart from this, we have a responsibility to ourselves, in reaching our goal of nation-building amongst a community made up of so many races, religions, cultures and linguistic groups, to look to the other five holidays, examine what they should signify and how we should celebrate them.

New Year's Day is, of course, an international day of rejoicing. Whether it is in the West or in the East, i.e., in Communist countries or in Japan or China, the 1st of January is New Year's Day. This is one occasion for rejoicing and celebration among all races and all communal and linguistic groups in Singapore.

But much more significant than New Year's Day is National Day which is Just around the corner. This is not a day merely for Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists or the other minority religious groups in Singapore. For that matter, it is not just for any linguistic or cultural group. It is a day which all Singaporeans celebrate by taking part in various activities organised in the various constituencies. Just as we used to celebrate the 3rd of June as Constitution Day, you will find that in the last three years since we became independent, National Day in Singapore has been celebrated by people of various races and religions, and by cultural and linguistic groups as a day of national significance, as a day when we' achieved full self-government. On 9th August we will celebrate National Day as a day when we brought independence and sovereignty unto ourselves.

In my view, National Day transcends all other religious holidays which, in effect, are sectional celebrations, although on these days people who do not belong to these religious denominations take part in the festivities too. For example, Christmas is celebrated by Christians as well as by non-Christians in Singapore. Likewise, Chinese New Year is also celebrated by the non-Chinese; Hari Raya Puasa by the non-Muslims. Yet there is nothing to compare with National Day. The celebration of New Year's Day and National Day, besides the other three holidays upon which I do not wish to dwell, transcends all races, religions, or cultural and linguistic groups. It is for us, the leaders of the country, to help promote the significance of National Day to an even greater degree amongst the people. National Day is a day of rejoicing which we should celebrate with even more festivity and greater significance and feeling. Unless and until this can be brought home to the people, we will be back in the old situation where Christmas, Han Raya Puasa and the other religious festivities of the other religious groups mean more to these religious groups than does National Day. This, I think, would not be a trend towards progress in nation building.

National Day in the present context of an independent and sovereign Singapore is perhaps comparable to the 7th of November which is celebrated in the U.S.S.R. to mark the Great October Revolution. This has nothing at all to do with Islam, Christianity and all the other religions which exist in the Soviet Union. Yet in that country and in other countries with similar national days, the celebration of Independence Day or National Day, whichever you call it, has meant much more to the people over the years than just the purely religious festivals celebrated by certain sections of the people. I hope in the years ahead, as we slowly grow to understand the meaning and significance of independence, the meaning of being free to rule ourselves, National Day will be celebrated with greater feeling and significance by people of all races in this country.

Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, we all know that Singapore is a multi-racial society and therefore in the provision of public holidays we give equal treatment to all racial and religious groups.

I would like to raise one point. I wonder whether the Minister will consider the addition of one more holiday to the Schedule to the Bill so as to enable women folk to celebrate a common holiday. I recollect that the proposal for a public holiday for women was raised in 1957. At that time the People's Action Party was not in power. It was during the Lim Yew Hock Administration and the colonial era that we proposed Women's Day as a public holiday. But we have not achieved our purpose. The introduction of the Holidays (Amendment) Bill provides an opportunity. We should consider the inclusion of a Women's Day in the Schedule.

I believe you will agree, Mr Speaker, that in the course of Singapore's history from the colonial era through the self-government stage to today, when we are independent, women have contributed much towards Singapore's history. There are, however, still many women who are trapped in the coils of family life. While men are able to enjoy holidays almost all the year round, women are confined to the kitchen. Women's Day can be a day when women will be able to enjoy their freedom and equality with men. The inclusion of a Women's Day is, therefore, proper and necessary. I hope the Minister will consider my proposal.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I feel that the Holidays (Amendment) Bill introduced by the Minister for Law and National Development is just and fair to all sectional interests or groups. The Member for Delta has suggested the inclusion of another holiday - Women's Day - saying that women are in a less advantageous position. They are really looking down upon themselves. If that is agreed, we can also suggest a Men's Day.

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I remember that in 1957 when the women members of the People's Action Party raised this suggestion for a Women's Day, the Member for Sembawang supported it.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I feel that what the Member for Delta has proposed is not quite proper, because today both men and women have equal rights. Both have contributed towards nation building. Therefore, we must not claim special rights or privileges for either women or men. I feel that the proposition by the Member for Delta is not appropriate at the present juncture. I suggest that if there is a Women's Day, there should also be a Men's Day.

Mr Lee Teck Him: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Delta has said that there should be a day set aside to enable the women of Singapore to take time off their kitchens. I support this a hundred per cent. There are 58 Members in this House but there is only one woman Member. What is the reason for this great disparity in numbers? This is because there is no Women's Day for women and they cannot come out of their kitchen to serve the nation. There must be a Women's Day so as to encourage women to take part in national affairs and so that there will be more women Members of Parliament. I fully support the proposition by the Member for Delta.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the five Members who rose to speak in support of the Bill. I am sure the other Members who have not spoken would have spoken to support the Bill had we not been running out of time.

As you can see, it is easy to add on holidays - whether it be Thaipusam, Women's Day or Men's Day - because that pleases everybody. But the moment you cut down on holidays, then people get sad. It is my unpleasant duty tonight - in fact, one of my most unpleasant duties in Parliament today - to move the passage of this Bill. As you can see, Mr Speaker, Sir, you yourself called the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs, thinking that the Holidays Bill was within the portfolio of the Ministry of Social Affairs. I can assure this House that the subject of holidays does not come within the portfolio of the Ministry of Law. Neither does it come under the Ministry of National Development. But somehow I am here today moving something which has got nothing to do with any of my Ministries. But as I said just now, if you take something away, people get sad. If they do not get up and support the Bill, we can understand it. The Member for Anson wants me to reconsider and make Thaipusam a public holiday. Like the Member himself, I myself would prefer Thaipusam to be a holiday! Like the Member for Delta, I myself would like a women's holiday!

An hon. Member: What about a Children's Day?

Mr Barker: But in spite of the Women's Charter, the Member for Delta is still not satisfied. In this respect, we in Singapore give consideration to women every day. In fact, every day is a women's holiday. So I really do not understand this request. But she has support from the Member for Ulu Pandan.

Mr Speaker, Sir, suffice it to say that like other Members of the House, I myself would prefer more and more holidays. But as I pointed out earlier in my opening speech, in view of the British withdrawal - I hope perhaps with no severe unemployment or economic problems following in its wake - this is one of the measures we are taking to ask our people to work harder - which means you, me and everybody else. I ask Members to bear with me. If our island prospers, I am sure the Government will ask me to come :back here and on that day it will be my pleasure to move amendments to increase the number of holidays. But let us first show that we can work hard and that we deserve more holidays.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Barker].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.