CIVIL SERVANTS (Arrogant attitude and incompetency)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether his attention has been drawn to complaints by the public against Government officers in certain departments for their arrogant attitude and incompetency: and (b) if he will take steps to maintain administrative efficiency at a high level and ensure that Government officers adopt a proper attitude when dealing with the public.

Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are more than 50,000 Government employees. In the first eight months of this year, 17 complaints of discourtesy and 15 of bureaucratic behaviour have been made to the Central Complaints Bureau. These figures do not support the implication in the question by the Member for Sembawang that this is a problem of grave magnitude. The present disciplinary procedures are adequate for dealing with offences of this nature.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): (In Mandarin): Sir, members of the public who wished to apply for a certain thing wrote to the departments concerned but the letters were said to have been mislaid. Was this not the negligence of the officers concerned?

There are instances where squatters were affected by resettlement. When they applied for resettlement, they were asked to obtain other information. Was this not a case of trying to make matters difficult for the public'?

Mr Tang See Chim: Mr Speaker, Sir, on the question of lost correspondence, if the Member for Sembawang can give particulars of such allegations to the heads of the relevant departments, I am sure they will be looked into. I am afraid I did not quite catch his second question. Will the hon. Member please repeat it?

Mr Speaker: I think the first part of the supplementary question of the Member for Sembawang referred generally to the civil service. I think the second part of his question had to do with the Land Office and I do not think it need concern you now, Mr Tang.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir,I will submit particulars of my allegations to the relevant Ministry.