CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND BOARD (Permanent filling of General Manager's post)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour if he will ascertain from the Central Provident Fund Board whether the post of General Manager of the Board will be permanently filled when the contract of employment of the present incumbent expires on 30th April, 1971.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Central Provident Fund Board proposes to fill the post of General Manager permanently when the contract of employment of the present incumbent, who is incidentally a Singapore citizen, expires on 30th April, 1971. A decision will be made by the Board at about that time.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim (Kallang): Sir, other than the present General Manager, are there any serving officers with the Central Provident Fund Board who are qualified to fill the post of General Manager of the Board?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Sir, I do not think it is proper to answer that question at the moment.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim: Sir, are not preparations being made to see that there is more than one person standing by to fill that position?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: There may well be many people inside and outside the Board who are qualified to fill that post at the moment, but the question does not arise whether the present incumbent should be replaced when the time comes.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim: Will it not be good management to look after all the contingencies that might arise in the very near future?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: I think the hon. Member will agree that the matter is in good hands.