CIVIL SERVANTS (Standardisation of normal working hours)

2.32 p.m.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the Government's policy to build a rugged and robust society, if he will consider standardizing the normal working hours of civil servants to the hours from 8 a.m, to 4.30 p.m., so as to allow all civil servants more time in the evenings to partake in the various forms of exercise.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr Tang See Chim) (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, officers may at present opt to work on weekdays from 8.00 a.m, to 4.30 p.m, or from 8.30 a.m, to 5.00 p.m. Those who are interested to leave early to take part in exercises or sports are free to opt for 8.00 am, to 4.30 p.m. Forcing those who are not interested to leave office early will not achieve anything. As the saying goes, "You can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make it drink."