MINISTRY OF CULTURE

Cultural Policy

The Ministry will pursue the policy of allowing Singapore's rich cultural heritage gradually to interact and blend into a distinctive Singaporean culture. The Cultural Activities Section will be expanded into a Cultural Division and will embark on a wider range of activities.

The Ministry will strive for the better co-ordination of the cultural promotion efforts of other Government, quasi-Government and private cultural bodies. A key objective will be to provide our young with the necessary cultural ballast and to guard against the erosion of traditional norms and values.

More financial assistance and facilities will be made available to deserving individuals and amateur cultural organisations. There will be awards to give talent in the cultural field due recognition. More frequent cultural festivals will give artistes increased opportunities to experiment and to display their skills.

The Ministry is studying the need for a cultural complex and the best location for it.

Broadcasting

Studies are under way on how to improve the services provided by RTS.

There are plans to increase the number of radio news bulletins next year, and to recruit additional staff like a new grade of newscasters in 1979, and news commentators/analysts in 1980 to improve the presentation of news on radio and TV. RTS may acquire electronic news gathering equipment (ie. portable TV cameras and video-tape recorders) for speedier coverage of local events.

It is planned that all local TV productions will be in colour by mid-1980. With sophisticated equipment and additional staff, more creative and stimulating programmes will be possible.

Steps have been taken to produce new radio programmes for specific audience groups such as housewives, children and students. Increased listener participation can come through live productions and broadcasts from community centres. It is also planned to have programmes to assist in language learning.

National Library

The National Library has intensified the decentralisation of its services. A part-time branch was opened in Jurong in 1977 and the opening hours at the Queenstown and Toa Payoh Branch Libraries, and the Nee Soon and Chong Pang mobile service points were extended in mid-1978. A full-time branch in Marine Parade and a mobile service point at Punggol were added in November 1978. A mobile service point will be introduced at Tampines in January 1979. A part-time branch at Whampoa Community Centre is planned for 1979 and a full-time branch at Bukit Merah Town Centre will be completed by March 1981.

The National Library's collection now totals over 1.1 million items with borrowing running at 3 million items a year. The growth in the collection and in borrowing calls for the computerization of acquisition, cataloguing and bibliographical listing. Computerization will be implemented over a five-year period from 1979.

National Museum

The opening hours have been changed from 9 am - 5 pm, to 10.30 am - 7 pm for the convenience of the public.

By renovating its premises over the next few years, the Museum will provide galleries on the history of Singapore, more attractive display of its collections, and better storage for artefacts found in Singapore.

National Archives and Records Centre

The National Archives and Records Centre plans to expand and mechanise, wherever possible, its conservation services. An Oral History Programme, capturing people's memories of past important events on tape recordings, is under way. The publications programme will be stepped up, to ensure that archival records are better accessible to researchers.

Publicity Division

The Publicity Division will continue to explain Government policies, plans and programmes through its regular publications.

The Publicity Division also plans to bring out a series of booklets on various developments in the Republic.

More photo boxes will be installed in shopping complexes and large satellite towns to keep the public better informed of Government activities.

People's Association

The People's Association will work closely with the newly-formed Residents' Committees, and other civic organisations, to promote neighbourliness and the spirit of a caring society. There will be more programmes to meet new social needs. The Association will look for more volunteers with ability and imagination to serve on its management committees, youth executive committees and women's sub-committees.

Major construction work for 17 community centres will begin in 1979. Work for 28 other centres will follow in the period 1980-82. A public campsite on reclaimed land off the East Coast Parkway will be ready in 1980.

ONG TENG CHEONG Acting Minister for Culture