MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Singaporeans will earn higher wages and have more leisure time. They will need outlets in sports, recreational and cultural activities.

We can build a cultivated society which is culturally vibrant. We will nurture local talents by creating opportunities for their artistic expressions. We will send the very talented ones for training, both locally and overseas and provide financial and administrative support to local cultural organizations. We will also bring in internationally renowned artistes.

The renovation of the Kallang Theatre will be completed by the end of the year. Planning will then start on a cultural complex of international standard to provide the much-needed practice studios, galleries, theatres and concert halls to further the flowering of the arts. Steps will be taken for the Singapore Festival of Arts to blossom into an international showcase of the performing arts.

The Ministry will continue to promote the "Sports for All" policy. We will encourage all Singaporeans to participate in sports and fitness exercises.

There will be more and better sports and recreational facilities. By 1990, we will have an addition of seven swimming complexes, five athletic centres, three sports halls and several tennis and squash complexes. We will also build a multi-purpose international indoor stadium to accommodate international sports tournaments and conferences, family-type entertainment shows and mass displays and concerts.

The Ministry will provide the opportunities and environment for the disadvantaged, the disabled and the aged to develop and express their potential and abilities. We will do this by working closely with the families and the community.

The Ministry and the Singapore Council of Social Service will assist the voluntary organizations to play a more effective role. Education and vocational rehabilitation of the disabled will receive particular attention from the Ministry.

Senior citizens must be allowed to continue living with their families and in familiar environments for as long as possible. Care for the aged is more than an attitude of tolerance on the part of the children. The Ministry will conduct programmes for the social care and integration of the aged with their families.

The Ministry will physically upgrade or relocate existing institutional homes.

The Ministry will spearhead the setting up of more child care facilities so that mothers can work and increase their family income. We will provide the necessary incentives and assistance.

To cater for the social and recreational needs of the Muslims, work on a new Islamic Centre will commence in 1985. In addition, we will build eight new mosques by 1990.

S DHANABALAN Minister for Community Development