MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION

DR YEO NING HONG Minister for Communications and Information

Air Transport

Changi Airport has earned the reputation of being the best airport in the world. When the second passenger terminal is operational in the last quarter of 1990, the first terminal will be upgraded. Together they can handle up to 24 million passengers a year.

Sea Transport

The new container terminal at Brani will be operational in 1992. We will strive to maintain our premier position, and to raise productivity through wider application of information technology.

We also aim to develop Singapore into a regional cargo distribution centre and cruise centre, and an international maritime centre offering a comprehensive range of maritime services at competitive prices. We will continue efforts to enlarge Singapore's ship-owning and ship-management base.

Telecommunications

In 1990, Teleview, the world's first public photo-video text system, will begin full scale operations. This will bring information technology right into living rooms, and enable Singaporeans to improve their productivity and quality of life.

In 1989 we became the first country in the world to have a nation-wide Integrated Services Digital Network. The service is currently linked to major cities in Japan. In the coming year, it will be extended to cities in the US, Australia and the UK where such services are available.

We will also upgrade the national and international telephone networks with a fully digitised national telephone network by 1995. To further enhance the quality of mail services, we will build a new mail and parcel sorting centre by 1995. Land Transport

We have implemented the quota system for vehicle registration. We are studying a scheme of weekend cars, to enable more Singaporeans to own cars without causing more congestion on the roads, especially during peak hours. Preparations for introducing the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system are going ahead.

Construction of the MRT is nearly complete. The last station, at Boon Lay, will be open in July 1990. We are actively studying extending the MRT system to serve Woodlands and the North East sector.

We will continue to improve public transport, by integrating bus and MRT services and introducing through-ticketing. Public transport operators will be encouraged to improve their quality of service.

Information

We will continue to manage and promote domestic and overseas publicity of Singapore and its national policies, and develop among Singaporeans a commitment to the nation by fostering a sense of identification with Singapore. Programmes, campaigns and publications will inform the Singapore public, instil pride and confidence in Singapore, and promote national values and ideals shared by all Singaporeans.

We will extend our external information programme to countries outside the region, to strengthen our friendly relations with them and to promote investor confidence in Singapore.

Broadcasting

The 1990s will see the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) investing more in human resources and technology, to improve the quality and variety of its programmes to better serve our people. SBC intends to meet rising audience expectations through audience feedback, recruitment and development of creative talent, and the use of new technology.

With the installation of a second satellite reception dish, SBC will offer viewers more up-to-date and varied programmes. It will also introduce digitally based stereo sound on television. In addition, SBC has also just extended transmission hours of telecast on Saturday mornings.