ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1994 TO 31ST MARCH, 1995

Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [8th Allotted Day].

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Head J - 1.58 pm

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Yuhua): ( In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100.

Sir, for the past few weeks, we have heard many comments from our colleagues in this House on the problem of family violence, juvenile delinquency, divorces, aged parents and other issues. But at the bottom of them all, the problem actually arises because of changes to the family structure and family values. As the Chinese saying goes, "Cultivate oneself, raise a family, govern the country and there will be peace to all under heaven." You must be able to keep a family well before you can govern a country and have peace and harmony. So we must be very clear in our mind about the right values and the right concepts.

The Ministry of Community Development has to take care of many issues apart from politics and economy, such as the livelihood of the poor, the aged, the sick, the deaf, marriages, family disputes, feedback, etc. All these are very wide ranging issues handled by one single Ministry and very often you can see the result of newly implemented policies only after three to five years. In this very pragmatic and utilitarian society, we still have a group of people who are prepared to sacrifice their time to work for the community and to maintain social cohesiveness. I think I should salute these volunteers and social workers. At the same time, I would like to appeal to the Ministry of Finance to consider allocating more funds to MCD so that the Ministry would have sufficient resources to meet the various needs in implementing long-term plans.

When I look at the 1989 report of the Family and Social Community Advisory Committee, I notice that a lot of recommendations have been accepted and implemented, and the Ministry of Community Development has been very fast in doing so. The report has about 10 pages of recommendations such as creches which look after 20,000 young children; for the aged, they have the Community Clubs for the aged; all kinds of schemes like the Family Service Centres and subsidies for the poor families in terms of utilities, and, recently, we also have the Small Families Improvement Scheme.

All these measures have been well implemented and I think we should appreciate the work done by the MCD. I am not singing praises of MCD for its own sake. I think many of the policies of the Government have not been transmitted to the various levels because many people are busy, so they tend to be rather absent-minded and even in this House, we can hear only complaints against the policies, but very few praises. There is one saying to the effect that good deeds are seldom known, whereas bad deeds spread very far. I think this is the problem that we have to face. We must be able to show care and love, respect, dedication, commitment and responsibility. I think the MCD has conducted many forums on these. But on family values, I think these are all very abstract concepts. We must know how we are going to link this with the reality of life.

We have three targets for the propagation of family values. One is the Government. The Government has already formulated one set of formula and there are provisions which state very clearly what we should do to establish the correct family values. At the same time, the Government should allocate more resources and funds for the implementation of the programme.

The other target group is the family. I think the family consists of parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, relatives and members of the family. On the social community, we have been asking people to cultivate the correct family values and we are all pointing the finger only at MCD. But there are a lot of social organisations like the women's groups and other civic organisations which can afford the time and the resources to coordinate the promotion of family values.

But there is one common problem prevailing in Singapore: how to spread this concept to the people. Before we spread this, what will be the reaction of the people? Many people feel that all these should be done by the Government and they take things for granted.

I want to discuss two aspects. One is implementation; the other is how to correct the attitude of the civic organisations and the civil servants. There are three frames of mind: one is reticence and reservation. Most people feel happy and satisfied with what the Government has done. But satisfied people do not express their appreciation because they do not want to praise the Government. So when people argue about policies and condemn certain Government policies, they do not come forward and speak for the Government. There is also the minority group who is anti-establishment and these are the people who are very outspoken and so they can get a lot of attention. Whatever the Government says and does, all these people will just criticise the Government, criticise its policies for very minor faults, for example, how we want to help the old people look after themselves by increasing the CPF Minimum Sum. They have been only criticising.

The Chairman: Order. Can I urge hon. Members to be brief? Question time took a bit longer today and, just for your information, we are running 30 minutes behind the schedule on this Head.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: ( In Mandarin): Sir, before I raise my questions, I would like to explain to the Minister that, in order to implement the policies effectively, the Minister should ensure that volunteers and civil servants must correct their wrong attitude, that is, attributing whatever success to themselves, and any wrong to the Government. They should not have this mentality. Often, when new policies are introduced, civil servants just implement what was spelt out in the policy. Their attitude is like that of the parents, "I do what I do, it is not for you to say."

I would like to ask the Government to give more money for public relations work for the MCD to do things like market survey, to promote human relations and public relations. Here, I would like to ask the Minister that, in terms of public education of social policies, how will the Minister coordinate with other Ministries.

I am glad that the Small Families Improvement Scheme has been introduced by the Ministry. What kind of coordination has been carried out with the other Ministries?

Are there any concrete plans for the implementation of education and publicity activities?

The Family Service Centre, I think, is very successful. How are you going to mobilise social groups, volunteers and religious groups?

The Chairman: Order. Your time is up.

Mr Koo Tsai Kee (Tanjong Pagar GRC): Sir, family value is the in-thing today. During the American primaries election, family values became an important electoral issue. The TV character Murphy Brown was savagely attacked by the then Vice-President, Mr Dan Quayle, for propagating values which erode family values. What did Murphy Brown do? Apparently, Murphy's decision to be a single parent incensed the Vice-President. But the attack on Murphy Brown backfired because many Americans thought the Vice-President was making a mountain out of a molehill, and the viewership of the TV programme, Murphy Brown, soared. The likes of Murphy Brown are worshipped like idols in America.

Sir, in Britain, John Major tried to do the same family value thing by launching his "Back to Basics" movement. The alliteration sings, but the movement backfired when public pressure exposed the philandering ways of some of his Ministers. Conservatives forced Major to back away or else the party will truly go back to the basics, that is, back to the Benches.

Sir, unlike Britain, the Singapore Government has not made family values into a national obsession. Family values cannot be ordained from up-top. It must be encouraged and promoted from within the family. Nonetheless, the tendency to stem the penetration of individualistic values into our communitarian value system is quite clear. The Government recently launched the Family Values seminar which I thought was rather timely.

Sir, it is not apparent to the West that the family is the foundation of the nation. In Chinese, or in Confucian language, the very word "country" is split into two words. The two words are guo jia ( ), meaning the sum total of all the families makes up a nation. In ancient China, when an individual has committed a crime against society, the entire family feels ashamed. This collective guilt minimised individual wrongdoings and ensured the survival of civilisation throughout its millennia. Similar family values have also ensured the continuity of the Indian, the Arabic, Malay and other ancient Asian societies. When my expatriate friend asked me: what is the essential difference between he and I? I always tell him that he is born with individual rights; I am born with social obligations.

But, Sir, the incessant penetration of contemporary western values has no doubt diluted our values in Asia. Singapore has also been infected by the individual virus. Individual values have been trumpeted as the sine qua non for living. Individuals, they say, are never at fault, only society is. When an individual has sinned, society is always asked to share the blame, not the individual, nor the family. The triumph of the individual, to my mind, is the root cause for the erosion of the family.

In this "International Year of the Family", I would like to ask the Minister for Community Development what programmes he has lined up for fortifying family values against the tirade of individual values.

Mr S. Chandra Das (Cheng San GRC): Sir, I believe that with the introduction of GST, the various assistance programmes implemented by the Ministry of Community Development will be affected. These programmes of the Ministry of Community Development are designed to help the disadvantaged in our society. The imposition of GST will certainly cause further hardship to the beneficiaries.

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister for Community Development on what steps have been taken to reduce the burden of GST on the less well-off in our society - be it public assistance programme or the rent and utilities assistance programme. I am sure any assurance from the Minister will give tremendous relief to the recipients of these programmes.

Sir, apart from the Ministry's own programme, I believe problems will be faced by welfare and voluntary organisations as a result of the imposition of GST. GST will have a negative impact in these areas. GST will not only raise the cost of providing voluntary welfare services but also lead to reduction of donations, both in kind and cash, from the public institutions and companies. GST will in fact serve to diminish the efforts by Government to increase the voluntary sector's participation in the provision of welfare services to the disadvantaged in Singapore. Welfare and voluntary organisations are concerned that many of their fund-raising for welfare programmes will now become even more difficult. I am told goods donated in kind also will not escape GST, although it might be a token one.

Sir, I would like to make it clear that I have no quarrels with GST per se. I am concerned as to whether the Ministry of Community Development is fully aware of the problems caused for welfare and other voluntary organisations. The Ministry of Community Development may be more caring and compassionate but my question is whether the Minister will be able to persuade his colleague, the Finance Minister, to be more compassionate. Therefore, Sir, it would be useful to hear from the Minister how he views the impact of GST on his own Ministry's assistance programmes as well as the work of welfare and voluntary organisations. More importantly, what steps will be taken by the Ministry to alleviate the problems of those affected?

Dr S. Vasoo (Tanjong Pagar GRC): Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate.

Sir, one of the greatest challenges facing Singapore will be its capacity to deal with the aging issue. How can we help the old to retire gracefully? What can we do in order to enable them to manage and adapt with dignity? I think these are some of the questions that we will have to ask ourselves, and whether society is likely to be very utilitarian that the old, who are retiring or who have retired and who have no contributions to make, will be dispensed off with less dignity.

I feel the Ministry has a tremendous role in trying to persuade, encourage and strengthen the families, and the various community organisations must have the capacity to support the aging population to manage themselves more effectively. 2.15 pm

Sir, it has been projected that the ageing population will grow very steeply from 14% to 26% in the next decade. In absolute terms, we are talking about 180,000 to 320,000 old persons aged 60 and above in the next decade. This is indeed a big number. And such a sharp increase has got tremendous implications on the services for the elderly. More importantly, the number of old persons aged 75 years and above will see a significant increase. This group is at high risk and needs close care and attention. Both the Ministry of Community Development and the Ministry of Health are dealing with this whole problem of the aged and there are perhaps areas where both Ministries will have to coordinate and work together. I want to know from the Minister what would be the direction that the Ministry would be taking in setting a comprehensive plan to deal with this whole ageing problem and issue.

The other question is: how would the Ministry be working with the Ministry of Health in dealing with the problems of the aged sick? This will become a very crucial and critical area where many families would feel the stress of providing care and attention to the aged, particularly those who require intensive nursing care.

Sir, on the question of abuse and neglect of the aged, I see that with the growing number of aged who needs close care and attention, there is potential danger of abuse and neglect of the aged. Some voluntary organisations have, in fact, been concerned about this matter. I would like to ask the Minister what steps are being taken by the Ministry to monitor the situation and whether there are any plans to legislate against abuse of the aged in our community.

Sir, the other area of concern is GST and funding. My Parliamentary colleague, Mr Das, has raised this question and I agree that it is an important issue that needs to be addressed. GST does in fact in a way cream off funds from charities. I state that this creaming-off itself is not charitable on the part of the Ministry of Finance. We should see how we could encourage people in the community, various organisations and groups to continue to support the various voluntary activities. The imposition of GST on charitable organisations could dampen people's interest to donate. When people begin to see that what they are donating, either in kind or in cash, or organising charitable activities, are going to be diverted into the Consolidated Fund, then it raises a question of appropriateness. It is not in sync, I would say, with the general interest of people participating in or donating to charities.

Sir, I also understand that, increasingly, there will be a lot of organisations providing services for the aged. And if one were to encourage them to provide more services, it can become a financial burden to them because most voluntary organisations will have to raise money from the public. What I want to know is that in order for these organisations to meet the challenges ahead and to be able to participate in the many helping hands policy of the Government, what steps would the Ministry be taking to support these organisations in meeting the challenges.

Dr Michael Lim Chun Leng (Cheng San GRC): Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate.

The Singapore society is primarily an Asian society. Recently, the five common family values that have been proposed are: (1) love, care and concern; (2) mutual respect; (3) filial piety; (4) commitment; and (5) responsibility. They have always been part of the values inculcated into Asian families as part of upbringing. They have become so much a part of our lives that you do not think of them as values that you need to learn about. The fact that the Government is embarking on this programme to promote such values is perhaps a recognition that, in this generation, some of these values have become alien. Is it because Singaporeans have come to value material values more than social values? Is it because the constant exposure to other value systems through the media have influenced Singaporeans to value the individual above the society and self before others? It is not just the traditional family value systems that are being threatened but community cohesiveness as well. About 90% of Singaporeans live in high-rise apartments where families often keep to themselves. Neighbours complain of excessive noise from each other's homes, rubbish is thrown indiscriminately and they tussle over which part of the common area is within their territorial rights.

Campaigns have been waged to promote social cohesiveness, the latest of which is the promotion of family values. Will this be another campaign, or will there be concrete measures to inculcate this in our homes, our schools and our workplaces? Are these ad hoc programmes? Or is there some grand strategy to help preserve the family unit and the kampong spirit of the community? Are there any new measures to arm our community organisations with the tools to enhance social cohesiveness? What measures are there to ensure that the elderly will continue to feel that they are socially relevant in this rapidly changing society? Perhaps the Minister will enlighten us on his Ministry's views.

The Acting Minister for Community Development (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, I would first like to thank the various Members for speaking on behalf of MCD, especially the Members for Cheng San GRC and Yuhua, and for their support for what MCD is trying to do and also how the Ministry of Finance could help MCD.

Before I answer the specific questions, I would like to take this opportunity to outline MCD's thinking and approach with regard to the role of the Government on the family and issues that surround this institution. This is necessary because of the wide spectrum of issues which surround the institution, stretching from marriage to parenting, to care of aged parents, support of working mothers and even to the status of women. These issues are complex and delicate and they need to be handled sensitively and with care especially when we have to contend with social, religious norms and with the many views from those who perceive themselves to be experts on the family.

We believe that a majority of Singaporeans support and subscribe to our core value of the family as the basic unit of society. The warm public response and the warm support of Members in this House to the proposed document on family values show that Singaporeans do treasure the unique ties of kinship in a close knit family.

But, Sir, how do we live these values from day to day and prevent them from being eroded from generation to generation? The starting point is that we have to recognise each family and each individual would have to decide and to determine their own future. The schools, the media, society and the Government can only play a supporting role. We can create a conducive climate and provide the necessary supporting services for the family and this the Government will definitely do. But we can never and, I repeat, we can never and must never take over or diminish the role and responsibility of the family in inculcating and transmitting values to our young. Childcare centres, for example, and even schools can teach their students on how to respect the elders. But the actual practice must depend on the nature of the relationship between the child and the parents or grandparents.

Our schools currently incorporate family themes into the Civics and Moral Education programme (CME). The Ministry of Health, childcare centres, family service centres, voluntary welfare organisations, civic clubs and religious groups run regular pre-marital courses, parenting seminars and family life education programmes. MCD also publishes its own newsletter called "Families Today". Last year, MCD commissioned two handbooks, one on Marriage Preparation and the other on Parenting, and we have also commissioned six videos on various aspects of parenting. The nub of the matter is how do we strike a fine balance between being supportive and yet not be overbearing in our efforts. We can illustrate desirable family values through nursery rhymes, songs, legends, posters, stories, or whatever, but if a child does not experience the love, comfort and security of his or her family, these songs and legends will, indeed, sound hollow. Society and Government cannot simply legislate and require family members to love and respect each other. So I am, therefore, very heartened, and MCD is also very heartened, by the response to the proposed set of Singapore family values. Constructive inputs were received from individuals as well as civic, welfare and grassroots organisations, and these have been compiled.

Family values must be something which Singaporeans cherish and want to live by. These are not codes of conduct or commandments laid down by the Government or a committee. They are also not cast in stone. And each and every Singaporean will interpret family values slightly differently and apply them to his or her own circumstances or inclinations.

Several MPs have asked how we intend to propagate family values. Here again, we would like the community to suggest to MCD on the best ways to provide these values, instead of MCD deciding by itself on how it should be done. After the document on Singapore family values is finalised, the Committee on the Family will be discussing with the various bodies, the media, schools and the community, on how to promote these values in a natural and most effective way. The Committee has already received some suggestions and these include the writing of stories and songs, compilation of family albums, etc. As with the drawing up of values, it is better that families, civic and community groups take an active part in transmitting these values and not rely on the Government to do so. I would like to inform the MP for Yuhua that the Committee's recommendations for implementation will be studied by the National Advisory Council on the Family and Aged (NACFA) and the relevant Ministries and statutory bodies. My Ministry and NACFA will work with the various groups on the promotion of these values. Besides the document, there are also plans to popularise the family values in a shorter version to be disseminated in various forms, such as posters, bookmarks and songs.

The MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC enquired about the programmes for the International Year of the Family. A special committee was set up last year to plan the programme for Singapore's observance of the International Year of the Family (IYF). Some examples of the projects which will be carried out to commemorate IYF are the song "Heart of the Nation" specially commissioned by MCD for IYF and the national Family Day Carnival which will be held in June. There will also be family carnivals organised by various organisations, such as NTUC and SINDA. A book fair with family themes will also be organised. An exhibition on family heritage will also be held and the IYF message will be carried on phonecards, coins, postage marks, and supermarket plastic carriers. Our theme for IYF this year is "Our Families, Our Future". 2.30 pm

Sir, the importance of having healthy and strong families cannot be over emphasised. But family ties need constant nurturing, constant attention and care. Family values have got to be lived from day to day, not just on anniversaries, festivals and birthdays. Fortunately, Singaporeans cherish and value their families and we will help them to do so.

Mr Chandra Das asked how MCD would help the low-income groups cope with GST. I am happy to inform the Member that the Government has put up a package of rebates and assistance to help the low-income groups cope with GST. We have the 5-year rebates for HDB tenants, for example. Under the rebates for HDB tenants, those residing in 1- to 3-room HDB rental and purchase flats will be given rebates for rent and service and conservancy charges for a period of five years. The amounts are $28 and $23 for 1- and 2-room HDB rental flat tenants respectively, $8 to $12 for 1- to 3-room HDB purchase flat and 3-room HDB rental flat tenants respectively. These are monthly rebates for five years.

In addition to that, we have one-time rebates for HDB tenants in 1994. The Government will pay three months net service and conservancy charges for 1- and 2-room HDB tenants and two months net service and conservancy charges for 3-room HDB tenants. As I said, this is a one-time payment for 1994.

In addition to these HDB rebates, my Ministry will also be implementing the following programmes to help the low-income groups.

Revised Public Assistance rates

With effect from 1st April this year, PA rates will be increased to take into consideration the introduction of GST. The PA rates will be increased from $5 to $15 per month or between 3 1/3% and 5.17% over the current PA rates, depending on household size. These increases will be more than sufficient to offset the GST.

Then, there is also a grant to grassroots organisations to help those who fall outside the offset net. Government will provide CCCs a total yearly grant of $3 million to assist low-income individuals and families who are not HDB flat owners or tenants to offset the GST which they incur. These are individuals and families who do not benefit from the rebates on HDB rentals and service and conservancy charges. They can approach the CCCs for help. It is estimated that there are about 20,000 households with monthly income of $1,500 or less who could benefit from this grant.

Then there is the Rent and Utilities Assistance Scheme (RUAS). This scheme is administered by the National Council of Social Service and is now being reviewed. The revision will take into consideration the impact of GST on the families who are under this scheme.

The Member also asked about the impact of GST on voluntary welfare organisations. My Ministry is very mindful of the impact that GST would have on the operations of these organisations. We have made representations to the Ministry of Finance and I am proud to report that with the introduction of GST, Government will provide additional grants to voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) providing direct services to offset the GST which they will incur for the next five years.

Turning to Dr Vasoo, he asked about Government policies and issues toward the aged and, in particular, what Government intends to do about the neglect and abuse of aged persons. He has mentioned the number of aged persons who will be in our community in future. However, the scene, fortunately, is not bleak, because almost 94% of our aged are well and fit. Only about 5% are frail and the remaining 1% bedridden.

The majority of the aged are living within a family nucleus. Only about 3.6% live alone and they are likely to be those who have children but choose to live alone, those who are left with an empty nest, ie, their children have grown up and left their homes, and those who are single and have no families of their own.

On the issue of neglect and abuse of aged parents, I would like to assure Dr Vasoo that the incidence of abuse, including neglect and abandonment, is closely monitored by my Ministry. Last year, we had a total of 166 cases of abuse. These were reported by hospitals and agencies providing counselling and support service to the aged. The number of complaints of physical abuse was around 10. In many of the 166 cases, it was difficult actually to ascertain whether the abuse reported was real or misconstrued. Many a time, when we think it is abuse, when we examine it closely, it is not really abuse in the true sense of the word.

Cases brought to the attention of my Ministry are given counselling and other assistance where necessary. If there is evidence of wilful abuse, my Ministry would refer such cases to the Police for action to be taken against the guilty party. So far, my Ministry, fortunately, has not dealt with a case which would warrant such an action.

The incidence of abuse reported is very low. It is 0.7% in relation to the aged population. This indicates that a high proportion of our aged enjoy good family ties and that filial piety and a sense of responsibility for the aged are still prevalent amongst most, if not all, Singaporeans.

With regard to support for VWOs who look after the aged, the Government has, since 1990, implemented a financial assistance scheme to give financial support to the voluntary organisations in the provision of residential facilities and community-based services for the aged and disabled families. Under the scheme, Government provides funding up to 80% of the development cost for new facilities or for the upgrading of existing facilities and up to 50% of the recurrent cost.

The other Government support includes tax exemption for donations for charitable purposes, release of State land or premises at nominal rates, assistance in the recruitment of staff or in the recruitment of foreign workers who are needed by these homes, and free medical treatment for deserving residents in homes.

With the introduction of GST, Government will give grants, as I mentioned earlier, to voluntary organisations which provide direct service to help them cope with GST increases. This will be for the next five years.

Sir, I believe I have answered most of the questions from Members, including Dr Michael Lim.

The Chairman: Mdm Foo, would you like to withdraw your amendment?

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Sir, the Minister has not answered my question on whether MCD will set up more Family Service Centres to give help to families at neighbourhood level.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I will answer that question later because there is another amendment on Family Service Centres afterwards.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap (Hong Kah GRC): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JA 1500.

Sir, in relation to promotion of family values, the promotion of community development should be given equal importance, because family and community are inter-related. We have a good network of community development structure in Singapore through the CCCs, RCs and other social organisations. These organisations are manned by volunteers and they have been contributing invaluable services to the promotion of community and social development. Most of the members serve tirelessly and devotedly to the cause of promoting social harmony, community welfare and all aspects of charitable as well as social activities. They sacrifice a lot of their time to be involved in these activities and, therefore, should not be made to be over burdened with the additional task of raising funds for these activities. I would therefore ask the Minister to consider, first, to grant more financial support to these grassroots organisations so that the volunteer workers from the organisations can spend more time in carrying out the work in fulfilling the objectives of these organisations instead of fund raising and that the community can be better served.

Grassroots organisations also need good logistics, administrative and secretarial support to ensure the successful implementation of the various projects these organisations undertake. Therefore, the Ministry should also consider restructuring the remuneration and benefits in recruiting staff into the secretariat. As I understand, it is difficult to recruit staff to serve these organisations. Because, apart from the demanding nature of work, they have abnormal working hours, as all community functions are usually organised in the evenings, at night, or during the weekends. It is important to have able and dedicated personnel to join these services, because dedicated and hardworking workers can inspire more volunteers to come up to join these organisations and therefore benefit the whole community and, in turn, the nation.

The Senior Minister of State for Community Development (Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon): ( In Mandarin): Sir, Mr Kenneth Chen has reiterated the important role the grassroots organisations are playing in nation building and asked the Government to give more secretariat support and funding to them. I thank him for his interest and concern.

I agree that adequate manpower support is essential for effective grassroots works. Many of the People's Association (PA) field staff work day and night, including public holidays, to assist the grassroots organisations to organise numerous programmes and services to promote social cohesion and racial harmony. The staff also help to arrange the community centres/clubs and residents' committee centres. 2.45 pm

The PA will review the staffing position at the constituency level and seek the approval of the Ministry of Finance for the necessary increase in manpower and funds. As a matter of fact, the Government has always been very supportive of grassroots organisations. Since 1992, the Government has approved capital grant of about $235 million for building, extension and upgrading of community centres/clubs and building a big modern Outward Bound Centre on Pulau Ubin. The Government has also increased the grassroots grants from $1 million to $1.5 million to set up facilities and support activities of the grassroots organisations.

Sir, as a matter of fact, the grant provided by the Government only forms part of the total cost required. Each individual grassroots organisation would also have to raise some funds on their own, eg, through sponsorship or fees from participants. Having participants of activities pay for some of the expenses will be a test of whether the activities are the ones needed by them. Participants will see a sense of ownership if they also contribute towards the expenses. Similarly, when the Government builds a community centre, grassroots organisations and residents also play a part in funding it. The Government subsidises 80% of the cost of building and extending CCs and 70% of the cost of renovating older CCs. The rest of the funds required has to be raised by the community leaders.

True, fund raising is not an easy task, but the process of fund-raising fosters team work among grassroots leaders and a greater sense of belonging and participation among the residents.

Sir, over the years, community leaders have raised millions of dollars for building, extending, renovating CCs and furnishing RC centres. The PA really appreciates their contribution. It is the hope of the PA that they will continue to give their cooperation, contribution and support to the community.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap: I thank the Senior Minister of State for his very comprehensive reply and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman (Thomson GRC): ( In Malay): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JC 1500.

Sir, divorce among Muslim couples has increased with the rate now at 21.4 divorces for every 100 marriages. This is a very sad situation because divorce has adverse social effects, especially on the children. One important matter to be resolved upon divorce is the maintenance for the wife and the children. In this regard, the Shariah Court has powers to hear and decide all matters relating to maintenance, as provided under Section 35(2)(e) of the Administration of Muslim Law Act. But because of unavoidable problems of manpower and service, the Shariah Court could not hear all these cases. Couples affected have to refer their cases to the civil courts. So, in the matter of maintenance, it would appear that the Shariah Court does not have the powers at all to decide. Why is this so? I would like to ask the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs what action would be taken by the Ministry to strengthen the position of the Shariah Court in dealing with maintenance matters. I hope the Court will be given more powers to decide on maintenance matters in the interest of the children affected by family breakdowns.

The Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), a married Muslim woman can obtain a Shariah Court order to compel her husband to pay maintenance under Islamic law. So the powers are already there. But powers aside, the Shariah Court usually finds it difficult to carry out its task expeditiously because of the high number of claims, a lack of manpower and other constraints, as the Member for Thomson had alluded to.

On the other hand, the Subordinate Courts have all the facilities necessary to resolve these cases speedily. That is why many Muslims go to the Subordinate Courts for a quicker resolution of their cases.

In order to expedite the cases, a Second President was appointed to the Shariah Court in 1992. Mr Abu Bakar bin Bawah was made the Second President of the Shariah Court in November 1992. However, he left the Court in October last year and Mr Syed Ahmad bin Syed Mohammad was then appointed in his place with effect from November last year. But then the first President of the Shariah Court, Haji Abu Bakar Hashim, will be retiring at the end of this month.

We are now awaiting the results of an interview conducted by the PSC and the second President would be appointed in April.

I have also asked for a review of the powers and practices of the Shariah Court in order that maintenance cases could be resolved more speedily and more effectively. This is being done. When the study is completed, we will submit it to the Government for changes to be made to the Shariah Court to make it more effective.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman: Sir, in view of the Minister's assurance, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JD 1500.

(In Mandarin): Sir, with regard to a small group of the poor and destitute under the Public Assistance Scheme, the Minister for Finance seems to have omitted to provide reliefs to them. Some of the price increases such as coffeeshop beverages, hawker food and bread are going to eat into the allowances of these poor and destitute who are now under the Public Assistance Scheme. Like most Singaporeans, they too have to take their meals at hawker centres and coffeeshops every now and then.

Currently, a single individual gets only $150 a month in public assistance. In other words, they will have to battle with these price increases every day with only this very meagre allowance. Although GST is only 3%, plus the various price increases and adjustments, it will certainly be too much of a burden on our poor public assistance recipients. It will certainly make life even more miserable for them.

I earnestly hope that the Minister will consider revising the rates of Public Assistance as soon as possible to help these unfortunate individuals and poor families to cope with this additional burden brought about by GST.

Once again, I plead with the Minister to seriously consider the request to revise the rates of Public Assistance. I strongly believe this will make the public assistance recipients feel that the society is full of care and compassion for them.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman: Sir, today about 10% of our population are elderly persons, aged more than 60 years old. This percentage will gradually increase to about 26% in the year 2030. We should therefore, Sir, prepare ourselves to face this aging situation by having in place various schemes that will assist the old in our society.

Sir, we have many old people living on their own in smaller flats located mostly in the older housing estates. The Ministry now has a Befriender Service scheme to assist in looking after some of these old people. However, Sir, lately we read in the newspapers of cases of elderly persons dying without the knowledge of their neighbours or loved ones. I think their deaths were discovered only after a few days. It is a very sad case indeed, and I think we should not allow this to be a frequent occurrence.

I wish to ask the Minister whether the Ministry has any plans to organise other volunteer groups amongst able-bodied neighbours or social groups in the community to assist in looking after these old people. I think this group could then help to make regular visits to the old people, perhaps help them in doing their household chores, running errands or even talk to them in their homes. This way, Sir, I believe we can build a more caring society. I hope the Minister could comment on this.

Mr Goh Choon Kang (Braddell Heights): Sir, I share the concern on the problems faced by our aged. I think the Government should consider the idea of a retirement village mooted by Mr Lim Boon Heng, the Minister without portfolio.

Sir, the retirement village will have elderly, friendly facilities but, most importantly, Mr Lim recommended that those living in the villages must have their children living in the same neighbourhood. This will help to relieve the smaller working families who have problems looking after their elderly and at the same time encourage them to still keep in contact, if not to stay together. 3.00 pm

Sir, MCD should also, I think, take active measures to reach out to these lonely elderly people. Currently, the Befriender Service only reaches out to those elderly people who are enrolled in the programme. But, I think, more should be done to reach out to more of them who have withdrawn themselves from the community.

Will MCD consider the feasibility of the retirement village and the form of assistance that Government can give? Or will it just leave it to NTUC? And what plans does MCD have to further reach out to the lonely elderly not enrolled in the Befriender Service?

Mr Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak): Sir, last year, the Public Assistance payments to the assisted persons were increased from $140 to $150 for the individual, and from $400 to $430 for a four-member household.

It is true that with effect from 1st April, there will be between 3% and 5% increase to take into account the effect of GST. In my view, even before this 3% to 5% increase, $150 for an individual is just not sufficient for the basic necessities of these people. If you will recall, the Minister for Labour in his ministerial statement said that for the creation of the Minimum Sum or the Retirement Account, the retirees or the old people would need $230 per month as the minimum level of subsistence. I am trying to compare. When we assist these people, they are being paid $130 a month. When we come to the Retirement Account, we require $230 as the minimum level of subsistence. There is a contradiction here.

I seriously hope the Minister will review and increase the payments to these 2,700-odd assisted persons to coincide with the coming into effect of GST, that is, 1st April this year.

If I remember correctly, the Acting Minister during last year's Budget session said:

`There are compelling reasons why we should and can do more for the disadvantaged.'

In the light of all this, I urge the Minister to seriously consider reviewing and increasing the Public Assistance rates with effect from 1st April, in order to alleviate the hardship of these people.

Dr Michael Lim Chun Leng: Sir, every year we hear of surpluses of billions of dollars. Yet there are always Singaporeans who, no matter what the Government does, would always have problems meeting ends meet. The Government has done much to help the poor but more can always be done. I am not asking for such generous welfare benefit that discourages people from working. But if we were to look at the current Public Assistance (PA) rates, I doubt that anyone of us here will be able to subsist on such meagre allowances. For example, the PA rate for one adult and one child is only $280, and for two adults and two children, it is $405.

I would like to make four recommendations for the Minister to consider.

(1) I would like to thank him for revising the PA rates but I would recommend that not only the PA rates be revised in April, but the increases be backdated. The poor will not benefit from most of the offsets given by the Government but they would have to bear the full brunt of the price increases associated with GST. I hope that the adjustments made in the interim will be fair and even err on the generous side. Unfortunately, price increases have already started even before the GST has been implemented. And therefore I think it is only fair that the increases be backdated, perhaps, to 1st January 1994.

(2) Revise the PA rates annually. Currently, PA rates are only revised once in two years whereas consumer price increases do not only increase once in two years. Hence, the Minister should consider reviewing the PA rates at least, perhaps, annually.

(3) Revise the method of calculation for Public Assistance. In calculating the Public Assistance, the Ministry conducts surveys and works out the rate. However, the current rates do appear rather low. I can understand the intention to discourage people from being dependent on Public Assistance. But the Ministry must be able to empathise with the families and give realistic financial assistance. Perhaps the computation of PA rates should be revamped to give more realistic rates. I would even suggest that after each revision of Public Assistance rates, some of the Ministry's officers should try subsisting on the new PA rates before they are implemented.

(4) Variable PA rates. The subsistence needs of a family of two healthy adults and one healthy child cannot be the same as that of a family of a single mother with a sick elderly father and a handicapped child. Yet both are given the same Public Assistance rate of $340. I would recommend that the Ministry should consider a range rather than a fixed sum for each type of family unit.

I hope that the Minister would not reject my recommendations by saying that we must not cultivate a welfare mentality. We have worked together in the GPC for Community Development and we shared the same sentiments and the same vision for the poor. Now that he is the Acting Minister for Community Development, I hope that he and I will continue to share the same sentiments and vision for the poor.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Encik Yatiman Yusof): Sir, I am not so sure how the Member for Bukit Gombak arrived at the figures that he mentioned and the conclusion he came out with. But just as Dr Michael Lim, I share our concern affecting the poor.

Sir, Singapore has been known to be most prudent in managing the financial assistance of the poor, the sick and the disadvantaged, and those incapable of supporting themselves and their families. The thrust of our policy is that such assistance should not blunt the initiative and discourage them from becoming overly dependent on the Government.

We are happy to learn that the Acting Minister for National Development is actively looking into helping those belonging to the lower income bracket and those renting the HDB flats to own them. And this year's Budget, the Minister for Finance is seen as a Minister who is pro-people too by presenting his pro-people's budget. I am sure the Acting Minister for Community Development may wish to consider moving in tandem by reviewing the Public Assistance scheme to meet the increase in cost of living, GST, etc.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I would like to thank the Members for the suggestions on the Public Assistance scheme. The Members for Changi, Bukit Gombak, Cheng San GRC and Tampines GRC asked about the PA scheme.

Sir, the question of PA rates has always been an issue of contention. They somehow are never enough and the eligibility criteria are always deemed to be strictly applied. Let me reiterate the philosophy of the Public Assistance scheme, that is, to provide basic subsistence for the truly destitute. So it is quite different, therefore, from what the Member for Bukit Gombak said when he compared it with the Minimum Sum or Retirement Account. They are for different target groups.

Sir, different people will definitely have different perception of what is basic subsistence level, and that is why the PA rates are based on surveys of actual living conditions and actual consumption patterns of low-income families. These are not just figures which we grab from the air. These are actual cases of low-income families.

So the current PA rates are based on these surveys. The current rates, for example, are based on a survey, which we carried out in 1990, on the lifestyles and consumption patterns of PA recipients and low-income families. These were reviewed in 1992 and revised in 1993 to reflect increases in the cost of living.

The PA rates will be revised again next month, as I have mentioned earlier. With the introduction of GST, Government will increase the PA rates between 3 1/3% and 5.17%. These, we believe, are more than sufficient to cover GST increases. As I have mentioned just now, 60% of the PA recipients will receive additional assistance from HDB by way of GST rebates.

The Member for Cheng San GRC pleads for more lenient criteria to qualify for PA. Sir, the eligibility criteria for PA have to be stringent. They have to be. It is not a dole for the unemployed or to the indolent who have no desire to work. It is for those who cannot work. So the PA scheme is meant to help the destitutes who have no family or no friends to help them and to give relief to the low-income groups who are in temporary difficulty. There have been cases where PA applicants withdraw their requests when they know that they would be thoroughly investigated for their means. For example, in 1993, 711 applicants failed the means tests as they had savings or were already receiving other financial assistance.

Still, I would like to assure the Member for Cheng San GRC that those who do not qualify for PA are also helped in other ways by other agencies, not necessarily by the Government. For example, those who need temporary financial help are given financial help from charitable funds administered by MCD itself. Others are referred to voluntary welfare organisations or grassroots organisations for advice, counselling and assistance in either cash or kind. And those with school-going children are linked to schools for free textbooks, free meals, waiver of fees. And it is not true, Sir, that we apply across-the-board the same amounts because we do look at the circumstances of each family and, although they will be paid PA rates, they will also be helped in other ways. In other words, a single-person family will have the standard PA rate and, at the same time, if there are other needs of the single person, we will try to get other organisations to help. Similarly, also, those with school-going children or aged parents, the PA rates will apply but, again, in addition to all these, we will also try to get additional help from other organisations.

So we do take each case by itself on its own merits and we will try and marshall all our resources and also the resources of the organisations to try and help them.

The Member for Tampines GRC may wish to know that my Ministry will be reviewing the PA rates again in the next financial year. A survey will also be conducted to determine the consumption patterns of low-income families and this time the impact of GST on these families. And the revision will be based on the outcome of the survey. I am afraid we cannot do it annually because, in the first place, we have got to do surveys and carry out studies. To do it every year is not cost-effective and changes within one year will not be that wide. Of course, with GST, it is a different situation altogether but, normally, changes between one year and the other will not be that big. But I do assure the Member that I will get my officers to study his recommendations and see whether any of them could be considered and also to be adopted by my Ministry.

Encik Ibrahim Othman and Mr Goh Choon Kang raised the concern about the problems of the aged, and the number dying alone in their flats. I would like to assure Members that MCD and I are very concerned about this problem. As I have mentioned earlier in my reply to Dr Vasoo, there are about 3.6% of aged living alone in our midst. Since 1990, 27 cases of aged persons, who died alone by natural causes, have been reported in the press and almost 80% of the cases reported were males and all, except two, lived in one-room HDB flats. And given today's smaller families and the increasing number of singles living on their own, there may be an increase in the number of aged living alone in the future. My Ministry will certainly monitor this trend carefully and closely. 3.15 pm

With regard to programmes for the aged, there are several in place to support the aged in the community. This is a question raised by Mr Goh Choon Kang. These programmes are designed to enable the aged to live an active social life and to develop strong bonds among themselves so that they can provide mutual support, and also between themselves and the community so that they can help each other in times of need. For example, for the lonely aged and the community, my Ministry runs the Befriender scheme. Currently we have 739 volunteers matched to about 1,500 aged. So we will expand this service and we will try and get more volunteers so that more aged can be helped and they would not be alone. Programmes which provide the aged with opportunities for recreational and social activities and for making new friends are also being done. For example, there are Senior Citizens Clubs run by PA and voluntary organisations. There are also mutual help groups run by RCs. There are keep fit and sporting activities programmes which are actively promoted by Singapore Sports Council and the People's Association. There is also a continuing education programme organised by PA and the Department of Extramural Studies. We also have a toll-free hotline counselling service operated by a voluntary organisation, that is, the Singapore Action Group for Elders (SAGE) where the aged can call in free and discuss their problems with a counsellor at the other end of the line.

Sir, my Ministry will also be working closely with HDB and voluntary and grassroots organisations on a pilot project to provide a more user-friendly and supportive environment to the aged living alone in selected HDB rental flats. Under this pilot project, HDB will refurbish three blocks of one-room HDB flats and the grassroots organisations will each adopt a block to provide better care and support services to the aged tenants. If this pilot project is successful, this programme will be extended to other blocks, or areas, with a high concentration of the aged living alone.

Sir, I would strongly encourage the aged living alone to continue to remain active in the community and to participate in the various programmes that best suit their needs either as a beneficiary or as a volunteer.

With regard to retirement village, Mr Goh has spoken in support of Mr Lim Boon Heng's suggestion for the development of retirement villages for our aged who do not wish to live with their families, even if they do have families, but do not mind leaving their children. I recognise that some aged prefer to live independently in a sheltered environment where they can enjoy security and also central services. The needs and expectations of our future aged would, indeed, be different from those of today's aged. My Ministry is currently assisting the voluntary sector to provide sheltered housing facilities which are close to the concept which Mr Lim Boon Heng referred to. This would be for the destitute, or the low-income aged, who are fit and who do not have families, or are unable to live with their family members. So unlike an institution, or homes for the aged, this sheltered housing would provide dormitory-style living and they will provide shared dwellings for the aged. The residents would be allowed an independent lifestyle and access to a central support service where meals and recreation will be provided. And this housing will be located within the housing estates, amenities and other facilities so that they would actually be living in the community and not separate from the community. These facilities, we reckon, will house between 120 and 150 aged residents, including couples. I am happy to inform the Member that accommodation in such sheltered housing will be free or at very subsidised rates for the low-income destitute.

For those who can afford, Sir, we will leave it to the private sector to provide retirement housing. If the unions, or other cooperatives, want to develop such housing arrangements for their members, they can explore the feasibility of doing so with the relevant housing authorities.

Sir, it is opportune for me to stress here that in promoting sheltered housing, or retirement villages, we should not erode our policy of encouraging the family to take care of the aged and for the aged to live with their families, wherever possible. Neither should we provide an easy recourse for children to abandon their parents in such facilities, thereby eroding family togetherness and family responsibility that we cherish so much.

Mr Ling How Doong: Sir, can I seek clarification?

The Chairman: Yes. We have run out of time but make your point quickly.

Mr Ling How Doong: Sir, could I get a clarification from the Minister that the $150 which is paid to a person is for food alone? Quite obviously, it must be so, because it does not include education and all these things.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: As I said, the $150 is an all-in payment. But if a single person has got other needs and if he could show that the $150 is not enough, we will try and assist him through other help, not necessarily in cash, from voluntary organisations.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: Sir, just one question for the Acting Minister. Since the GST is coming into effect from 1st April 1994, could the Minister consider revising the PA rates earlier, instead of waiting for next year to do the revision?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I do not think we can revise the PA rates before 1st April. In the first place, we hardly have enough time for that because we have to really study this situation carefully. But anyway the Government has already decided to increase the rates to PA recipients, as I mentioned earlier, by adding between 3 1/3% and 5.17% to offset the GST increases. We think this would be sufficient for the time being.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: I thank the Minister for the reply and beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Amendment No. (5). We have five minutes for this discussion. Mr Chay.

Mr Chay Wai Chuen (Brickworks GRC): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JD 2600.

I have raised this point before with the Minister for Community Development but I have never received a convincing answer from his predecessor. It concerns the administering of the Rent and Utilities Assistance Scheme (RUAS). I believe that a sum of $25 million was paid to this scheme to help the poor and needy from the 25th Anniversary Fund. The present scheme is only available to people who are in arrears of rental, that is, only to people renting flats. I believe that 90% of Singaporean households in HDB flats own their own flats. So they are automatically excluded from help. The heads of these households who own their own flats do get sick, they get injured in accidents in the course of work and are temporarily out of work because of these reasons. During this difficult period, they need help most when they are not able to get a normal salary. Can we not even pay for these people the utilities and service and conservancy charges that they have to pay every month? Surely, we need not be so circumscribed in our thinking that because it is called a RUAS scheme, we can only help people who rent houses, or flats, from the HDB.

I urge the Minister to review this policy with a new perspective. Perhaps, he can call it a Needy Utilities Assistance Scheme (NUAS). I am sure the people who run into these problems now and then will be grateful to the Minister. Is the Minister satisfied that the money under the National Council for Social Service (NCSS) for this RUAS scheme is put to effective use?

Dr Michael Lim Chun Leng: Sir, the Family Service Centre (FSC) provides important social support for a changing society. The Singaporean family today is faced with the pressure of working parents with little time for children, the pressure cooker school environment for the children, youths with high aspirations facing a more difficult future and a growing elderly population. Such pressures tug at the fabric of our family unit and sometimes break the thread that holds the family together. The FSC is an important channel through which pressures facing the family can be dissipated and family values can be promoted.

We should continue to promote the concept of FSC. The interest from the 25th Anniversary Endowment Fund was supposed to fund social projects, like the FSC. However, over the last few years, little has been heard about the FSC. Can the Minister enlighten us on (1) the status of the FSC; (2) the Government support for Family Service Centres; and (3) future plans for the Family Service Centres?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I would first like to respond to Mr Chay's remarks. I would like to clarify that the Rent and Utilities Assistance Scheme (RUAS) is administered not by MCD but by the National Council of Social Service. Second, as the name implies, the scheme was implemented to assist a specific target group and not for residents of purchase flats. In other words, the target group will be low-income families living in rental flats and have difficulties paying their HDB, PUB or Town Council rates. So the scheme, therefore, serves a very specific and special purpose and I do not see any necessity for it to be renamed because if it is renamed, then it is a different programme altogether and it becomes a different issue. But the Member may wish to know that families facing financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances can apply to HDB for assistance, or they can go to other voluntary organisations, not necessarily through the RUAS scheme specifically. For example, we have had occasion to refer to NCSS cases where people have difficulty in paying their light and water rates and they have had their utilities reconnected after payment was made by voluntary welfare organisations.

I would like to thank Dr Michael Lim for his support for the Family Service Centre's development programme. This has also been asked by the Member for Yuhua. The FSC concept was piloted in 1990 as a one-stop neighbourhood social service centre aimed at making welfare services more easily available to families in need. In 1992, a consultant firm was commissioned to evaluate the pilot scheme and the findings of the study did confirm that the FSCs met a community need and, indeed, it is something which ought to be encouraged. So following the study, my Ministry refined the concept in the configuration of the FSC as well as the scope, programme and service. We are happy to announce that FSCs will be established throughout Singapore, on the basis of one FSC per population centre of 100,000 persons or more. Based on this norm, it is estimated that there will be about 24 FSCs that we will have to develop across the island. 3.30 pm

Currently, there are two FSCs. Over the next five years, another 22 will be set up, 7 will be new ones and 15 will be existing social service centres which we will have to upgrade into FSCs.

The Government will set aside a total of $7.3 million for capital and recurrent funding of FSCs. The Government will fund 80% of the capital expenditure and 50% of the operating expenditure of the FSCs. In addition to this, a grant will also be provided to train and equip the social workers in the FSCs with the necessary skills required to operate the FSC. And the National Council of Social Service will be coordinating the FSC scheme.

Mr Chay Wai Chuen: Sir, the Minister has given me the same reply as the previous Minister. In spite of that, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Amendment No. (6), Dr Toh. We have three minutes for this amendment.

Dr Toh Keng Kiat (Nominated Member): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Development Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JD03990013.

Sir, I was prompted to make this cut after reading three stories about the aged in our newspapers. The first concerned an aged trishaw rider who shared his 1-room apartment and $150 Public Assistance allowance with another aged trishaw rider and a young man who was mentally retarded. The second story told us that an old man kept his dead wife at home for several days before seeking help. The third story concerned a 97-year old woman who got up at 3.00 am to travel several kilometres just to receive a $50 gift.

Will stories like these become regular features in our newspapers? I do not think so. There is no lack of social service clubs, civic organisations and even individuals who are prepared to do charity in Singapore. But, unfortunately, while many Singaporeans have learnt the virtue of giving, many have also not learnt to do it in a gracious manner and not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. Everyone wants to play the solo virtuoso and seeks to perform publicly so that he can get acclaim. Let us learn to play together as an orchestra. But we must first learn our scores so that we do not play out of tune.

We start by recognising what the needs of the aged are. The public's perception of the aged is a destitute person, very much dependent on social welfare for his very existence. People forget that the majority of the aged are the aged well and not the aged sick. Their needs may not be just material but also psycho-social and recreational. They do not just need homes, food and clothing, but also company, appreciation and love.

The Chairman: Dr Toh, the three minutes include the time for the Minister.

Dr Toh Keng Kiat: Yes, Sir. We have already heard that the aged in Singapore today have many facilities. But I would urge the Minister to consider seriously the setting up of a national agenda for the aged and to include in this:

(1) recognition and constant review of the changing needs of the aged;

(2) public education to increase awareness of these needs;

(3) assessment of current facilities to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency and to coordinate them;

(4) formation of a wide community-based network of assistance to the aged which should be affordable and easily accessible;

(5) inclusion of facilities for the aged in housing and town planning programmes;

(6) concessionary and complimentary admission to places of interest and recreation.

Finally, Sir, as many more Singaporeans go overseas to work as expatriates, this will compound the problems of the aged, as parents are being left behind and the expatriates do not return to look after them.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I would like to thank Dr Toh Keng Kiat for mentioning something which we in the MCD are also concerned with.

Ageing is a national concern. And policies and programmes concerning the aged, therefore, cut across various Ministries and also the various statutory boards on the island. I would like to assure Dr Toh, however, that programmes and policies are not segmented. The National Advisory Council on the Family and the Aged (NACFA), which meets regularly and which has got various sub-committees, was formed in 1989 and it was set up with the specific purpose of identifying and monitoring issues, needs and problems concerning the family and the aged.

It has representations from the various relevant Ministries. It identifies gaps and recommends policies and programmes to respective Government and other relevant bodies and, where necessary, to address these gaps. But I would get MCD to look into the recommendations which the hon. Member has suggested and will see whether any of them could be included in the programme.

Dr Toh Keng Kiat: Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Amendment No. (7), Mr Kenneth Chen. Three minutes.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap: Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JG 1500.

On the implementation of five identified family values, the Acting Minister said the MCD plans to popularise the shorter version in various forms such as posters, bookmarks or songs, and maybe have some sort of campaign to reach out to the people. Is that enough? I doubt so. In my opinion, we need, first, to decide the target group in which all these values need to be inculcated. They must be targeted at the younger generation from the age of 2 to 18.

Not so long ago in our Eastern society, it would sound very strange that these values have to be consciously promoted. But it is a fact that these family values are slowly being eroded. It is important to recapture and retain these values in our family before they are being further eroded. To achieve this objective, we have to go back to the root of the problem, starting with the family and the schools.

First, the family. We must place greater importance in bringing up our children in the proper family environment. Children must be taught to obey the parents and respect the elder brothers and sisters. In this respect, MCD should always consciously promote the importance of family bond and emphasise the importance of the parent being the head of the family and that the children will always have to obey and respect the parent at all times. They should give maximum support to organisations within the MCD and any outside charitable or welfare organisation that give counselling and support to troubled families, so as to ensure that the family structure is intact.

Secondly, although generally it is recognised that the academic standard in our schools is among the best in the world, I feel that the learning of knowledge alone cannot build a complete person and should not be the prime importance of the school curriculum, especially in the kindergarten and the primary schools. I propose that the schools should review the curriculum and put more emphasis on moral education and the teaching of family values. Because if students do not develop their proper character and moral values, no matter how well they do in the academic field, they may do more harm than good in society.

Apart from these two areas, because of the development of modern day technology, television has become a very important medium that influences the character of our youths. I know MITA has already had its share of time in this House. But I still want to point out that it has a great responsibility if we were to help promote MCD's Singapore family values. It should in its programme place more importance on imparting these values to the viewers. One good example is the tremendous influence of a good educational programme on TV "Sesame Street" which has done a generation of good to our young all over the world. MCD should not be made to shoulder the entire responsibility for this project. They should work with the Ministry of Education and MITA to make a success out of this undertaking.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I entirely agree with Mr Chen that family value programmes ought to start in kindergarten. But the style and approach may be different. This is something we will be looking into. And as I mentioned earlier, we have got the CME programme in schools.

Sir, all of us are human. While we may know what is the right thing to do, sometimes we forget and sometimes we overlook things that we can do to improve our family environment.

Sir, the purpose of having posters, bookmarks and songs on family values is not to teach adults how to be filial. It is rather to serve as a gentle reminder to us all. Time and again, we have middle-aged couples telling us that they should have attended marriage counselling courses earlier. And now we have many people who tell us that the document on family values should have been done earlier. So it is not true to say that we should only concentrate on the young to inculcate family values and that it is useless to promote them among adults. We will have to remind ourselves of the importance of family values and the importance of practising it.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Amendment No. (8), Mdm Foo. I am afraid we are fast approaching "guillotine" time. And I will now have to ration the time very strictly amongst the Members who are scheduled to speak. Mdm Foo, you have two minutes to speak. Mr Low, you have two minutes. Mr Chiam, you have four minutes for your two subjects.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JH 3100.

Sir, a thriving community centre (CC) is a sign of a vibrant community. The community centre is a key to building greater social cohesiveness and racial harmony. In the past, people used to live in one area of Singapore for much of their lives. Today, families are very mobile. One could live in four to five different places within one's lifetime. How do CCs fit into these changes?

CCs have to serve as the chief focal point for interaction between residents in the same housing estate. CCs also face tougher competition than before. In the past, we had very few social clubs. Our schools also did not have a wide range of sports facilities and enrichment programmes. CC facilities and programmes were attractive then.

Now, Singaporeans have more choices offered by all kinds of clubs, societies and schools. Sir, I would like to know whether we are facing an upward or downward trend in the rate of participation in and usage of CC facilities. What plans do we have to keep community centres relevant to the residents today and in the future?

The Chairman: Mr Low.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: I am not speaking, Sir.

The Chairman: Mr Chiam.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, I will be skipping the second amendment.

This year, the total fund allocated for the People's Association programme is about $132 million; out of which about $82 million is set aside for operating expenditure. These funds are all taxpayers' money. Yet, they are expended mainly for the benefit of the PAP.

An hon. Member: Old song! 3.45 pm

Mr Chiam See Tong: The community centres and all the grassroots organisations at the constituencies are under the control and for the use of the PAP. The Opposition Members of Parliament, although they are duly elected by the people of Singapore, are shut out from the People's Association programme. We often read in the newspapers that certain PAP Members of Parliament carried out this or that programme in their own CCs or their community centres have won certain prizes for being the best run community centres. There are two aspects to this observation: one, people in Singapore can form the impression that only PAP MPs are winning prizes for their community centres and the activities carried out in those community centres, and the Opposition MPs never won any prizes for their constituencies' community centres at all. As far as I know, the Government has never made it public that all Opposition MPs, as a matter of policy, are to be treated like step-children, and are kept out of all community centres' activities. Consequently, great numbers of Singaporeans may form the opinion that the Opposition MPs are not as good as the PAP MPs or that the Opposition Members are not working as hard as the PAP MPs and have accomplished nothing for their community centres.

The other observation is, when all the other Opposition MPs are kept out of running the community centres in their constituencies and never took part in the competition, how can a PAP MP claim that he has won the prize for the best kept community centre. The Government should allow the Opposition MPs to run the community centres in their own constituencies, so that when there are any competitions among the community centres, and a PAP MP comes out the winner, then he can rightfully claim that his community centre was the best run in Singapore, having beaten not only his own PAP MPs but also the Opposition MPs. As it stands at the moment, whenever there is a competition among community centres, the competition is confined to only PAP MPs, the Opposition MPs are not included. So in the present situation, when a PAP MP wins any prize in relation to his community centre, there is no real achievement because the competition has excluded Opposition MPs who could have beaten him in that competition. It is like a situation where a one-eyed man is king in the kingdom of the blind.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: Sir, I am replying on behalf of the Minister-in-charge of the People's Association.

(In Mandarin): Sir, as correctly pointed out by Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, the People's Association (PA) was established in 1960 with the primary objectives of promoting racial harmony and strengthening social cohesion and acting as a bridge between the Government and the people. These objectives are as valid today as they were in 1960. In order to achieve these objectives, the PA and its network of community centres clubs (CCs) and grassroots organisations such as Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs), Community Centre Management Committees (CCMCs) and Residents' Committees (RCs) organise a wide range of social, cultural, recreational, sports, educational and other activities to serve the people. In the process, they have brought the people of different races, culture and religions closer together and helped to foster a bond between the Government and the people. They have also turned the CCs into the focal points for the residents in their respective constituencies. These would not have been possible without the voluntary and dedicated service of the grassroots leaders who help to run the CCs and other grassroots organisations. They deserve the support of the people to continue with the good work.

Sir, PA is fully aware of the social changes taking place in Singapore as a result of greater affluence, better educated people and urbanisation. The PA and the grassroots organisations are keeping pace with the changing needs of our society. Every year, the PA and its grassroots organisations conduct an activity review and formulate an annual work plan taking into consideration the feedback and needs of the people. These plans are reinforced by a rolling 5-year plan for longer term programmes and activities. The future plan for the CCs and other grassroots organisations is to build on their success and organise more and better programmes to strengthen social cohesion and racial harmony. The CCs and grassroots organisations will be nimble and adaptable to the changing society. They will continue to review their programme to keep pace with the needs of our better educated and more affluent population. They will encourage more people to volunteer their service and take part in their activities. They will also welcome any suggestions to improve and implement their work plan.

On the other hand, in terms of hardware, the CCs will also continue to upgrade their facilities to serve the people better. The PA has 81 big modern CCs. In the next five years, this figure will be increased by six to 87. At the same time, the Government is also going to extend 38 existing modern CCs and upgrade another 46 existing CCs which are 10 years or older. In the process, the PA also reviews the facilities of the CCs in consultation with the community leaders.

Sir, I am glad to inform the House that as a result of constant review of the programmes and continued upgrading of the facilities, the CCs have been able to meet the changing needs and interest of the people. Today's big modern CCs are lively hubs of community activities ranging from the traditional such as Malay kompang, Chinese calligraphy, Indian dance, etc., to the modern such as computer programming, foreign language studies, ballet, classical music, etc.

The Chairman: Order. Mr Ch'ng, we are running behind time. You may like to complete your answer.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: ( In Mandarin): I have finished my reply to the points raised by Mrs Yu-Foo.

The Chairman: Mr Wong.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): I think Mr Chiam is not right when he says that for the PA's programmes the funds are expended for the benefit of the PAP. I think that is just insulting the residents and the people who use the PA's programmes. These programmes are for the benefit of all Singaporeans. Every year, thousands of activities are organised for senior citizens, for the young, for the kindergarten children. There was a whole host of other activities. That is why the money is used for the benefit of all these people who take part in our programmes. No PAP MP says, "I am doing this because I am a PAP Member." A PAP MP is appointed as an Advisor because we believe that he understands Government policies and therefore would be able to carry out Government policies.

PA is a Government organisation and being a Government organisation it must appoint people who can understand and support Government policies. I think it will be quite difficult for me to believe that Mr Chiam would support Government policies and therefore will champion the PA's cause. If he does, then he would not be sitting in the Opposition Bench. He will be part of the PAP. But to say that the PAP MP claims credit for the prizes won by the CC is just over-simplifying the issue. Whenever CCs win prizes, it is the grassroots leaders, the CCC, the MC and all those who have taken part in making the CC the best for winning the commendation medal or certificate. They are the ones who could claim the credit. The PAP MPs have given them the guidance but the work is really done by the grassroots leaders.

Mr Chiam is asking me to let him run his CC. I think it is very difficult unless he can support our policies. Is he able to support our policy and go round explaining Government policy and say this is good for them? I think he would not. This question is not new. In fact, he says that the Government has never made it known that the Opposition MPs are excluded from the CCs. I think I have said it before, even when I was the Minister for Community Development. I said he was not part of us and therefore he could not be an Advisor of our CCs. I have said it before, and I say it again that he does not belong to the PAP. Therefore, when we have to appoint Advisors, I find it very difficult to appoint him to help us explain our policies and help to garner the people together and organise activities for them.

The observations that he made are perhaps his own observations. Those are not the observations that I know of from the people I know when I give them prizes and awards during those ceremonies. I think they know quite well that they are the ones who put in the hard work, and I commend them for it.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Can I just have a word? It is true that activities are organised and the people take part in them and benefit from them. But who gets the political benefit out of all this money spent? It is entirely for the benefit of the PAP and I do not think the Minister will doubt that.

As regards allowing Opposition MPs to run their own CCs, it is the wish of the people. It is not the wish of the Opposition MPs. They elected the MPs. In my case, nearly 70% supported me. It is the wish of the constituents themselves. They often told me, "Mr Chiam, why are you not the Advisor of the Potong Pasir CC?" Therefore, it is not the wish of the Opposition MPs. You must not get it wrong there. It is the wish of the people in the Opposition-held areas.

The other point is this. It is often said in Parliament that Opposition MPs do not support Government policies. What are the decided policies that the Opposition has not supported? In fact, we said right from the start that we are a constructive Opposition and we want to get the country going. We are not going to topple the country. So let us know which are the policies which the Opposition has not supported the Government.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: If Mr Chiam wants to know what the policies are, he himself should know better, because all of them are in the Hansard.

Mr Chiam See Tong: After they have been decided ---

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Chiam, Mr Wong has the floor.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: All these policies that he opposed are in the Hansard. It is quite simple, just check it up.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Before they were decided.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: As to his point that it is the wish of the people, the people wish him to be their MP, that is all. That is why they elected him to be their MP. I do not think the people say, "I want him to be our Advisor." As far as the PA is concerned, the Advisors are appointed by the Government. Whether the PAP takes credit or not, the PAP - it has been the Government for the last 30-over years - has never come out with policies that would benefit the Opposition. That is quite clear. The PAP, whenever it wins an election, will always plan and prepare the next election so that its policies will win majority support of the people, including using its agencies to ensure that its policies are well accepted by the people. Therefore, we organise programmes for them. There is nothing wrong, therefore, for the Government to get the PA to organise activities for the residents so that eventually they find that the Government has done a good job for them and vote the Government back again. I make no apology for that. 4.00 pm

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Can I ask for clarification?

The Chairman: I am afraid we have run out of time. Mrs Yu-Foo, would you like to withdraw your amendment?

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Order. I propose to take the break now.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Mr Speaker: Order. Since the length of speeches cannot be reduced, I am afraid we have to reduce the time for the tea-break. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 4.10 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.01 pm to 4.10 pm. Sitting resumed at 4.10 pm

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Debate in Committee of Supply resumed.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Head J (cont.) -

The Chairman: Amendment No. ((9). I intend to complete discussion on this amendment at 4.30 pm.

Mr Chandra Das: Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JI 3100.

Sir, the Sports Excellence 2000 Programme was announced a few months ago. SPEX 2000, as it is called, is most timely. This programme signals a significant switch in Government's policy from a "Sports for All" emphasis to "Sports Excellence". This indeed is most desirable. And I would like to refer the Minister to an article written by Mr Sia Cheong Yew, which appeared in the Straits Times of 16th March this year.

Sir, the Government must be congratulated for leading the way and I hope everyone will rally round it and give it its widest support.

Specifically, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister what is the response of the National Sports Associations to the announced SPEX 2000. What feedback and comments have been received from the National Sports Associations? Also, is the selection of core and merit sports final? Can other sports move into the core and merit areas?

Sir, I also commend to the Minister the suggestion made by Mr Sia in the same article to set up scholarship similar to the Rhode scholarship for high-flier sports scholars.

Sir, finally, the Ministry of Defence, I believe, has a very major role to play in the development of SPEX 2000. Our best sportsmen and athletes spend their peak performance period in the army doing national service. Some mechanism must be found to help the athletes to maintain their form and interest. If not, they just wither away.

I would like to ask the Minister for Community Development whether any schemes have been worked out with the Ministry of Defence in this area.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman (Thomson GRC): Sir, I commend the Government for introducing the Sports Excellence 2000 Programme. I think this programme represents a major initiative to promote sports excellence and ultimately we hope to produce champions in regional and international competitions.

Sir, seven sports have been identified as core sports, namely, badminton, soccer, swimming and water-polo, table tennis, ten-pin bowling, track and field, and yachting. Others are classified under "merit" and "other sports".

I wish to ask the Minister how can these sports classified under "merit" and "other sports" gain recognition and, perhaps, later on be categorised under the core sports.

Secondly, how often will the Sports Council review and re-categorise the various sports under the various categories, that is, under core, merit and other sports?

The Chairman: Mr Chia Shi Teck and Mr Choo Wee Khiang are not here. Mr Chiam.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I congratulate the Government in making a grant of $10 million every year, starting last year, towards the Sports Excellence 2000 Programme. I am also glad to know that the Government has finally realised that sports is an important feature of our national life that needs support. It is no use for the Government to tell the world that its aim is to build a robust society in Singapore when none of its citizens under the PAP rule has ever won an Olympic medal. They say action speaks louder than words. So, if Singapore citizens can continually win medals at the Commonwealth, Asian or Olympic Games, people outside Singapore will know, without the Government making a lot of propaganda, that Singaporeans are indeed a robust people. People who know about sports will tell you that gold medals in the Olympics are not won in isolation. In the normal trend of events, a country which wins gold medals at the Olympic games time and time again has two important features. One is that there is a culture of sports and, two, there is a wide support of sports in those countries both in spread as well as in depth.

So if Singapore wants to win medals at international sports meets, the Minister must be told that money spent specifically for a few sportsmen to train them to win medals is not enough. There must also be ample funds allocated to build a culture of sports in Singapore, and to encourage great numbers of our young people, especially those in our primary and secondary schools, to be interested in sports with a view to increase the pool of sportsmen. With a bigger pool of sportsmen, there shall be greater chances of picking sports talent and, with that, there shall also be more chances of achieving success internationally.

Therefore, it must also be part of SPEX 2000 programme to get as many as possible of our school children to be interested in and take part in sports.

Encouraging our school children to be interested in and to take part in sports is a worthwhile endeavour. Sports gives our school children not only good health but also inculcates in them courage, initiative and leadership. It is for these reasons that it prompted a headmaster of an English public school to write, "the battle of Waterloo was won at the playing fields of Eton". Members of the House know that Eton is one of the more renowned public schools in England.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap: Sir, first, I must say that I am not advocating Singapore to commercialise sports to the extent of NBA, or the British soccer league. Nevertheless, economic consideration must play an important part in the management and promotion of certain sporting events. Without dispute, soccer is one of the most popular sporting events in Singapore. It has a very large group of followers. Each match held at our National Stadium has great economic implication on the balance sheet of the FAS and the Sports Council.

The economic reality is that if we do not have outstanding personalities in our soccer team, our gate collection will be greatly affected. They are more than just soccer players, they are entertainers. Therefore, we have to be more professional about hiring and firing of soccer players. We cannot begrudge the players for demanding high salary if they can prove their worth. Perhaps, this is the reason why somehow our most talented footballers spend their peak years playing overseas, or in other Malaysian states, but not in Singapore. The clear case is Fandi Ahmad, Sundramoorthy, or even Malek Awab.

Therefore, I would like to see our sporting management organisations display a more enlightened approach in managing popular sporting events, like soccer, and be more business-like in their decision in engaging players, coaches as well as managing staff. Pay them for what they are worth and drop them when they cannot deliver. They are professionals and should be handled professionally.

The Chairman: Mr Davinder Singh is not here. Mr Sinnakaruppan.

Mr R. Sinnakaruppan (Kampong Glam GRC): Sir, almost every child is introduced to one or more sports in our schools. Several periods are allocated during the weekly curriculum time for physical exercises or sports activities. In addition, there are a number of sports activities in which school children can participate and even excel. And yet when they leave school and start work, much of the enthusiasm in sports or efforts in keeping fit disappear almost completely. Only the more disciplined ones continue to pursue sports and fitness.

Last year, the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Ministry of Community Development, launched the "Great Singapore Workout". Lots of efforts were put in organising the event and the one-day event was indeed very successful. But it was like a "shot in the wilderness". It created much attention and awareness but the message of keeping fit has not been sustained.

The Singapore Sports Council has been promoting mass participation in sports and fitness programmes with a "Sports for All" policy. However, its efforts have been targeted largely at the constituency level.

About 1.6 million Singaporeans are gainfully employed and most of us spend more than 44 hours at work each week. In the much debated White Paper on Affordable Health Care, personal responsibility for one's own health by keeping fit has been advanced as one measure to curb rising medical costs.

Some of the bigger companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and AT&T, for example, place a lot of emphasis in the promotion of employee fitness. They provide sports facilities and have embarked on wellness programmes. However, unlike in Japan and US, such companies are only the exceptions and not the norm.

Many of our employers do not fully appreciate the benefits that they can accrue from employee fitness programmes. Studies in Western countries have shown that companies who adopt such programmes have evidenced a significant drop in absenteeism, industrial injury and staff turnover and has increased productivity, worker satisfaction and enhanced company image.

Sir, I would like to ask the Acting Minister if the SSC can focus its attention in promoting sports and fitness programmes at the workplace. For a start, more companies can be encouraged to hold a 10-minute morning exercise session daily using the Singapore Workout steps. The SSC can also set up fitness corners in the industrial estates. The NTUC and the unions can play their part in promoting such programmes provided the employers and the SSC make the first move in this direction.

If the SSC truly wants to promote the "Sports for All" policy, then it must go "all for sports".

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, the SPEX 2000 has identified seven core sports for intensive development. This is necessary because of the financial and human resource constraints that we have. What are the criteria? Firstly, to be a core sport, it has to be included in the Asian games or the Olympic games. Secondly, our athletes must have a good chance of winning medals in these competitions. Thirdly, the National Sports Associations (NSAs) for the sport must have a good development plan to identify and train the athletes for the sport. And lastly, the sports must also have a large following and a large base to draw talent from.

But the list of core sports is not static. In other words, the list could change, ie, it could be tennis today or table tennis tomorrow. But there is no regularity of how and when the list will change. So the existing core sports that do not perform up to expectation will be taken off the list and new ones will be added on if they satisfy the criteria which I mentioned above. But, more importantly, whether or not a core sport is on the list, it should not be a major concern to our outstanding athletes. Because under the plan, all deserving athletes with the potential to win medals at regional or international competitions will be given maximum help in their pursuit of excellence.

With regard to developing champions, as has been mentioned by Mr Chiam, indeed an important element of SPEX 2000 is to identify and develop talent. As Mr Chiam has mentioned, we will try to widen this pool as much as we can and we will start in the schools definitely. The process of developing sports champions, however, is a very complex one because, besides training programmes and adequate funding, there are other factors and constraints to consider. For example, our population is small and the potential pool is, therefore, limited. And we also have different social and economic priorities to consider. But, notwithstanding these limitations, Singapore has produced champions and we are proud of them, like Zarinah Abdullah and Azman Abdullah.

The MP for Cheng San GRC has also asked what are NSAs' response to SPEX 2000. I am glad to report that the plan has been very well received indeed by the NSAs, especially those which are having the core and merit sports and they were delighted with the programme and schemes that have been devised for them. In fact, SPEX 2000 was developed together with the NSAs. Their needs have, therefore, been taken care of in the plan. But, basically, what they would want is financial help and they would prefer to be left to concentrate on the identification and development of athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen. Since the launch of SPEX 2000, SSC has given out a total of $3.2 million. As you know, we have just started a few months ago. Slightly more than half of the sum of $3.2 million is for the training of athletes.

Mr Chandra Das has also made reference to Mr Sia Cheong Yew's suggestion in the Straits Times about establishing a prestigious sports scholarship to "the Singapore equivalent of the Rhode scholarship to top scholars and top sportsmen." I can empathise with the sentiment behind the proposal. But a scholarship does not become prestigious simply because we say it is. Its status depends on a number of factors, among which are the quality of the scholars themselves and the quality of the universities that these scholars go to. On both these counts, the sports scholarships stand out well indeed because the scholars are the best athletes in the nation and the universities they attend can be deemed to be among the best in the world. Sir, I have no doubt that the sports scholarship will develop into a prestigious one in the eyes of the sports fraternity. But be that as it may, I think we should not be too concerned that our top scholars are not turning into top sportsmen. We have a small population and we must make sure that whatever talents we have are developed to their fullest potential in the areas that they are most confident in and think that they will do best. Both SSC and NSAs are confident that with SPEX 2000 in place and with increased support from people, like the Member for Cheng San GRC, the Government and the public, more champions will emerge in our midst.

With regard to other Ministries' support, SPEX 2000 has also the support from other Government Ministries. For example, the Ministry of Education (MOE), and Mindef are two specific Government departments which will play an important role in the implementation of SPEX 2000 and both have indeed pledged their support. For example, in January this year, MOE and SSC jointly organised a seminar for schools on how best to achieve the goals of SPEX 2000. A joint working committee of MOE and SSC is now studying the recommendations made at the seminar. With regard to Mindef, it has, in fact, come up with the SAF Sportsmen Scheme. Under the scheme, outstanding sportsmen will be given time off for training to prepare themselves for regional and international competitions.

Sir, we have made great strides in the promotion of sports and the development of champions with the launching of SPEX 2000. But I think it is still too early for us to assess the full impact of the plan although there is evidence to show that we are moving in the right direction. And I would suggest that we give SPEX 2000 some time to really fulfil its promises.

Mr Kenneth Chen suggested that we ought to be a bit more business-minded, not commercial-minded, in our approach to sports. I agree with him. Indeed, sports ought to be managed and promoted more professionally. And it is with this in mind that a new division - the Market Development and Communication Division - has been formed under the SSC, and the main task of this division is to help the National Sports Associations to promote their sports more effectively and professionally. Professional management is likely to come about if there are full-time professional staff to manage the affairs of the NSAs. And as a start, SSC has given grants to the NSAs on the core sports and merit sports to employ full-time professional staff. The FAS, for example, has a full-time staff of 10, including a General Manager, an accountant and a marketing executive. 4.30 pm

The FAS is also aware that having good soccer players help to raise the standard of the game and increase the gate collections. Last year, in fact, FAS spent about $600,000 in salaries and allowances for the national team. This is a 57% increase from what was spent in 1992.

The Chairman: We have run out of time on this amendment. Do you want to finish off?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Can I just reply to Mr Sinnakaruppan?

We are indeed promoting fitness in the workplace. In fact, the SSC is also working together with the NPB and all the other companies in trying to get workers to be more exercise conscious and take part in exercises.

Mr Chandra Das: Sir, I thank the Minister for his very detailed reply. However, I would urge his Ministry to try to help produce more Dr Tan Eng Liangs and Tan Thuan Hengs. On that note, I withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman: ( In Malay): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code JJ 3100.

Sir, MUIS has been around for more than 25 years now. Thanks to its diligent efforts and the community's support, MUIS has succeeded in many areas, particularly the collection and distribution of zakat, development of wakaf property, mosque building, pilgrimage administration, dakwah activities, religious schools and fatwa.

Mosque building has been its most visible achievement. And in managing the mosques that have been built, we must see that they become an institution of excellence that will further the development of the community in an effective way. There are many challenges we have to face in this regard.

Thus far, we have been relying on part-timers to administer our mosques. May I suggest that mosques be run like a corporate body, with full-time staff engaged to handle matters like administration, finance, education and dakwah. In this way, we can attract qualified people who can provide better, stronger and more informed leadership full time. I would like to hear the Minister's views on this.

I would like now to move on to the subject of the quota system for haj pilgrimage, expected to be implemented in 1995. I understand 3,000 places will be allowed for our pilgrims, as against the annual average of 4,000 people who have been making the pilgrimage in recent years. In determining who ought to be allowed to make the journey to the Holy Land, I hope MUIS would give priority to those who are doing it for the first time. The next priority should be according to age, subject to the pilgrim being in good health. Only then should we allow the opportunity to those who are going for the second time or more.

In formulating the criteria for those to be allowed to make the pilgrimage, MUIS needs to hold discussions with the GSAs and local Muslim organisations. After the criteria have been determined, MUIS must as soon as possible explain them to the Muslim public so that intending pilgrims will be prepared well in advance. Basically, the criteria must be fair to all and should not discriminate between those who can and those who cannot afford it. I hope the Minister could comment on these points.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: ( In Malay): Sir, in the effort to improve mosque administration, MUIS has conducted several courses, workshops and talks meant to equip the mosque management committees with the knowledge and skills needed for the day-to-day running of the mosques. MUIS also has plans to further enhance these skills through a number of programmes to be carried out this year.

Generally, Sir, mosques are administered by volunteers. In order to implement their programmes and activities more effectively, mosque management committees need full-time staff. For the moment, only those with stable financial resources are able to recruit permanent staff to run their programmes. But in time, we hope more mosques will have the financial resources to do so.

In regard to the haj pilgrimage, on 9th February this year, MUIS conducted a meeting with representatives of 20 tour agencies to brief them on the new quota system. MUIS sought their inputs on how the quota system can be implemented. So far, three suggestions have been received. These are, first, to allot places on first-come-first-served basis; second, to reserve 70% of places to those performing the haj for the first time; third, to give priority to those who have never done the pilgrimage before or those whose last pilgrimage was three years ago. The simplest to implement is the first-come-first-served system. Malaysia has adopted this system, which is considered fair. MUIS is studying all these suggestions and any others that Members may want to put forward, and will announce the system to be adopted soon.

I have discussed the quota system with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Haj when I was there in January, and I have sought his approval for 4,000 pilgrims from Singapore to perform the pilgrimage this year, as they have already registered with MUIS. I have followed up this request to the Minister in writing and am awaiting his reply.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman: Sir, I thank the Minister for his explanation and beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $191,712,640 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $93,046,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 4.40 pm

The Chairman: I shall now deal with the remaining heads of expenditure in respect of which no amendment stands on the Order Paper Supplement.

In respect of the Main Estimates, they are Heads C, D, F, G, H and Z.

I propose to take these heads of expenditure en bloc.

Question, "That the sums stated for those heads of expenditure which appear in the last column of the Schedule of Estimated Expenditure in the Main Estimates on page 43 of Paper Cmd. 2 of 1994 stand part of the Main Estimates," put and agreed to.

The Chairman: In respect of the Development Estimates:

Question, "That the sum of $21,746,000 for Head F stand part of the Development Estimates," put and agreed to.

Question, "That the sum of $10,951,374,630 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Main Estimates for FY 1994/1995 contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 1994," put and agreed to.

Question, "That the sum of $10,216,278,100 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure shown in the Development Estimates for FY 1994/1995 contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 1994," put and agreed to.

Resolutions to be reported.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

The Minister of State for Finance (Cdre Teo Chee Hean): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to certain resolutions.

First Resolution reported -

"That the sum of $10,951,374,630 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Main Estimates for FY 1994/1995 contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 1994."

Second Resolution reported -

"That the sum of $10,216,278,100 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure shown in the Development Estimates for FY 1994/1995 contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 1994."

Cdre Teo Chee Hean: Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolutions."

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolutions accordingly agreed to.