WATER-WORKS IN JOHORE (Employment of Singaporeans and Malaysians)

Encik Harun A Ghani asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many Singaporeans and Malaysians are employed at the six water-works in Johore and (b) whether the Singaporean and Malaysian workers are employed on the same salary scheme.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Tang Guan Seng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board has 355 employees at the six water installations in Johore. 331 are Malaysians. 23 are Singaporeans. One is a Malaysian permanent resident.

The same salary scheme is applied to all employees, regardless of their nationality.

Encik Harun A Ghani: Sir, why can the Ministry not employ Singaporeans, rather than giving a chance to 331 Malaysians to work there? The opportunity for Singaporeans to work there is gone.

Mr Tang Guan Seng: As PUB is operating in Johor, employment should also be given to the locals.