Parliament No:1
Session No:1
Volume No:24
Sitting No:1
Sitting Date:08-12-1965


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PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

SINGAPORE

OFFICIAL REPORT

FIRST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY



(TO BE CALLED THE FIRST PARLIAMENT)
PART I OF FIRST SESSION
VOLUME 24


Wednesday, 8th December, 1965
The House met at Ten o'clock a.m.

PRESENT:

Mr SPEAKER (Mr A. P. Rajah).
Inche A. Rahim Ishak (Siglap), Minister of State for Education.
Mr E. W. Barker (Tanglin), Minister for Law and National Development.
Inche Buang Bin Omar Junid (Kallang), Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Chan Chee Seng (Jalan Besar), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs, and Government Whip.
Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta).
Mr Chow Chiok Hock (Ulu Pandan).
Mr Fong Sip Chee (Stamford), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture.
Dr Goh Keng Swee (Kreta Ayer), Minister of Defence.
Mr R. A. Gonzales (Serangoon Gardens).
Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson).
Mr Ho Cheng Choon (Geylang East), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development.
Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah).
Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Queenstown), Minister for Labour.
Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Hong Lim), Minister of State for Culture.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar), Prime Minister.

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Mr Lee Teck Him (Tiong Bahru).
Mr Lim Cheng Lock (River Valley).
Mr Lim Kim San, D.U.T. (Cairnhill), Minister for Finance.
Mr S. V. Lingam (Aljunied).
Inche Mahmud Awang (Kampong Kapor).
Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan).
Mrs Devan Nair (Moulmein).
Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol).
Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten).
Inche Othman Bin Wok (Pasir Panjang), Minister for Culture and Social Affairs.
Inche Rahamat Bin Kenap (Geylang Serai).
Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr S. Rajoo (Farrer Park).
Mr Bernard Rodrigues (Telok Blangah).
Mr Sia Kah Hui (Upper Serangoon), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health.
Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi).
Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang).
Dr Toh Chin Chye (Rochore), Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House.
Mr Wee Toon Boon (Sepoy Lines), Minister of State of Defence.
Mr Yong Nyuk Lin (Geylang West), Minister of Health.

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ABSENT:

Mr S. T. Bani (Crawford).
Mr Chan Sun Wing (Nee Soon).
Mr Chia Thye Poh (Jurong).
Mr Chio Cheng Thun (Choa Chu Kang).
Dr Fong Kim Heng (Joo Chat), Deputy Speaker.
Mr Koo Young (Thomson).
Mr Kow Kee Seng (Paya Lebar).
Mr Lee Tee Tong (Bukit Timah).
Mr Lim Huan Boon (Bukit Merah).
Miss Loh Miaw Gong (Havelock).
Mr Poh Ber Liak (Tampines).
Mr Tan Cheng Tong (Jalan Kayu).
Mr Wong Soon Fong (Toa Payoh).
Inche Yaacob Bin Mohamed Al-Haj (Southern Islands), Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Department.

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PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT

    The following Members have, under the provisions of subsection (2) (d) of section 30 of the Constitution of the State of Singapore, obtained from the Speaker, permission to be or to remain absent from sittings of the Assembly:


    Dr Toh Chin Chye (Rochore), Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House - from 15th September to 16th November, 1965.

    Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 16th September to 30th November, 1965.

    Mr Yong Nyuk Lin (Geylang West), Minister for Health - from 3rd October to 11th November, 1965.

    Inche Yaacob Bin Mohamed A1-Haj (Southern Islands), Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Department - from 12th November to 15th December, 1965.

    Mr Ong Pang Boon (Telok Ayer), Minister for Education - from 21st November to 1st December, 1965.

    Dr Fong Kim Heng (Joo Chiat), Deputy Speaker - during December 1965 and January 1966.

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    Mr Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (bearing the Mace), the Acting Second Clerk Assistant, the Acting Clerk-Assistant and the Acting Clerk, entered the Chamber.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

NEW MEMBER SWORN


10.04 a.m.

    Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Hong Lim), Minister of State for Culture, made an Affirmation of Allegiance.

    Mr Speaker: I have to inform Honourable Members that His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara will be present in this House this morning at twenty minutes past ten o'clock to deliver his Opening Speech at this the First Session of the Legislative Assembly (to be called the First Parliament).

    At the conclusion of His Excellency's Speech, the House will under Standing Orders stand adjourned to a day to be named by the Leader of the House.

    Presently I shall leave the Chair to receive His Excellency and to bring him into the Chamber. The House will now await His Excellency's entry.

    Order, order.

10.06 a.m.

    Mr Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (bearing the Mace), the Acting Second Clerk Assistant, the Acting Clerk-Assistant, and the Acting Clerk, left the Chamber to meet His Excellency.

10.20 a.m.

    His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (accompanied by two A..D.C.s) entered the Chamber, accompanied by Mr Speaker who was preceded by the Serjeant at Arms (without the Mace), the Acting Second Clerk-Assistant, the Acting Clerk-Assistant and the Acting Clerk.

    On the Acting Clerk announcing "His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara", the Yang di-Pertuan Negara delivered his Speech.

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10.21 a.m.

YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA'S SPEECH



    His Excellency the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Inche Yusof bin Ishak) (In Malay): Honourable Members, we are gathered today to complete the constitutional formalities consequent upon the promulgation of the independence of Singapore. When we last met in this Chamber, little did we foresee that in two years we would meet here again as a sovereign Legislature of an independent nation, a separate member of the Commonwealth and of the United Nations. It is a chastening reminder that history is not written by legal draftsmen or pre-determined at constitutional conferences.

    On this day, the 8th of December, nearly a quarter of a century ago, in 1941, the people of Singapore awakened to the reverberation of bombs heralding the grim prospect of a new order for Asia. Japanese bombs shook the foundations of the European Empires in Asia. Nationalist forces were let loose throughout the whole of this continent, upsetting the old order. A new balance of forces, indigenous to Asia, has yet to be found.

    Our survival as a people, distinct and separate from our neighbours in South-East Asia, depends upon our patience and resolution in dealing with physically bigger and hence difficult neighbours and upon our perseverance in seeking long-term solutions to the problems of finding a new balance of forces in this part of the world, a task made more difficult by the migration of different racial groups into South-East Asia during the period of European domination.

    The four months since the 9th of August have given us time to take stock of our bearings, time in which to push emotions into the background for a calm and realistic appraisal of the new opportunities which independence offers us, the greater authority to bring about what we have always thought necessary, a tolerant society, multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-religious, welded ever

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closer together by ties of common experience into a satisfying society, satisfying both for the indigenous peoples and for those of migrant stock who came during the period of British rule.

    Whilst the best guarantee of our future as a distinct and separate people in South-East Asia is the creation of a tolerant multi-racial society, we must however expect obstruction and resistance to this from groups inside Singapore and also groups outside Singapore. They are the Communalists and the Communists.

    The first disruptive group will continue to be the communal extremists, the Ultras in our midst. There are people in Singapore who, even after a few months of separation, still talked raucously, albeit foolishly, about the implementation of one language - the national language -- in teaching at all levels including the university. If such a policy was unwise when we were part of the wider framework of Malaysia, now in the context of Singapore, the lunacy of such statements should have been manifest to all. Yet they are being made and given considerable publicity in the Jawi press.

    It is the Government's declared intention that its policy of four equal and official languages with Malay as the common and national language shall remain. This policy was valid before and remains valid after Malaysia, for this policy was not arrived at out of expediency. In formulating it, the immutable factors of geography and the hard facts of demography were taken into account. Separation has not rendered invalid the major premise on which this policy was based. Needless to say, the more extreme any community is about one race, one language and one religion, the more likely it is to arouse counter chauvinism amongst the other communities to the detriment of all.

    The second disruptive group, and in the long run the more potent, is the Communists. They also play on communal heart strings, if only more skilfully and cynically. Their followers within Singapore, with backing from outside sponsors, want to disrupt our consolidation of national identity by consciously

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exploiting appeals to chauvinist and communal sentiments. This can be seen from their change in tactics over questions of language, culture and education. Five months ago, in June this year, at a time when all multi-racial and non-communal leaderships throughout Malaysia were gathered in Singapore to rally and strengthen the forces for tolerant multi-racial policies, pro-Communist groups in the political and trade union fields denounced the analysis of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention that in a multi-racial society, where the races were divided in the percentages of 40, 40 and 20, it is not possible for any one group to impose its one language and culture on the others. These pro-Communist groups then joined the chorus of the Malay communalists that to refer to percentages of the racial components of Malaysia was itself an encouragement to communalism.

    Yet within ten weeks of Singapore's independence, these same people cynically switched their line. They now urge a revision of the status of the Chinese language on account of Singapore's large Chinese majority, even though Chinese has been one of the four official languages.

    We can expect them to intensify their exploitation of these issues as they seek to recover their lost ground. But we cannot afford to forget that all this is designed not for the preservation of the Chinese language and culture, but for the disruption of orderly construction and progress so that out of the resulting chaos they stand a better chance of grabbing power.

    For us the problem is simply how to be ourselves, and not be swallowed up in some more backward whole. We must never be isolated and left friendless in South-East Asia, in a Singapore encircled by a hostile sea of communal and obscurantist forces. So we must never allow ourselves the luxury of forgetting that survival depends upon rallying and strengthening the forces in the area who are for a secular, rational and multi-racial approach to the problems of economic backwardness and the legacy of unbalanced development in the colonial era.

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    We have travelled a long road to reach independent Singapore. Historians will find it hard not to acknowledge that our independence was the result of the determination and spiritedness of the people of Singapore and their leaders. Long accustomed to independent ways of thought and vigorous modes of expression, it was not possible to muffle and contain them by communal terror and intimidation.

    If we in Singapore can succeed in establishing a tolerant multi-racial society, then the catalyst effect on the rest of the region is bound to set off social change within these territories themselves leading to the emergence of a secular nation state. In such a secular nation state obscurantist slogans of one race, one language, one religion will give way to the concept of many communities bound together by ties of geography, common experience, and economic betterment for all in close co-operation as one compact national unit.

    We must anticipate and prepare for every contingency. What happens to us if our neighbour of over 100 million people becomes embroiled in even greater economic difficulties? Will a government emerge that will concentrate its effort on reconstruction and ultimate prosperity, or on greater and more hazardous external adventures?

    Can we always expect that the Government in neighbouring Malaysia will if not friendly at least be neutral and unaggressive? It was significant that the Prime Minister of Malaysia should, soon after getting Singapore out, explain to the world that repression was contemplated as an alternative. Let us never forget that there were quite a number of persons who openly disagreed with the Malaysian Government and ostentatiously absented themselves when the vote was taken in the Malaysian Parliament for Singapore's expulsion. It was not because they loved Singapore as a component part of an increasingly multi-racial society. They simply wanted to suppress us, not knowing what the cost was going to be. These people view an

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independent multi-racial Singapore with considerable distaste and apprehension. And we cannot afford to assume that such people will never come into power.

    These are a few of several imponderables around which our destiny will be determined. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared. The unthinkable must be thought out to the most unpleasant logical conclusions. Every safeguard and counter must be worked out to meet these contingencies. None of the forces and factors that made South-East Asia so turbulent an arena of conflict has been mitigated by our separate independence. All that has changed is the constitutional framework within which we now must work. And if independent Singapore does not fulfil our desire for a more stable and more secure basis for building an enduring nation, let us be thankful that it has given us more independence of action to seek that larger and more secure basis.

    (In English) Honourable Members can lake heart at the thought that there are few new problems to bedevil this House. This House has gone through many a struggle, first against Colonialism, then Communism, and then Communalism. And there have always been opportunists to cloud and confuse the issues. But we have now a much more experienced and discerning people. The difference now is that any setback may never be retrieved. For sovereignty is absolute and there are no more back stops to any slide to perdition other than the use of force, a hazardous undertaking in any area already bedevilled by too much use of armed force.

    It is our duty, that of Honourable Members and of every citizen who wants a future for his children, to ensure that the country is never imperilled by reckless policies or foolhardy adventurers, for it is not just the two million people of Singapore, but nine millions more in Malaysia who are one people with us, whose hopes will be dimmed if we fail.

    The tremors from those bombs the Japanese dropped on 8th December, 1941, nearly a quarter of a century ago, have not yet subsided, for they in turn triggered off an explosion of nationalist

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forces. These forces wrecked the foundations of Western empires in Asia. But we have as yet to find a balance of our own making on the continent of Asia.

    So many of our neighbours and we ourselves would not have a separate existence if purely Asian forces were to settle the shape of decolonised Asia. So we shall have to accept British bases for some time to come. But we must effectively use that time to seek a more enduring equilibrium in this corner of Asia. We must succeed if only because we have already built so much that is good in South-East Asia and there is no other time or other place to start all over again.

    It is against this sombre backdrop of our abiding destiny at the southernmost tip of the continent of Asia that we spell out the legislative programme before this House. They are the steps to be taken to get into better command of our own separate destiny.

    The Singapore Independence Bill which recites consequential provisions arising out of the declaration of independence on the 9th of August, 1965, will be presented at the first business sitting.

    So will the Singapore Constitution (Amendment) Bill changing the nomenclature of the Head of State and this Legislature and the procedure by which the Head of State will in future be chosen. These two Bills will complete the constitutional change from a Singapore as state in a Federal monarchy into a Singapore which is an independent Republic.

    A Commission to look into means to ensure that the rights of our citizens shall be equal not only in law but in practice will be set up. The Chief Justice will be Chairman and the Speaker, Deputy Chairman of this Commission. After hearing all views on how the rights of racial, linguistic and religious minorities can be adequately safeguarded, recommendations will be made to this House on the provisions to be included in the Constitution. In the

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drafting of these provisions the Commission will consult the Chief Justice and/or other constitutional experts of certain Commonwealth Governments so that the provisions will have the benefit of the experience and constitutional expertise of some of the best trained judicial and legal minds in the Commonwealth. But the responsibility for deciding on these provisions will be that of this Legislature. The terms of reference of the Commission will be wide enough to enable them to consider ways whereby all views of all minority groups in the population can be adequately heard on all matters concerning them before any legislation is enacted.

    As an independent Republic, we have assumed two new responsibilities - Defence and Foreign Affairs - subjects closely related to our survival. We must quickly achieve sufficient strength to deal with any internal security contingency without depending on outside help. An Army Bill will be introduced to provide the framework for a hard well-trained if small regular army supported by a large people's volunteer force. But however small the regular army or large the volunteer component of the armed forces, they will nevertheless form a significant item in our annual budget.

    So too will the establishment of our Missions abroad. Missions will first be established immediately in some ten countries either for reasons of geographical proximity or their importance to us in matters of defence or trade or Afro-Asia solidarity. Foreign Affairs and Defence are closely inter-related subjects. The policies which we pursue in foreign affairs inevitably decide our defence commitments and our defence commitments in turn limit the range of options of our foreign policy. Our security depends upon having the minimum number of unfriendly countries and the maximum number of friendly ones.

    We want the least number of countries to be hostile to us if for no reason other than that we wish to be as independent of foreign defence assistance as possible.

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But there must be creditable alternative guarantees for our security before we can afford to be talked into a position where we give up firm guarantees of our independent survival in return for not very credible treaties of friendship and everlasting brotherhood.

    Meanwhile the business of government and administration must proceed. In a separate memorandum* which is being tabled in this House, my Government has set out the legislative programme and the policies which will occupy the time of this House for this Session. They are designed to ensure our continued economic progress in the shortest possible time under the new and vastly different circumstances we are faced with. Radical changes arise out of our severance from Malaysia. Our plans for industrialisation and economic development require the re-formulation of a new basis, for it is clear that there will be no Common Market with Malaysia. A compelling reason for our seeking merger and Malaysia was to give our workers a way in which we could industrialise behind the comfortable buffer of a protected domestic market comprising the combined population of Malaysia. This never came about, even in the two years we were in Malaysia. Now we have to break into the markets of certain nations who may find an interest in Singapore's survival as an independent democratic non-Communist country, and into such countries in Africa and Eastern Europe who may find trade with us beneficial economically and politically. (*See Appendix I)

    These nations, beginning with those with whom we have defence associations ---Britain, Australia and New Zealand --- must first be convinced that our problem is finite, and that it does not involve too much of a sacrifice on their part. The rate of natural increase of our population has been steadily declining in the last six years. It is now 2.5 per cent and will probably stabilise at below 2 per cent. This is a modest and manageable increase for a total population of two million. So the other matter to be controlled is an increase in population through immigration.

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    The Government has already taken and will complete certain policies to limit the responsibilities of the Government to the citizens of Singapore. On re-registration all Singapore citizens will be issued with new plastic identity cards. This will be completed before the end of next year. Meanwhile regulations will be introduced to require the possession of work permits for any person who is not a Singapore citizen, and whose income is less than $750 per month. These work permits will be given liberally in the case of skilled workers, but will have to be as restrictive in the case of unskilled workers as our own unemployment problem requires.

    An infinitesimal percentage of the domestic markets of certain highly developed countries if open to us by the removal of quota restrictions or restrictive tariffs will be more than enough to maintain buoyancy in our economy. Economic and political stability can thus be assured. But in the long run, our viability depends upon having the widest spread of economic links with the largest number of countries in the world, so that the economic levers on our political policies will not be in the hands of a few Governments.

    But assured markets alone are not enough. Our workers must understand that the creation of industries and job opportunities will in large measure depend upon their capacity for hard work and disciplined performance in factories, a large proportion of whose markets will be overseas. Products must therefore not only be of good quality, but at competitive prices. In other words, there must be greater efficiency at factory floor level.

    The excesses of irresponsible trade unions in the early `50s and even in the early `60s are luxuries which we can no longer afford. This means that people with industrial capital, managerial talent and the manufacturing know how must be assured of sane and stable labour conditions and trade unions do not indulge in obstructionist policies or stoppages of production for reasons of political manoeuvre.

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    In these two years of confrontation we have demonstrated to the Indonesians that it is not within their capacity to destroy or hinder the economic growth of Singapore. The expected loss of 8.7 per cent of our national income as a result of confrontation by Indonesia has been more than made up and a net increase of 2 per cent is recorded for 1964, over 1963. After we have demonstrated our capacity to expand and prosper in independence on our own, we can rationalise our relationships with our immediate neighbour, Malaysia. We may be two countries, but we are one people. The sooner all face up to this problem, the better the chances of working out a matter of fact relationship of interdependence on the basis of equal and mutual benefit. We must gird ourselves to meet these tasks. We must demonstrate not only our will but our capacity to defend what we have got and improve on it.

    What we lack in size of area and population we more than make up in strategic location of area and quality of population. Given dedication and determination there is little to stop us from setting the pace of social change and economic development in the region. An industrious and talented people striving to secure their future will surge forward to prosperity and strength if they are given honest administration and effective leadership. That so much has already been achieved in the six years since 1959 in spite of constant strife and turbulence is source for inspiration to greater endeavour.

10.52 a.m.

    At the conclusion of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara's speech, Mr Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant at Arms, the Acting Second Clerk-Assistant, the Acting Clerk-Assistant, and the Acting Clerk, escorted His Excellency (accompanied by two A..D.C.s) out of the Chamber, and the House adjourned without question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned accordingly at 10.52 a.m.


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APPENDIX I
MEMORANDUM PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT AS AN ADDENDUM
TO THE ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE YANG

DI-PERTUAN NEGARA ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME AND

THE POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
FINANCE


    Economically, Singapore has achieved creditable progress in the past year. Our nation not only completely overcame the economic effects of Indonesian confrontation but indeed achieved a net increase in national income. When Indonesia began its hostile confrontation against us in late 1963 it was estimated that the consequent severance in trade with our neighbour would lead to a decline of about 8.7 per cent in national income. Happily the resilience and dynamism of Singapore's economy not only absorbed the loss but we were able to show a net increase of 2 per cent in our national income. In 1964 Singapore's national income totalled $2,811 million compared with $2,744.6 million the previous year.

    The strength and resilience of Singapore's economy is best reflected in the increasing rate of capital formation achieved. In 1964 gross capital formation totalled $415 million which represents an increase of 28 per cent over 1963. This rate of capital formation is a significant break-through for it exceeds the average rate of annual increase of 22 per cent for the period of 1959 to 1963. Though this rate of capital formation is gratifying, gross capital formation in 1964 still accounts for only about 15 per cent of national income. To achieve sustained self-generating economic growth, Singapore would need to invest 20 per cent of its national income annually.

    The economic progress made in 1964 is not an isolated achievement. It is a step upward in the chain of steady progress achieved in the past five years. In 1965 we see the close of Singapore's First Five-Year Development Plan. By the end of this year total planned expenditure will have amounted to $944 million of which $588 million or 62 per cent would have been spent on economic development projects and $343 million or

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36 per cent on social development projects. The remaining 2 per cent was spent on administration facilities. Expenditure in the public sector in turn stimulated investment in the private sector. In the first four years of the plan period, i.e. 1961 to 1964, gross capital formation totalled $1,219 million. At the same time Singapore's national income also rose from $2,304 million in 1961 to $2,811 million in 1964.

    Though the rate of progress achieved has been gratifying, the task ahead is still a challenging one as we begin our first year as an independent sovereign nation. The basic economic challenge is one of providing remunerative and meaningful employment to our predominantly youthful people. Whilst the problem of unemployment is within manageable proportions at present, the future both economically and politically will be fraught with danger if we do not create enough employment opportunities for the rising expectations and rising sophistication of our people.

    Hence my Government is constantly exercising its mind in the search for new avenues for solution of this problem. Our long-term economic development will be based on a continuation of the policies successfully applied in the First Five-Year Plan. My Government will devote a large part of its resources to expand and firmly consolidate the infrastructure necessary for progress. At the same time it will also provide adequately the social amenities such as education, housing and health facilities which are necessary to enable our citizens to lead meaningful lives. Hence about $976 million or 64 per cent of total planned expenditure in the next five years will be spent on economic development projects. Social development expenditure will account for $486 million or 32 per cent of plan outlay.

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    An onerous but necessary drain on our resources will be the provision of capital expenditure for defence and internal security. This burden we accept as one of the hard facts of our existence as an independent nation.

    The Second Five-Year Plan envisages an expenditure of $1,520 million. It is hoped that this will in turn generate matching private development expenditure of between $1,250 million and $1,300 million. This should result, given favourable opportunities for exports in the growing industrial sector of the economy, in an increase of national income of about 5 per cent per annum. As Singapore's rate of population increase has now fallen to about 2.5 per cent per annum this would enable Singapore to achieve sustained economic growth.

    As an independent sovereign nation, we have reluctantly to assume that our neighbour Malaysia will from now on treat Singapore as any other third country in trade relations. On our part however we hope that Malaysia will treat us in terms no worse than any other third country. Singapore will have to search for more alternative foreign markets for its' manufactured products. Excluding processing activities industrial output in 1964 increased by some 16 per cent over 1963. To export we shall on our part have to raise industrial productivity. On the other hand, we hope that our friends and allies will not place artificial and discriminatory trade barriers against our products. We shall therefore explore ways of expanding trade with our traditional partners and also look for new opportunities in Africa and Eastern Europe.

    While we shall strive to export more of our products my Government will not overlook the necessity to maintain Singapore's present level of entrepot trade. This will be achieved by creating a free trade zone where imports can be broken down and re-exported expeditiously without payment of duties.

    In order to protect Singapore's new infant industries in their first crucial years, the Government has imposed

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tariff duties as well as quantitative restrictions on a range of imported products. The protective duties will have to be imposed for some years to come until the new industries have established themselves. Quantitative restriction will be removed as soon as it is opportune to do so.

    Although the emergence of Singapore as an independent nation has brought about new challenges it has also given us independence of action. Thus regressive taxes imposed while we were in Malaysia have been rescinded.

    In mid-November purposeful fiscal incentives were announced to encourage manufacturers to export as well as advertise more abroad and locally. A faster rate of write-off for depreciation of key industries which are export orientated can now be granted. The fuel tax imposed during the Malaysian phase was also lifted for manufacturers using fuel oil for manufacturing purposes.

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS


    Foreign Affairs is an extension of the domestic policies of the Government into the field of international politics. Our policies must be designed first to secure the physical survival of Singapore, its territorial integrity, and second its economic growth. We seek to be friends with all, to establish cordial and fruitful relationships particularly in the field of trade and industrial development. But the prerequisite of friendship is that there should be non-interference in the internal affairs of each other. Not unnaturally, the governments we feel closest to are those with similar background experiences of colonial subjugation and similar political aspirations and policies to create a more equal and just society. Hence our affinity to many Governments in Afro-Asia, whose leaders have, after successfully striving for independence against colonialism, now seek to establish a new social order, more just, more prosperous than the one they inherited.

    But the past should never be allowed to distort and deform our judgment of the wider and the long term future. No

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memory however bitter of British exploitation in the past should blur our assessment of the capacity of Britain, and other white members of the Commonwealth like Australia and New Zealand who are now the minority in a predominantly Afro-Asian grouping to make a contribution to our security and to assist us in our economic development. That their policies were designed to keep us down in the past makes no difference to the fact that today they have neither the will nor indeed the capacity to deter us from pursuing our independent goals. Indeed I believe they realise that it is in their own basic national interest that we should continue to survive and even to thrive and prosper.

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DEFENCE AND SECURITY


    We now have to bear the heavy duty of protecting our citizens against external aggression and internal subversion. While we want to be left in peace to develop our economy for the benefit of our citizens, outside interests may not allow us to do this. So we will over the next few years have to assign a considerable amount of manpower, material and finance towards protecting our homes and our way of life from the predatory intentions of our much bigger and more powerful neighbours against our homeland. This duty and responsibility though necessary and accepted as part of our new status will nevertheless throw heavy burdens on us. For some, it will mean the carrying of the financial burden for their less fortunate fellow citizens: for our youth it will mean volunteering for military service in the defence of the State but for one and all it will mean loyal sacrifice in one form or other. These burdens will appear onerous and at times exacting but we have always to remember that the price of freedom may be life itself.

    As for our internal security, the Government is determined to safeguard the institutions and attitudes of democracy against subversion even if it means unpleasant action against certain anti-national elements. We will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the unity and

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harmony of the people and the economic and political stability of the State. We have clearly shown recently that we are not loathe to act against Communists or anti-national elements when at the behest of a foreign power they decided to use unconstitutional measures in the political struggle. We are prepared to meet them in the open and in public to prove to them and to the world that both our past performance and future programme have the full support of the people of all races of Singapore. If, however, having failed in the open argument against us, the Communists, their agents and open front operators decide to take the law into their hands to force the issue or revert to the underground conspiracy congenial to them, then we will not hesitate to move decisively and firmly against them.

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LABOUR


Re-Registration of Population and Issue of Identity Cards

    My Government proposes to re-register the population by issuing them with plastic laminated identity cards. The fundamental aim of this exercise is to obviate the forging of identity cards on a mass scale for sale to illegal immigrants. The scheme for re-registration of the population will ensure that the new identity cards are forgery-proof and that Singapore's survival is not jeopardised by immigrants, illegal or otherwise. It is proposed to issue two types of identity cards, one for citizens and one for non-citizens who are permanent residents so that citizens and non-citizens can be easily distinguished.

    The new system of registration will give each Singapore resident a number which will be used for all purposes in future.

    Work Permits

    Restrictive measures have now to he introduced to safeguard the interests of our citizens. Before and after Malaysia, workers from Malaya have been freely allowed to take up employment in Singapore. It is with considerable reluctance that my Government decided to

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reverse this policy. But in the absence of an economic common market the Government must prevent the influx of unskilled workers from outside and increasing the pressures on our employment opportunities, housing and social services. In 1964 alone there was a net increase of ten thousand workers from Malaya. Since separation from Malaysia the rate of immigration has nearly doubled. If measures are not taken, Singapore's economic and social burdens will be unmanageable.

    Trade Unions

    The Government's policy is to promote the development of a healthy non-Communist democratic trade union movement, as an essential element in our economic life. The Government will continue to give every assistance to the non-Communist unions who now represent the more than three quarters of the organised workers in Singapore.

    To foster the growth of a healthy non-Communist trade union movement certain amendments to the trade union ]aw will be introduced.

    Industrial Relations

    In the light of experience gained from the operation of the Industrial Relations Ordinance in the last five years, it has become apparent that certain amendments are necessary. An Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill will be introduced for this purpose in this Session of Parliament.

    Labour Legislation

    In the light of changed economic, political and social conditions, active consideration is being given to improving four other Ordinances, namely, the Labour Ordinance, 1955, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance, 1957, the Clerks Employment Ordinance, 1957, and the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 157). An Amendment Bill will be prepared in respect of each of these Ordinances for introduction into Parliament in one of its subsequent sittings.

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    Health and Education are not only the rights of our citizens as individuals, but a crucial investment in the quality of our citizens which is our pride and basic human investment for the years ahead.

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EDUCATION


    The Government will continue with its policy of equal treatment to the four language streams, namely, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English.

    The study of a second language, other than the medium of instruction, will be made compulsory in all secondary schools. Instruction will begin with Secondary 1 in 1966. After 1969, when next year's Secondary 1 pupils reach Secondary IV, every candidate will be required to pass a second language in the School Certificate Examination.

    Emphasis will be given to scientific, vocational and technical education. Diversification of the curriculum to meet the needs of industrialisation will take place by the incorporation of workshop facilities into the Secondary educational structure. To overcome the traditional prejudice against technical and vocational education, a vocational guidance plan will be introduced for primary school-leavers.

    Full-time teacher-training will be re-introduced in 1966 and more attention will be devoted to providing in-service courses for qualified teachers in order to improve the quality of teachers.

    The emphasis in the next stage of development will be on the expansion of secondary education. The school building programme, therefore, will now be geared to the building of more secondary schools. Every child, eligible for secondary education, will continue to be assured of a place in a secondary school using the language medium of the parents' choice. A number of special secondary schools to be known as "Junior Colleges" will be established for pre-university students so that the staff and facilities can be used to maximum advantage.

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    For the all-round development of secondary students, a plan is being implemented so that participation in sports, games and other extra-curricular activities will be recognised as an integral part of the education system. A Physical Education Centre, incorporating a Music Studio, will be built as a headquarters for extra-curricular activities.

    The establishment of a second Teachers' Training College to provide full-time teacher-training is now well in hand. Pending the completion of the new College, full-time teacher-training will be introduced in 1966, using the existing College temporarily. In the existing College, the numbers involved in part-time in-service training will be reduced gradually so that eventually all teacher-training in the State will be on a full-time basis.

    Arrangements have been finalised for the Singapore Polytechnic professional courses in Engineering, Architecture and Accountancy to lead to degrees to be awarded by the University of Singapore. Long-term plans are also being formulated for the Polytechnic to move to new premises and to expand into a technological university.

    At the University of Singapore, the expansion programme includes the setting up of new faculties in Social Sciences and Technology.

    Steps have been taken to reorganise Nanyang University to make it a university of some standing and more in line with the needs of our society to which it can make a distinctive, intellectual and cultural contribution. In addition to subsidizing the University's annual recurrent expenditure, Government will make provision for its capital development in the next five years.

    In adult education, the manifold activities of the Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa will be further expanded with the building of a new Adult Education Centre.

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HEALTH


    The separation of Singapore from Malaysia does not affect our Health Service in any way, because Singapore had autonomy in health even when it was part of Malaysia two years ago.

    Work on the Thoracic Unit at Tan Tock Seng Hospital is nearing completion and expected to be in operation by early 1966, when modern and advanced surgical facilities for chest surgery will be available to relieve the over-worked Surgical Theatres at the Outram Road General Hospital.

    The Tuberculosis Control Programme has progressed very satisfactorily. So far 378,000 persons had been examined and by the middle of 1966 Mass X-Ray Examination of the adult population (by electoral divisions) would have completed its first round of the whole island. To facilitate easy access by the people for their chest X-ray, a new Static X-Ray Unit will be set up in the City area, next year.

    The response to B.C.G. vaccination to immunise against tuberculosis remained good. Up to date, more than half a million children had been given protection against Tuberculosis by this method.

    A project which represents an advance in the Medical Services in this region has been undertaken in co-operation with the University of Singapore. The Medical Progress Fund will help build a $4 million Institute of Medical Specialities, in the compound of Outram Road General Hospital. This 9-storied Institute will have units for Radiotherapy, with super-voltage X-ray apparatus and radio-active isotopes for cancer treatment, a Cardiac unit for the investigation of heart conditions as well as for Open Heart Surgery, a Neurology and Neurological Unit, a Kidney Unit with an Artificial Kidney machine, as well as units for investigation of blood diseases etc. Government has guaranteed meeting half the cost (i.e, up to a maximum of $2.375 million). Public response in support of the Medical Progress Fund has been generous. The original target of $4.75 million had now exceeded the

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$5.5 million mark. The foundation stone of this Institute was laid on 27th November, 1965 and building operations are to commence soon.

    A White Paper on Family Planning was published in September, consequent on Government being asked by the Singapore Family Planning Association to take over Family Planning activities now being conducted in Government Institutions. The 5-Year Programme, 1966/70 contained in the White Paper, aims at reducing the present crude birth rate at 32 per thousand by one-half, by making family planning service available to all currently eligible married women in Singapore.

    The Dental Services continue to expand with the provision of 6 new school clinics for the coming year. In the 46 school dental clinics and the 2 large school dental centres at Pegu Road and Institute of Health, a total of over 150,000 patient-attendances was recorded in 1964.

    Future development of the dental services will include the establishment of more dental clinics in primary schools and in Maternal and Child Health Centres, and the building of an extension to the existing dental clinic at Outram Road General Hospital to accommodate a new operating theatre for oral surgical cases, and a large polyclinic for dental outpatients.

    The re-organisation and expansion of the Environmental Health Services, Public Cleansing, Anti-Mosquito Services and Hawkers Department are being taken in hand and initial measures for improvement of transport, equipment, enforcement of discipline and training of supervisors have commenced.

    As a result of new legislation which was passed at the end of last year, it has been possible to take firm measures to control the cattle nuisance in Singapore from the beginning of this year.

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SOCIAL AFFAIRS


    With the recent completion of the Woodlands Home for old people, the Department now administers a total of 12 welfare institutions. There are plans

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to set up two more old people's Homes as well as for extensions to two existing Homes for boys and girls.

    The Legal Aid Bureau has extended assistance from October last year to proceedings before the Shariah Court. It gives Muslims free legal aid for disputes relating to marriage, divorce according to the law of Islam and other related matters.

    The Parks and Recreation Division will seek to improve recreational facilities in Singapore's parks and playgrounds. A programme of improvements within the Botanic Gardens is at the moment in progress to enhance the beauty of the Gardens as a tourist and recreational resort; at the same time plans are being formulated to expand the botanical and horticultural research side of the Gardens.

    In a densely populated city like Singapore there is need to ensure that the fire-fighting and prevention services are up to date and provided with the latest equipment and techniques. The Singapore Fire Brigade is now equipped with the latest fire-fighting devices, including a Snorkel for rescue work from high buildings and two Foam Cannons for dealing with oil fires. There are at the moment five fire stations in Singapore, and plans have been formulated for the establishment of two new fire stations, one at Toa Payoh where building operations are expected to commence next year and another at Jurong, at a total cost of $5 million.

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CULTURE


    Radio and TV Singapura will continue to inculcate national attitudes and political understanding and to inform, educate and entertain the public. With independence we have the new task of informing the world especially the peoples of Afro-Asia of our personality, our situation and of our views on issues of an international nature like the unilateral declaration of illegitimate and undemocratic independence by Rhodesia.

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    The TV studios in the new building at Caldecott Hill now under construction are expected to be ready for use by the middle of 1966, when it will be possible to introduce more varied local productions and generally to diversify and improve existing services.

    Commercial Radio and Television will help to meet the increasing cost of expansion.

    Growing literacy in the State has been reflected by the popularity and growth of the National Library, whose membership now exceeds 100,000, seventy-five per cent of whom are children under the age of 15. The Library will continue to provide essential Library and information services to both adults and children in the National Language, Chinese, Tamil and English. The mobile book-service started last year, will be extended to cover more Community Centres, Housing and Development Board Estates and the rural areas throughout the island.

    To match the demand for knowledge, the Library plans to extend its reading hours and to offer its services to Government Departments, commerce and industries.

    Publications, posters, field talks, cinema shows and exhibitions keep the people informed of events concerning them and their country's future. The weekly almanac "The Mirror" now published in four languages has a circulation of 50,000. An active and intelligent awareness of current affairs, is part and parcel of the democratic process.

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NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT


    Housing

    The First Five-Year Housing Programme (1961-1965), produced 51 ,000 units of low-cost housing at the cost of $192 million. Together with 23,000 units built by former governments, they now house 400,000 persons or 23 per cent of Singapore's population of 1.8 million. Under "Home Ownership for the People" Plan, 2,068 units at Queenstown have been sold to the public on instalment payments. Another 1,416 units at MacPherson Estate are being made available.

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    The Second Five-Year Housing Programme (1966-1970) aims to produce 60,000 units of low-cost housing in urban renewal and suburban areas at a cost of $268 million - output target 12,000 units a year. The number of units for sale under the Home Ownership Scheme to meet increasing demand will be decided upon.

    The main construction activity will be concentrated in Toa Payoh, the new Satellite Town. It is an area of 620 acres of which 100 acres have already been cleared and construction on 3,500 units of housing commenced. Toa Payoh will ultimately provide 36,000 residential flats and shops for an expected population of ¼ million people. It is estimated to cost $150 million when completed by 1970.

    

Land Reclamation

    Earth from Toa Payoh has been used to reclaim the swamp at the Kallang Basin. Eventually 400 acres of swamp land will be reclaimed and used for developing into an industrial estate for light industries. The cost of this development is estimated to be $28.5 million and the reclamation work is expected to be completed by 1969.

    Another major reclamation project is the recovery of 1,000 acres of land from the sea on a strip along the east coast six miles long extending from Bedok to Tanjong Rhu. A coastal highway is proposed which will link the town centre with the eastern suburbs. The cost of reclamation alone is estimated to be $53 million. The removal of earth from the landward side will result in the preparation of some 600 acres of land for development.

    

Urban Renewal and Planning

    Two pilot Urban Renewal Schemes will be implemented - N1 (Crawford) and S1 (Outram Road) -

    (a) N1 area 90 acres to hold 6,250 new residential units with schools, community centre, children's creche, cinema and community facilities. Acquisition and clearance is under way. The mile long strip of land fronting the sea between

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Beach Road and Nicoll Highway with participation from the private sector, will be used for development of high quality apartments, shops, hotels, cinemas, etc.

    (b) S1 area 130 acres. 7,785 units will be built and the road system within and on the boundary of this precinct will be redesigned and improved. Private enterprise will also be invited in redevelopment of this area.

Because much of the land involved is already in State ownership, the success of these two pilot schemes is assured. Nevertheless much experience can be gained from these two schemes for further urban redevelopment.

    To maximise benefit from our development and to make use of the experience of other countries, United Nations Special Fund assistance has been sought to help in the comprehensive planning and redevelopment of the whole island on the scientific basis. Singapore can always be proud of her efforts at urban redevelopment - a task which many cities yearn to do but few have the will or capacity, the resources or resourcefulness for success. Our efforts may therefore be of interest to others in conditions similar to ours. The United Nations Special Fund has indicated that our application for assistance is likely to be approved in January 1966. The assistance if approved will consist of a programme lasting 4 years (1966-1970) with experts to help local officers in the preparation of comprehensive development and transportation plans to cater for the needs of a population of 4.0 million in 1990.

    

Physical Planning and Building Control

    Steps are in hand to secure more effective and better co-ordinated physical planning and development control in the State. A Ministerial Committee with the Prime Minister as Chairman and the Ministers for Finance, and Law and National Development as members has been established to co-ordinate policy with regard to comprehensive planning,

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urban renewal, rural and new town development and slum clearance. The Planning Department will be reorganised and expanded. Expert assistance will be obtained. Development Control functions will be transferred to the Chief Building Surveyor's Department so that delays now experienced by developers can be obviated.

    The Chief Building Surveyor's Department will be reorganised to ensure better and more efficient service being rendered to those wanting to build houses or develop land. A more vigorous control will be exercised on unauthorised structures which had been very much of a social problem over the last few years but which problem should not be so pressing now that the housing shortage is no longer acute.

    

Public Works Department

    The Public Works Department will concentrate its efforts on roads, bridges, drainage and sewerage works to meet the increasing needs of a growing population and a development economy. Drainage and sewerage works will be carried out in accordance with long-term plans drawn up to meet the demands of new development, new housing estates and urban and rural expansion.

    Until a comprehensive transportation and traffic plan is drawn up to guide long-term development, the efforts of the P.W.D. will be channelled towards short-term or intermediate-term measures to alleviate traffic congestion and to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on our roads. Wherever possible existing roads will be widened and new roads constructed. The outer ring road system will be widened to provide dual carriageways to connect different parts of the island. Difficult intersections will be improved and certain intersections will be provided with flyovers to ease congestion.

    The Public Works Department will work jointly with the Urban Renewal Unit to redevelop Kallang Park on a comprehensive basis to provide for an Exhibition, Recreation and Sports complex. In it there will be a National Stadium of Olympic standard, extensive

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car parking facilities as well as landscaped gardens and parks, floating restaurants, exhibition and trade centres and probably a tourist hotel.

    

Primary Production and Rural and Urban Services

    The main objective is to help our rural residents to increase productivity and to reduce costs so as to attain a higher standard of living.

    Greater effort will be made to enable our farming population to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetables and fish for Singapore. Certain areas of swamp land (Sungei Poyan and Sungei Pandan) will be reclaimed for intensive agriculture and market gardening. A new Fisheries Ordinance will be drawn up for deep sea and off-shore fishing (including trawling).

    The needs of the peoples in the urban and rural areas will continue to be catered for by the Urban Rural Services Committee. Schemes to bring electricity and water to more people and to provide better communications and drainage. The policy now is to go beyond the stage of just providing a free stand pipe. Mains will be laid to the bigger kampongs so that pipe water can be available to individual households. Every effort will also be made to encourage greater development of the resources in our islands, particularly the bigger ones like Ubin and Tekong.

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COMMUNICATIONS

    Singapore's position as an international centre for communications in South-East Asia will be strengthened when the final stage of the South-East Asia Commonwealth Submarine Telephone Cable System which links Singapore, Jesselton, Hongkong, Guam, Madang, Cairns and Sydney is completed at the end of 1966. This cable will be linked via Guam (where this Commonwealth system will have a Commonwealth-owned cable station) to similar cables in the Pacific and the Atlantic, and will enable telephonic connections to be made with the American and European continents as well as Japan.

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Aviation

    Facilities at the Singapore international Airport will be further developed in order to meet the increase in the number of international airlines which operate through Singapore.

    

Telephone Board

    The Singapore Telephone Board will continue to expand its plant and exchanges to meet the ever increasing demand for telephones and expect to provide an additional 4,600 lines and 50 telephone kiosks in 1966.

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LAW

    

Land

    A Land Acquisition Bill will be drafted and introduced in the coming year. This Bill will embody the principle [contained in the Land Acquisition (Amendment No. 2) Bill which was considered by Select Committee of the Assembly in 1964] that increments in value of land attributable to public expenditure will be creamed off when acquisition of land for public development takes place. The Bill will also alter the procedure in dealing with Land Acquisition Appeals.

    

Public Utilities

    The demand for electricity and water steadily mounts with the increase in population and development. Plans for keeping abreast to ensure that consumer needs are met are being constantly reviewed.

    The official opening of the Pasir Panjang Power Station on 15th October this year marked the completion of Phase One of the project when 120 megawatts were added to the generating capacity. By the end of 1966, there will be an increase of a further 120 megawatts, when Phase Two of the Power Station is completed.

    The gathering momentum of the State's industrial progress has necessitated the construction of a new power station for the Jurong Industrial Complex. Jurong Power Station will eventually provide an additional 480 mega-watts to meet industrial needs.

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    The Government's policy of rural electrification has resulted in 155 kampongs being supplied with electricity. Ten other supply schemes for kampongs are in hand whilst surveys have been carried out on an additional 97 projects.

    The average consumption of water has likewise increased from 32 million gallons a day in 1949 to over 80 million gallons a day now and this figure steadily increases.

    A new booster station, which aims at increasing the pumping capacity of MacRitchie Reservoir is nearing completion. Plans for increasing the domestic storage capacities of our reservoirs are also being actively pursued. In order to improve the storage capacity of Seletar Reservoir, a $23.6 million Seletar Dam is to be constructed shortly, with the aim of increasing the storage capacity from 100 million gallons to 4,500 million gallons.

    

Port Authority

    The Statute implementing Government's intention to bring under one authority control of matters relating to shipping, navigation and port development became operative on 1st April, 1964. With the growing volume of sea traffic, expansion of port facilities to ensure quicker turn-round of shipping becomes imperative and the Port Authority is geared to achieve this.

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    The East Lagoon Development Scheme involving the reclamation of 40 acres of land and the construction of a breakwater and new berths at a cost of $50 million is well under way and reclamation work has reached an advanced stage. In the second phase of this scheme it is proposed to construct four more deep water berths, in addition to the four already constructed in Phase I.

    The Authority has negotiated for a World Bank Loan of $45 million for major port development as well as for the purchase of craft and machines for speedy port handling. This loan from the World Bank is significant in that it underlines the viability of the Port undertakings, the credit-worthiness of the State and world confidence in Singapore's ability to achieve progress.

    

Tourism

    The importance of the tourist trade in the economy of Singapore has increased with independence. Overseas publicity campaigns are being intensified with a view to winning tourists in S.E. Asia and the Pacific Areas. Overseas publicity has so far resulted in attracting a $30 million investment in tourist hotels in Singapore.

    Plans are also under way to improve local tourist facilities with the object of developing the State into a major tourist centre of South-East Asia.