Hansard, 1957-08-21

The following Member has, under the provisions of subsection 3 (i) of section 47 of the Singapore Colony Order in Council, 1955, obtained from the Speaker, permission to be or to remain absent from meetings of the Assembly:- Mr A. R. Lazarous (Farrer Park) - extension of leave from 2nd to 31st August, 1957.

Mr William Allmond Codrington Goode, Chief Secretary, took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance.

I have received two messages from His Excellency the Governor. The first message, dated 9th August, 1957, states that, in accordance with the provisions of section 62 (2) of the Singapore Colony Order in Council, 1955, His Excellency had that day assented to the following Bills:-

asked the Chief Minister whether he has taken action with regard to the deletion of paragraph 30 regarding subversive elements as contained in the Report of the Singapore Constitutional Conference held in London in March and April 1957 (Sessional Paper No. Misc. 2 of 1957).

Yes, Sir.

What a reply!

asked the Chief Minister:-

In answer to (a) (i), No, Sir; (a) (ii), Yes, Sir; and (a) (iii), Yes, Sir, In answer to (b), as the matters discussed have not been finalised and have reached a delicate stage, I do not consider it in the best interests to make a statement at the present time. In answer to (c), the hon. Member can rest assured that in all our discussions we are protecting the interests of the citizens of Singapore.

asked the Chief Minister if he will make a statement regarding his recent discussions with the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my recent discussions with the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya were of an informal character on matters of a pan-Malayan nature. These discussions enabled me and my colleagues to have a better appreciation of the problems that confront us.

asked the Chief Minister whether he is aware of the concern among the public of Singapore over the restrictions proposed to be imposed on travellers between Singapore and the Federation of Malaya after 31st August, 1957; and whether he will make a statement on this matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the concern and I have received an assurance from the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya that his Government will hold discussions with this Government in regard to the proposals before the Federation Government takes any step in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that only Federal citizens are eligible to apply for Government or quasi-Government appointments in the Federation of Malaya; and whether he will take steps to ensure that only persons born in Singapore are eligible for appointment to the Singapore Government service, and that this privilege is not extended to persons born in the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo or Brunei.

Sir, the Federation of Malaya regulations do not entirely exclude from appointment in the Federation applicants who are not Federal citizens. The position as I understand it is that such persons may be appointed if there are no suitable Federal citizens obtainable and a particular post cannot be left vacant. The answer to the second part of the question is, not at present.

asked the Chief Secretary why the post of Special Grade midwife which has appeared in the Estimates yearly since 1949 has not as yet been substantively filled.

This post has not been filled, Sir, because there has been no midwife at Kandang Kerbau Hospital with the qualifying experience required to fill the post.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that complaints have been made by some suspects, when taken to the Police Stations, that they have been assaulted by members of the Police Force and that the conduct and behaviour of some members of the Force, particularly the recruits, are very domineering; and what action does he propose to take in the matter.

Yes, Sir, I am aware that such complaints are frequently made, particularly in secret society cases. Although the conduct of individual members of the Police force may not always be beyond reproach, I do not accept any general imputation against members of the force nor against recruits in particular. Every such complaint is reported to the Commissioner of Police and an immediate enquiry is made and the findings are reported to the Commissioner. I am satisfied that adequate steps are taken to investigate complaints and to take disciplinary action where justified.

asked the Financial Secretary (a) how many business visitors staying a maximum of seven days in Singapore were served with income tax assessment notices during the first half of 1957; and (b) .how many of such persons paid income tax.

Sir, separate lists are not kept of assessments raised in respect of business visitors and the information requested by the hon. Member is therefore not available at the present time. In order to obtain it, it will be necessary to examine all the assessments raised during the first half of 1957. This can be done, but it will mean that staff will have to be taken away from the more important task of raising assessments and collecting tax. No doubt the hon. Member will take this fact into account in deciding whether or not to press his request for information. As regards the second part of the question, having regard to the powers vested in the Comptroller under section 93 of the Ordinance, it is improbable that any of the business visitors to whom the hon. Members refers left the colony without paying tax.

asked the Financial Secretary the reasons why business visitors to Singapore are served with income tax assessment notices under section 12 (4) of the Income Tax Ordinance (Cap. 166), instead of being exempted under section 13 (3) ; whether such notices are served on members of official trade missions to this country; and whether he will state the Government policy on this whole matter.

Sir, business visitors to Singapore who exercise their employment in the colony are served with income tax assessment notices because the law prescribes that this shall be done. Section 10 (1) of the Ordinance prescribes that tax shall be payable on income derived from the colony in respect of gains or profits from any employment. Section 10 (2) defines gains or profits from any employment. Section 12 (4) prescribes that gains or profits from any employment exercised in the colony shall be deemed to be derived from the colony whether the gains or profits from such employment are received in the colony or not. They cannot be exempted under section 13 (3) for the simple reason that this particular section refers to income arising from sources outside the colony and received in the colony by temporary visitors, and not to the exemption of these visitors from tax. Members of official trade missions a reserved with notices if the Comptroller is satisfied on enquiry that they are exercising their employment during their visit to Singapore. The policy in this matter has recently been under review. It has been noted that other countries with which Singapore has trade relations are perhaps more liberal in their treatment of visiting businessmen. Some countries allow a period which may in some cases amount to a month or two to lapse before such persons become liable to tax on the gains or profits of employment exercised in these countries. It is generally agreed that, in the particular circumstances of Singapore as a centre of communications and trade, it would be desirable to liberalise existing policy to a certain extent. It has therefore been decided to submit the matter to the Malayan Board of Income Tax for consideration under section 3 (5) of the Ordinance. In the meantime, as a temporary measure which will, I hope, have the approval of hon. Members, administrative instructions have been given with effect from 1st August that visiting businessmen who exercise their employment in Singapore will not be served with notices of assessment until they stay in the colony for more than one month.

asked the Financial Secretary when the Bill will be introduced to enable Federation of Malaya customs officers to board trains at the Singapore Railway Station and make customs examinations en route to Johore Bahru.

Sir, in reply to a question from the hon. Member in November of last year, I said that it had already been agreed in principle that Federation customs officers should board trains in Singapore and make customs examinations en route to Johore Bahru, and that a Bill authorising this to be done was in draft. The Bill in question is a revision of the Federated Malay States Customs Duty Collection Ordinance (Cap. 232 in the old edition of the laws), and deals with other matters besides the examination of passengers' goods on trains between Singapore and Johore Bahru. This Bill was ready for presentation to the two Legislatures in January 1957 but it was withdrawn by the Federation Government in February so that further amendments to the law could be considered. A redraft was ready in mid-April but it had to be examined by the Departments concerned in Singapore and by the Hon. the Attorney-General in the light of further changes suggested. The present position is that we are awaiting the comments of the Federation Government on a point raised by the Supervisor of Export Duties, Federation Customs Department, in Singapore. I am confident, however, that this point will be settled readily and that the Bill will be presented in the very near future.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing (a) whether any houses or housing units and if so, how many, were completed by the Singapore Improvement Trust during the period from January to June 1957; and (b) how many of these houses or housing units have been allotted up to 31st July, 1957.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to question (a) is that no houses or housing units were completed. I am informed by the Trust the reason why no houses or housing units were completed during the first half of 1957 is that there were no available vacant sites during a period in 1956 which would have allowed for completion in 1957. I am further informed, Sir, that on 31st July, 1957, over 4,000 units of housing accommodation were in course of construction and contracts had been let out for a further 1,000 units of accommodation. The answer to question (b) follows from my answer to (a) - that as no housing units were completed, no houses were allotted.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether the Government has taken any action in regard to the acquisition of land proposed under the Master Plan; and when will the Report of the Inspector from the United Kingdom who heard objections to this Plan be presented to this House.

Sir, steps have been taken in appropriate cases to acquire land reserved in the Master Plan and required immediately for public development. It is not proposed to table the Report of the Inspector as it is a report to Government.

Is the Hon. Minister aware that unauthorised buildings are being erected all over the island and that if no immediate action is taken, compensation will rise very, very high?

That is a different question Sir.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will state the number of housing units of all categories completed by the Singapore Improvement Trust in the six-month periods ending June and December 1955, June and December 1956, and June 1957, and the number of applicants for accommodation on the waiting list at the end of each period.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is as follows. For the half year ending June 1955, the number of housing units completed was 1,000 and the number of applicants on the waiting list of the Housing Register was 9,571. For the half year ending December 1955, the number of housing units completed was 1,795 and the number of applicants on the waiting list was 7,823. For the half year ending June 1956, 1,025 housing units were completed and 9,254 applicants were on the waiting list. For the half year ending December 1956, 242 housing units were completed and there were 9,836 applicants on the waiting list. For the half year ending June 1957, no housing units were completed and the number of applicants on the waiting list was 11,547. In this connection, Sir, I have stated in my reply earlier to a question from the hon. Member for Queenstown that though nothing was completed in the first half of 1957, 4,000 units are now under construction,

Is the Hon. Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing aware that this very unsatisfactory state of affairs is in part due to the delay in deciding upon the terms on which the Housing Trust is to take over the Singapore Improvement Trust staff?

That is quite wrong, Sir.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he is aware that some landlords and chief tenants sublet rooms at exorbitant rents, and whether he will take steps to protect sub-tenants from being victimized.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that some landlords and chief tenants sublet rooms at rents higher than they should but in respect of rent-controlled houses at least the remedy is in the hands of sub-tenants who claim they are being victimised. I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the provisions of the Control of Rent Ordinance (Cap. 242), particularly section 15 (1) (g), which prohibits a chief tenant from receiving for the whole of any sublet premises, including the apportioned rental or value of any part of the premises retained by him, more than 110 per cent of the rent he is paying to the landlord. In other words, where a chief tenant pays his landlord a rent of $100 per mensem, he is allowed under the Ordinance to collect for all the parts sublet and the part retained by him a total rent not exceeding $110 a month excluding municipal charges. If he collects more than this, a sub-tenant can apply to the Rent Conciliation Board set up under the Ordinance to apportion the rent amongst themselves or to recover any excess paid over the legal rent due.

asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the anxiety being caused by allegations of corruption in Singapore hospitals, and whether he will make a statement on this matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the matter to which the hon. Member for Tanglin has referred but I can assure the hon. Member that all allegations are being fully investigated and are in the hands of the Public Prosecutor, where it must lie.

asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that complaints have been made by parents bringing their children to the General Hospital for treatment and admission, and by patients visiting the Maternity Hospital, that they are rudely treated by the staff of the Admission Room, the Dispensary and the Wards; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the question refers to two hospitals, first, the General Hospital where it is alleged that complaints have been made by parents bringing their children for treatment and admission; the second, part of the question refers to Kandang Kerbau Hospital where it is alleged that complaints have been made by patients that they have been rudely treated by the staff of the admission room, the dispensary and the wards. As regards the first part of the question, I am not aware of any such complaints. Regarding the second part of the question, I am aware that such complaints have been made. I can assure the hon. Member that every complaint received by my Ministry is fully investigated and disciplinary action is taken in all proved cases.

Mr Speaker, Sir, since the Minister is not aware of complaints at the General Hospital, will he take the trouble to investigate the allegations?

Sir, the first part of the question was only in respect of persons bringing children, and I have received no complaints.

asked the Minister for Communications and Works if he will recommend to the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority that the route of the bus service (Route 3A), between Park Road and Telok Blangah Road, be diverted into the Queenstown Housing Estate, through Dawson Road, Strathmore Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue; and that the terminus be extended to South Canal Road.

Sir, I will not. The course of action which the hon. Member for Queenstown envisages would involve special legislation which I am not prepared to introduce.

Can the Hon. Minister tell us what kind of special legislation should be introduced before he will recommend to the Licensing Authority?

Under the present legislation I have no powers to make recommendations of the sort which the hon. Member envisages, nor has the Authority power to take any action except when it receives applications by operating companies for routes.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry (a) if he is aware of the alleged seizure of the Singapore-registered fishing craft Hock Huat by an Indonesian gunboat on 30th July, 1957; (b) whether he will make a statement on the seizure of this fishing craft; and (c) whether he has taken or will take any action in the matter.

The answer to question (a) is, Yes, Sir. The answer to question (b) is a statement will be made after a reply has been received to our representation to the Indonesian Government. The answer to question (c) is that the British Ambassador in Jakarta has been requested to lodge a protest with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on this matter.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he has taken any steps to ensure reductions in the prices of rice and sugar since the reopening of the Suez Canal to shipping.

Sir, perhaps the hon. Member has failed to realise that our imports of rice do not pass through the Suez Canal, and only a minor portion of our sugar imports pass through the Suez Canal. The closing or reopening of the Suez Canal has therefore had only a negligible direct effect on the prices of rice and sugar. The prices of these commodities in Singapore are governed by world supply and demand. In these circumstances, therefore, no action is necessary. In further amplification of my reply, Sir, I may perhaps with profit refer the hon. Member to a news item appearing in today's Straits Times under the heading, "Bangkok Clamp May Send Rice Price Up". It states in the news item that there is a possibility of export restrictions in Bangkok which might cause prices to rise in Singapore and the Federation.

Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Hon. Minister not realise that rice and sugar are essential commodities and that this is important to the public and can he be kind enough to see what he can possibly do to help the public to get the prices down?

Not only the Minister but every other thinking man in Singapore realises that rice and sugar are essential commodities, and if the hon. Member has any bright ideas he may perhaps care to discuss with me.

10.22 a.m.

Sir, I beg leave to refer to Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 29 of 1957 which has been tabled today and to make some remarks in explanation of it. The annual estimates which form an appendix to the Appropriation Ordinance indicate in detail how the funds made available each year should be spent. These estimates, however, have been drawn up in the year previous to that to which they refer. It is not always possible to say with complete accuracy how much will have to be spent in the following year on the services for which provision is made or what new needs will arise. As hon. Members are aware, when the need to provide for some new service arises, an application is made for a supplementary vote. Similarly, where there has been some radical change in a service for which provision has already been made and additional funds are required, an application for supplementary vote is made. These applications are incorporated in messages which are presented to the Assembly from time to time. There are, however, a number of occasions when the need arises to supplement a service for which provision has already been made but where the additional sum required is small; for example, a rise in the price of printing machines due to circumstances in the supplying country may necessitate a supplement; freight rates may be increased as a result of an international crisis and prices may rise generally on goods ordered from overseas; and so on. In no case is any new principle involved, nor has there been any material change in the service for which provision has been made in the estimates. It is an established principle in financial procedure of the United Kingdom that the Executive should have power to transfer funds from one service to another provided no new or novel principia is involved and the sum voted under a particular head of expenditure is not exceeded. This power of virement, as it is called, has been incorporated to a limited degree in the financial procedure of this Colony, and General Orders of the Government prescribe - General Order 662(b) - "When the provision under one sub-head appears to be likely to be exceeded in any year, savings from another sub-head within the same sub-division of expenditure may be transferred with the approval of the Financial Secretary, except under the Head - 'Public Works, Non-Recurrent'." These transfers approved by the Financial Secretary under General Order 662 (b) are recorded in the Treasury and in the Vote Books of the Departments concerned, and are notified to the Deputy Director of Audit as they are made. Recently, when studying the accounts for 1954, the Public Accounts Committee of this Assembly drew attention to the fact that, while they had a record of applications for supplementary provision which had been approved, neither they nor the Legislature had any record of transfers approved under General Order 662 (b), and that the information required to reconcile the sums voted in the annual estimates and the expenditure shown in the accounts was to that extent incomplete. It was therefore suggested by the Committee that a quarterly return of transfers under General Order 662 (b) should be made to the Legislature for information. The first return was tabled as Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 16 of 1957 and the second, for the second quarter of the year, is tabled today.

10.26 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to announce that following upon the findings of a Government Inter-Departmental Committee which was recently appointed to look into the nature and activities of private medical benefit organisations, Government has decided in principle to introduce fresh legislation to bring under more effective control the activities of these organisations as well as other forms of mutual-aid organisations which might be established in future. Sir, there are at present 21 active medical benefit organisations which have all sought and obtained official recognition by either registering under the Business Names Ordinance or registering as private limited companies under the Companies Ordinance, and except for registration they are not subject to any control whatever. In view of the multiplicity of the activities of these organisations, and public concern as to the questionable nature of some of their objects, it has been decided that it would be necessary to bring these organisations under more effective control; hence the need for the introduction of fresh legislation. The form, Sir, which such legislation will take is now being examined by the Hon. the Attorney-General.

"to make provision for citizenship of Singapore and for matters connected therewith", presented by the Chief Minister (Mr Lim Yew Hock); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

"to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 132 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Attorney-General (Mr E. P. Shanks); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

"to provide for the management and control of the Raffles Museum", presented by the Assistant Minister for Education (Inche Mohamed Sidik Bin Haji Abdul Hamid); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

"to repeal the provisions of the Raffles Societies Ordinance (Chapter 312 of the Revised Edition) which relate to the Raffles Library to constitute a Raffles National Library; to provide for the management and control of the Raffles National Library and for purposes connected therewith", presented by the Assistant Minister for Education (Inche Mohamed Sidik Bin Haji Abdul Hamid); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

"to provide for the management and control of the Botanical Gardens", presented by the Assistant Minister to the Chief Secretary (Mr M. P. D. Nair); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

10.31 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That leave be given to introduce a Bill to amend the Labour Ordinance, 1955 (No. 40 of 1955). When this House passed the Labour Ordinance in 1955, it was its intention to give workmen seven full days' leave per year - seven full days not including Sunday or the rest day - and that intention was expressed in section 47 (1) of the Ordinance which reads as follows: "Every workman shall be entitled to seven days' paid leave for every twelve months continuous service with the same employer after the coming into force of this Ordinance and such leave shall be in addition to the holidays to which such workman is entitled under section 46 of this Ordinance." Sir, the art of draftsmanship is a very esoteric art and I do not pretend to be an expert in it. Unfortunately the draftsman of this Ordinance, who was supposed to have been an expert, should have expressed the intention of the Legislature accurately and precisely. A matter has now arisen in this way. The Singapore Chinese Printing Workers Union have had considerable correspondence with the employers as to the right of their workmen to have seven days' holiday not including the rest day or Sunday. The employers have sought legal advice and the advice they have received is that the Ordinance, as drafted, means seven days including the rest day or Sunday. Now, Sir, the argument, very briefly, is this, that in section 48, where sick leave is mentioned, it is specifically stated in subsection (2), in the proviso thereto, that- "no workman shall be entitled to paid sick leave on a rest day or on a holiday to which the workman is entitled under section 46 of this Ordinance or on any day of paid annual leave." Therefore, by implication, since rest day is not mentioned in section 47 (1), but holidays is mentioned in section 47 (1), rest day is included as part of the seven days mentioned in section 47 (1). I have written to the Ministry of Labour on this matter and their very unhelpful suggestion is that we should take the matter up in the High Court. That will cost a great deal of money and in my opinion the interpretation suggested by the managements' legal advisers is correct. We can obviate the difficulty which this bit of draftsmanship has created by adding in section 47 (1) words which will make it quite clear that the seven days are not to include holidays or rest days, and it is for this purpose that I am seeking leave to move a Bill to amend section 47 (1) of the Labour Ordinance. The amendment will be in such terms-to alter the words at the end of the subsection so that it reads as follows: "Every workman shall be entitled to seven days' paid leave for every twelve months continuous service with the same employer after the coming into force of this Ordinance and such leave shall be in addition to rest days and holidays to which such workman is entitled under section 41 and section 46 respectively of this Ordinance." In those terms, there will not be any doubt whatsoever as to the right of a workman to be entitled to seven days not including holidays or rest days. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Sir, I rise to second the motion and reserve my right to speak later. Question proposed. 10.36 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as Minister for Labour and Welfare I am in agreement with the amendment which the hon. Member seeks leave to introduce to the Labour Ordinance. In fact this is one of the amendments which will feature in a consolidated amending Bill now being prepared by my Ministry, the intention of the amendments being to remove certain anomalies which have since been discovered in the Labour Ordinance. Sir, the amendment proposed by the hon. Member for Tanjong Pagar, as he has already explained, will give seven days' paid annual leave. It has always been Government's intention to give seven days' leave all of which is to be paid; for these seven days the workman would be paid the amount which he would have received had he been at work. This is the principle followed elsewhere and is the simplest and fairest method of calculation. I might add, Sir, that this point was discussed at meetings of the Labour Advisory Board held in May and July. Sir, the Government does not oppose the application for leave to introduce an amending Bill, but in the light of what I have mentioned, Sir - that the Labour Ministry has already set afoot an amending Bill (which may be introduced at the October sitting) - I wonder whether the hon. Member would leave his amendment to be incorporated into a Bill which could cover all amendments, instead of proceeding with amending the Labour Ordinance in a piecemeal way.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have no objections to having this amendment included with the other amendments which the Hon. Minister for Labour and Welfare seeks to move, but I am concerned that no move will be made until October. As I understand it from the replies given by the other Hon. Ministers when moving their Bills, the next sitting of the Assembly will be on 11th September. I therefore suggest, Mr Speaker, Sir, that for the purposes of my amendment, I table the Bill for First Reading but that it can be incorporated in the other amendments and then I shall abandon my Bill at a later stage.

Question put, and agreed to.

Who is prepared to introduce the Bill?

I, Sir. Mr Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled, "The Labour (Amendment) Ordinance". Bill read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 11th September, 1957, and to be printed.

10.41 a.m.

Sir, I have His Excellency's authority to move, That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $513,525 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 30 of 1957. Sir, an explanation of the need for each item is given in the Schedule and I shall be happy to give any additional information which hon. Members may require. Sir, I beg to move.

Sir, I second it. Motion and Schedule considered in Committee of Supply.

10.42 a.m.

The Summary is at page 6. Head 7 - The sum of $15,000 for Head 7 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 8 - The sum of $10 for Head 8 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 12 - The sum of $55,239 for Head 12 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 25 - The sum of $158,286 for Head 25 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 42 - The sum of $22,570 for Head 42 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 46 - The sum of $2,535 for Head 46 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D42 - The sum of $500 for Head D42 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D56 - The sum of $57,100 for Head D56 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D62 - The sum of $202,285 for Head D62 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. The sum of $513,525 for the Heads of Expenditure and for the service's specified in the Schedule ordered to stand part of the motion. Motion and Schedule reported, without Amendment. Question, "That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $513,525 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 30 of 1957.". put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $513,525 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 30 of 1957.

10.46 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have His Excellency's consent to move, That .Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council:- "On the occasion of the attainment of Independence by the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations on Saturday, 31st August, 1957, the Singapore Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the people of Singapore, sends to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation of Malaya greetings and congratulations at this historic time - the emergence of a new nation, taking its rightful place among the freedom-loving nations of the world; and good wishes for the future in which the peoples and Governments of both our territories are inextricably bound, a future which therefore holds a challenge to good sense and tolerance which can only be successfully met by constant and unstinted goodwill, and by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the prime interest of both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook and purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka. We of Singapore look forward to that day when our strength will be added to your strength and our separation will be ended; and we can proudly go forward together to make our joint contribution in human welfare, economic prosperity and political strength to the great and distinctive service of Asia to the modern world.

Sir, I must confess that it is with pride and happiness that I move this motion. In a matter of days, the Federation of Malaya will emerge as an independent, sovereign state. In a matter of days a new nation fulfilling its own inevitable destiny will take its proud and rightful place among the great, the small, yet the ever-growing freedom-loving nations of the world. In this part of the world, a new flag will fly and the boundaries of Free Asia will be further enlarged. Sir, I am not unmindful of the honour and privilege bestowed on me as the mover of this historic motion; nor must I forget to acknowledge in this Assembly the assurance of wholehearted and spontaneous support which Members of the Opposition were quick to extend in this, a matter not only of moment, but also of deep and abiding significance to Singapore. Two years ago, almost to a day today, this Assembly agreed, nem. con. as the Official Report has it, to a message of greetings being conveyed by you, Sir, to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council. With your permission, Sir, I will read the full text of that message: "That Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes for the inaugural meeting of the Federal Legislative Council:- 'On this historic occasion, the Singapore Legislative Assembly on behalf of the people of Singapore sends fraternal greetings and good wishes to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation. In the dawn of this new era in the political history of the separated parts of this Malayan territory we of the Singapore Legislative Assembly look forward to the closest co-operation and co-ordination with the Federal Legislative Councillors in building up a Malayan outlook and loyalty and in the achievement of our common aims for freedom, economic security and social welfare of the peoples of this territory, and extend to our brothers across the Straits our good wishes for their success in the way ahead.'" Sir, that first message was in the main a message of hope and good wishes for the future, at that time still in the balance. That message, too, pledged our full and unstinting support, for there were negotiations ahead - and as we know so well to our cost, negotiations sometimes have a habit of taking an unexpected turn. But that was two years ago. In the life and the history of a people, two years represent but a fleeting moment. Yet within this small compass of time, the Federation of Malaya achieved Merdeka. The manner in which this was accomplished is worth recollecting. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya, is a close and sincere friend of mine. I have always admired him for his sincerity, a quality at once apparent even at the first meeting. Members of the Opposition in this Assembly have also paid tribute to this most valuable asset possessed by the Tunku. Two years ago the Member for Tanjong Pagar described the Tunku as a gentleman in every sense of the word - an apt and happy description. It was Tunku Abdul Rahman, by a combination of patience, perseverance and that most important ingredient - inspiring leadership - and with the sense of dedication, who first created an atmosphere of unity in his country and cordiality in the conference hall, prerequisites of the success rightly his due. Here was a display of statesmanship at once magnificent and masterly; here was a man building success on the surest of foundations - sincerity. It was this quality which generated pond readily to goodwill. It was this quality of the Tunku which made the High Commissioner of the Federation his ally, and this fact the Tunku himself has admitted a few days ago. The road the Federation will take is now known. A nation assembled in proud array is ready for its destiny and the greatest adventure of all - to march into the Merdeka Highway! - a path which the leader is pointing out with pride and confidence. The future the Federation will make will be glorious. They have a just man as leader. They have unity and purpose as a driving force. They have friends and allies tested and true, whose aid they have but to invoke; but most important of all, Sir, they have themselves - the people of Malaya ardent in their wish to take the difficult uphill road of freedom, and glory, and nationhood. On this day, with joy and pride, and yet with humility, we greet the people and Government of the Federation of Malaya with but one word - Merdeka! For other words are inadequate and empty, inappropriate and meaningless. Sir, I now come to the last part of my motion. Here is our testament of faith, hope and charity; faith that one day soon Singapore will be united with the Federation; hope that Singapore and the Federation, as one unit, one country, one nation, will contribute jointly to the good and the strength of the whole; and charity that the tolerance and goodwill, the help and support each has given to the other in the past, will sustain us in the future and remain the basis of our relations in the new and changed circumstances. I have no reason to look to the future with doubts or misgivings. We, too, shall know a change next year. We in Singapore shall have self-government and, with it, the responsibility for the management of our internal affairs and our trade. In the one, we already have the assurance of Federation assistance; in the other, we look forward to the continuance of their co-operation. To me, the future holds both promise and challenge, so long as we keep faith with ourselves and our destiny, which is inevitably and inextricably bound up with the Federation. And now, Sir, I would like to make the following announcements. The Government, in order to ensure that the people of this island may be able to participate as they desire, and as fully and spontaneously as possible, in the Merdeka celebrations commencing in the Federation on 30th August, has already announced that it has appointed Saturday, 31st August, a public holiday, in addition to the public holidays appointed for this year. Ships will be dressed on Saturday, 31st August. Guns will be fired at 10 a.m. on Monday, 2nd September, to mark the installation of His Majesty the Yang di Pertuan Agong. The Government has offered the Federation Government a gift which will take the form of meeting the cost of furnishing completely a Committee Room in the new Parliament building to be erected in Kuala Lumpur. The Federation Government has been pleased to signify its gracious acceptance. Hon. Members approved this expenditure earlier today. Sir, an interim gift from Singapore, of a grandfather clock, which will be placed in the Committee Room in the Federal Legislative Council, will be sent to Kuala Lumpur this week. I have arranged for this clock, which has been suitably engraved, to be put on view in the foyer to my office for the convenience of Members who may wish to see it. I am sure, Sir, these arrangements will receive the wholehearted approval of this Assembly. Finally, Sir, I would like to announce that the Government of the Federation has extended to me an invitation to attend, as a representative of the Singapore Government, the Merdeka celebrations in Kuala Lumpur from 30th August to 3rd September. My wife has also been included in this invitation. Ministers - and I understand you also, Six - have been invited separately. I shall convey to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, on behalf of the people and the Government of Singapore, our felicitations and good wishes, and our assurance of continued support and promise of continued co-operation and goodwill. Sir, I beg to move. 11.00 a.m.

Sir, I rise to second the motion. Whenever a nation is free of its shackles from colonialism, wherever a nation in the world attains freedom, we, who love freedom, rejoice with them. In this particular case, Sir, the Federation of Malaya had been a part of the whole of geographical Malaya. We had been together for a very long time until separated just after the war, so that when the Federation of Malaya attains independence, it is with greater joy that we express our feelings. Our joy is not only limited, Sir, to the nation attaining independence, but that this nation, after its attainment of independence, will remain within the free world as a free and democratic country, a country that will follow the wishes of the people, a country that will observe parliamentary democracy. This indeed, Sir, is one of the rejoicings that we have. This is a fact that must be remembered. We wish the Federation of Malaya all the best in its future. We wish that the Government will rule wisely. And we wish that the people - all the people - in Malaya, irrespective of race or creed, will enjoy the freedom that is now obtained. We wish that all of them will be happy and be treated equally under the law, and we hope that the nation will march forward as one that has co-operation amongst its people, and that its people will all be loyal to its Government. On this side of the Straits, Sir, we in Singapore look at the Federation of Malaya with admiration, and perhaps, too, with a little sense of shame, for having been in the forefront of this march to Merdeka; we are now left behind to follow its footsteps. We wish we, too, will be independent. We wish we too could have been a free nation. We wish that we could be as proud as they could be on August 31 to proclaim themselves as free people of a free nation. Yet we are happy that they have attained freedom. We are happy that our big brother is ahead of us. We hope to follow them. We are more concerned, Sir, that after the attainment of independence, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore will carry on as in the days of old on the lines of co-operation, on the lines of helping one another. People in the Federation as well as in Singapore always regard the two territories as one. There is never an instance when we think of going to the Federation of Malaya as going abroad to a new country. We always regard going to the Federation of Malaya as taking a sort of a holiday in another part of our own country. We hope that all the laws that will be made will be for the mutual benefit of both. We hope that not only will one nation be benefited, but the Federation of Malaya and Singapore will both be prosperous and happy. With two neighbours so closely connected, it is important that both territories must be satisfied. The losing of happiness of one will affect the other. As a Chinese saying goes, "Without the lips the teeth will be cold." If Singapore were to be placed in an unhappy position, the Federation of Malaya will not be as happy as it should be. But with both sections complete, it can be assured that there will be prosperity all round. Sir, I have great pleasure in seconding this motion. Question proposed. 11.09 a.m.

Sir, I associate myself with the remarks made by the Hon. the Chief Minister, the mover of the motion, and the seconder. I wish to echo the rejoicings of my Party on Malaya's attainment of full nationhood within a matter of days. With its diverse interests and its riches in mineral resources, and its multiple society, Malaya has shown to the world during the last two short years that it is more than capable to harness those diverse interests and riches for the benefit of the different peoples that go to make up the population of Malaya. By this I do not mean that the people of Malaya, whom I shall refer to as Malayans, should rest on their laurels, but that they should march forward with caution and steadiness so that whatever teething troubles that are bound to arise to face the new nation will be overcome with confidence and wisdom. In the rejoicings which the Malayans richly deserve, I think they should also jolt themselves into the realisation of three factors: firstly, the statesmanlike manner in which the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya and his colleagues have demonstrated in their struggle for independence; secondly, the magnanimity of the British in relinquishing their power, influence and interests in a manner which speaks volumes of their good faith, sincerity and a genuine desire on their part to grant independence without the shedding of one single drop of blood; and thirdly, the militant Communist menace that mars the progress of the country and its people in the pursuit of their daily life. Now that the country is to be independent with a fully elected Legislature in 1959, I trust all the Malayans will rally round the Government in putting a stop to this wasteful shooting war in the jungle. With these sentiments I salute the new nation - the Federation of Malaya - and proudly endorse the message to the Federal Legislative Council and its Members. 11.11 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is with a feeling of joy and happiness that I rise to support the motion. Never before in the history of the world has a people in so short a time attained the status of national independence. In two years from a stage of colonialism the Federation of Malaya has emerged into one of the leading nations of South-East Asia. How was this brought about? First, Sir, credit must go to the leaders themselves, men of the calibre of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Dato Sir Cheng-lock Tan who, moved by an intense desire for independence, were able to rally the support of the various races in Malaya into one channel, that of Merdeka. Malaya is fortunate in that, at this stage of its history, she has at the helm of affairs a man of exceptional foresight and understanding, able and willing to serve his fellow-men without fear or favour in the interests of the country as a whole. But for his courage and devotion to the cause of Merdeka, and his non-communal leadership, we might not today be sending this message of congratulations. Credit must also be given, Sir, to the Malay Rulers who, with dignity and calmness, aligned themselves with the people in their struggle for independence. Finally, Sir, credit must go to the people of the Federation of Malaya who, against great odds, have managed to sink their differences and work for the common good. Perhaps the greatest but sometimes forgotten factor which contributed towards Malaya's independence is the approach of the political Parties. It is true, Sir, that political Parties these days have one form of ism or another. Sometimes it is Socialism, at other times it is capitalism or even Communism. But in the Federation it is worthy of note that the Parties in the Alliance had a totally different ideology. Their ism - if at all it could be called that - is Merdekaism. It was this call to the people which struck the note. Had it been any other, Malaya would probably be in chaos today. We on this small island should take note and perhaps draw a leaf out of the Federation's book of success. If we are really sincere and honest to the cause of Merdeka, we should be able to subjugate everything else to this greater goal. Sir, in the message which we propose to send to the Federation, mention is made of a merger. I do not propose to go to great lengths over this. It is admitted that a great majority of the people of Singapore would like to see a United Malaya. How it will be brought about is another matter. It may be that the Federation Government will continue refusing us, as they have consistently done since the days of Mr Marshall; or it may be that they may accept us five, ten or fifteen years hence. But what I do say, Sir, to the political Parties of Singapore, including mine, is the less we talk of a merger the greater the possibility. We already have much in common. Let us use these common grounds as a basis for greater co-operation and understanding between the two territories. To the people of the Federation of Malaya, I say, "May you progress from strength to strength, and may you be the guiding light to the people of this part of Asia. Allah peliharakan kedaulatan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu!" 11.16 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I heartily support the message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council and to all the people of Malaya on the occasion of the attainment of Independence within the Commonwealth of Nations on 31st August, 1957. But it would appear to be out of turn to continue harping - in vain - on the question of merger, at every given slight opportunity. At the moment, Sir, all the noise that we can make regarding the merger is but a voice in the wilderness. It is just like rain water dripping off the back of a duck. We might as well save our face, we might as well at least save our breath, to cool our porridge for the time being. Let us be realistic. Let us do first things first. Let us marshal our forces together. Let us pull ourselves out of, or solve, the many pressing problems confronting us, lest we humiliate ourselves much further in the eyes of our good neighbour - the Federation of Malaya. There are many urgent needs that require immediate attention. First, the industrial unrest; second, the flight of local capital; the ever-increasing number of unemployed in Singapore and the growing army of idle teenagers whose future is doomed as things stand today. If Beng Kong has chicken-pox, do you expect Mohammad next door to go hand-in-hand with him? The reason is obvious, even though both of them are the best of friends. I would therefore say that this goodwill message will serve its purpose better if we would delete "the merger hint" entirely out of it. 11.18 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in their coming hour of glory, we, the people of Singapore, rejoice together with the people of the Federation over their achievement of independence. Sir, there are times when if we see our neighbour getting a big profit or advantage or benefit, we feel a little bit envious. Sir, we do not envy the Federation. We are today full of joy at their achieving their independence, and we hope that some day we, too, will achieve our independence. But our independence is inextricably bound up with merger with the Federation because, as a small island, it is futile for anyone to suggest that we could stand as an independent sovereign state on our own legs. Sir, after the war, through no fault of our own, we have been artificially separated from the mainland. Geography has been ignored and an artificial political separation has been created. We hope, Sir, in time to come, with goodwill and co-operation between men on both sides of the Causeway, to erase this artificial separation and to unite with our brothers who are of us. We and the people of the Federation are one and cannot for long stand any artificial separation; it is against human nature. It is sad, Sir, that in a debate in which we should all rejoice, we hear a note of discord from the hon. Member for Tiong Bahru. Sir, anyone in his right senses in Singapore, whether he is a politician or a man in the street, will realise that geographical affinities demand that we should become one, and that united we can form a Greater Malaya; divided we might take away each other's strength and probably both territories could not come up to the full strength as they would if they were united together.

By humiliating methods?

Sometimes it is not humiliation to co-operate with a brother. Therefore, Sir, we on this side of the House - and I am sure all other sensible men in Singapore - will not only rejoice at the attainment of independence by the Federation, but also will look forward to the day when we become one. 11.22 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in ten more days, the world will witness the birth of a new nation, the Federation of Malaya. I join this House in congratulating the people of the Federation of Malaya on the eve of this historic occasion and on the fulfilment of its political aspirations. I am deeply moved, Sir, by the rejoicings and the jubilation of the people of the Federation. We in Singapore share in the pride and the honour of this great moment. The people in the Federation have fought well and courageously in the struggle for freedom. They have known many vicissitudes and learn many heartbreaking experiences, but we are proud to say that the three major races which comprise the people in the Federation have, in a common brotherhood, learn to live together, to fight together and, we are sure, will enjoy the fruits of victory together also and to take part in the urgent tasks of national reconstruction together. The continuation of the unity of all the races is of fundamental importance in building up a happy and prosperous Malaya we all desire. The Union Jack which has fluttered on every school flagpole and over every Government building for the past hundred years and more, shall be lowered in the Federation on Merdeka Day; 31st August, 1957, shall mark the birth of a new nation and the political withdrawal from the Federation of the British colonial masters. Sir, I support the motion before the House. I support the motion before this House, composing of representatives of the people of Singapore. I am sure I shall see in the very near future the elected representatives of both the Federation and Singapore assembling under one House of Parliament. The separation of our two territories, Sir, is an artificial separation. The day will soon dawn when there is a family reunion of eleven elder brothers which comprise the present territory called the Federation of Malaya, and the twelfth younger brother, which is Singapore. Singapore is part and parcel of the Malayan nation. No power on earth can maintain the artificial separation of the two territories for long. The desires of the people living in the two territories to be together must and will triumph. 11.26 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I cannot agree with what the hon. Member for Tiong Bahru has just said against the merger, but I can well understand his feelings and the true feelings of the people of this country. Anyone who has a close eye on the present political development of this country should be deeply impressed by the heavy responsibility and the hearty feelings implied in the motion. I may not agree with what was said just now by the mover of the motion, the Hon. the Chief Minister, but I have doubt that he was speaking with full conscience and sincerity. I can assure the House that the Hon, the Chief Minister, just the same as I or any other average sensible person in the two territories, welcome 31st August, Merdeka Day - but with mixed feelings. Rejoice? Of course we rejoice. As what the Member for Ponggol-Tampenis says, the Union Jack will go down on the day. We are very happy that our brothers will then at last be free from colonial rule. But what will a genuine Malaysian feel to call our brothers a new nation legally separated from us? I still remember a little incident which happened in London. The present Chief Minister asked me at the hotel in St. James' Court, "Look, Cher Kheng, you signed your name in the Record Book of St. James' Court as Malayan?" I said, "Yes." "Oh," he said, "I, too, signed as Malayan." The then Minister for Labour and I then signed the record book giving our nationality as Malayan, but in the light of this motion today, will the mover of the motion be allowed any more to sign his nationality officially as Malayan? Sir, I doubt very much. Although the Straits Times says that every true Malayan should buy a copy of its Merdeka souvenir, I doubt very much if it is in the right sense to term our brothers, who are lucky, powerful and able to achieve such early independence, a new nation. Naturally, Sir, we have mixed feelings and I cannot, as a people's representative, tell lies or engage in political double-talk. We say, "We are happy, we rejoice"; but, Sir, the genuine feelings of the people in the two territories are not as what our politicians say they are - the happiness and rejoicing indeed are mixed with fear and doubt. I can say most of the people of the two territories are asking the question, "Quo Vadis, Malayans?" You say, "Malaya is only for Malays." The Singapore Chinese say, "Singapore is only for the Chinese." There are racialism, cultural conflict, increases in taxation and our dying industrialisation, all so closely connected with livelihood in the two territories. We cannot blame anybody here, Sir, but I wish to place on record that we can blame one person - the Rt. Hon. Mr Lennox-Boyd, who must be held responsible for the state of affairs today - this artificial separation of the two territories. If he had allowed us to have a genuine joint Merdeka team, we would have had one united and consolidated constitution. We could not have had the state of affairs today, and the fears and doubts of tomorrow. Sir, I cannot add any more to the words which many Members have spoken in praise of Tunku Abdul Rahman. I recollect I had the privilege and honour once to have a lengthy private talk with him. I hold him as one of the truly idealistic leaders of this country who can solve the serious problem of today, and even of tomorrow, of creating a greater Malaysian nation. I told him that almost all the political leaders in this country were fools because they were falling into the age-old colonial trap of divide and rule. I think I have asked once before in this Assembly why if the Commissioner-General, Sir Robert Scott, is able to have jurisdiction and control over the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo, why cannot we have a Malaysian nation as our cultural and economic interests are identical? Instead, we are being driven apart. It is a shock to me. I say that in the history of the world, there have never been two territories so close and yet are divided. The Hon. the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing has just said that the independence of Malaya, achieved in so short a time, creates world history. I would add: if possible create bigger history. Colonial policy seeks to divide our people and naturally to cut us apart. Who is responsible for it, I ask?

Order. I was just wondering whether this debate is developing into one on the merger not only of the Federation and Singapore, but also of the other territories in this region. I would like to know how relevant that is to the motion.

Sir, it is of course relevant. I am not only supporting the merger of Singapore and the Federation but, as a further step, I would like Tunku Abdul Rahman to give us a lead by enlarging the merger and creating a greater Malaysian nation.

Order. I suggest that if hon. Members will confine their speeches to emphasising the goodwill part of the message, it will be better for Singapore.

Sir, let me touch on the motion now. It says in part: ". . . by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the primary interest or both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook arid purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka." Sir, I would like particularly to quote this paragraph and emphasise how closely related we are. In today's papers there is an item about a statement made by the Defence Minister of the United Kingdom in Canberra about atomic bombs for Malaya!

Order. We are now departing into nuclear research! Shall we confine ourselves to the motion, which is to send a message of goodwill?

Sir, I am sorry. I close my speech with a sincere appeal. I cannot add to the beautiful phrases and the praise for Tunku Abdul Rahman. I extend my personal greeting to him and hope that he will fulfil the wishes of the people of this territory. On my short visit to Brunei a few weeks ago it was a surprise to me, Sir, to see many households displaying pictures of our Malayan political leaders like Tunku Abdul Rahman and even the hon. Member for Tanjong Pagar. It seems to be so natural to do so. Therefore, I convey my wishes, not just empty words of praise, but I hope, first, that the coordinating administrative bodies in the two territories will, and must, try their best to continue their work; and second, that a pan-Malayan economic policy will be adopted. That is my sincere wish. 11.40 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this message of congratulations to the new nation across the Causeway. I support in particular the hope that the separation of Singapore and the Federation will one day be ended. I hope that that day will be very soon. The longer this day is postponed, Sir, the greater the risk of the two territories drifting apart. As you already know, Sir, there are already groups - factions - in Singapore working actively to prevent a merger between the two territories. Only a few days ago there was a newspaper report of a new political party with the slogan. "Merdeka without merger!" This party has the backing of wealthy men who probably would like to run this island as one big estate. Parties like this can do a great deal of harm. They will exploit and magnify differences between the two territories in order to strengthen their cause. This must result in communal tensions and suspicions. Those who cry for Merdeka without merger may not intend such a thing, but there will be a rise of communal tension whether they like it or not. Therefore the longer the two territories remain divided, the greater the difficulties of building a strong united nation. The People's Action Party therefore believes that merger should not remain a pious hope, an objective to be achieved in some remote future. The two Governments must get down together now to consider ways and means of bringing the two territories closer to each other, not to discuss ways and means of how to make the distinctions between the two greater. 11.42 a.m.

Sir, as a civil servant who has spent nearly all his working life in Malaya, and the greater part of that in what is now the Federation, working with and for its many charming peoples and in its many beautiful places, working, if I may say, with all respect to the hon. Member for Ponggol-Tampenis, not under the Union Jack but under the state flag of Pahang, under the state flag of Trengganu, under the state flag of Selangor and for many other states that form part of the Federation - as one, Sir, who has spent many very happy and deeply satisfying years in that territory, I should like to associate myself wholeheartedly with the message of congratulations and good wishes going from this Assembly to the Speaker and Assembly of the Federation. And I am sure, Sir, there are many others like me, both here in Singapore and in other parts of the world, who, from a very real affection towards the Federation and its peoples, share in their rejoicing at getting independence, and extend to them our deepest and most sincere good wishes for their future happiness, progress and prosperity. 11.44 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I congratulate Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Chief Minister - and the future, in a very few days, Prime Minister - of the Federation of Malaya or Tanah Melayu, in getting a place for his country within the independent nations of the world. I have said Sir, in this Assembly before, that a man who could win 99 per cent of the seats in the Legislature can do everything, and nothing or no one can prevent him from getting independence. We are very happy that he has achieved his object. I think, Sir, we should follow his example and the example of the people of Malaya, here - that is, co-operation between the various races, Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others, and their unity, that have made possible the achievement of this independence. Sir, I join in congratulating the Federation and its people for achieving independence. 11.45 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this motion. On 31st August, a new phase begins in the history of Malaya. Earlier this morning I met the Hon. Deputy Chief Minister and he made a special request that on this happy and auspicious occasion I should not make dire predictions of impending doom and disaster. I would like to accede to that request but I think we would be deceiving ourselves if we do not realise the deep significance of the change that will be taking place after 31st August. At the moment those of us who read only the English Press are preoccupied with new official dress, palace for the new Paramount Ruler, and embassies being opened abroad. These are the more extravagant manifestations of an independent state. But those who are preoccupied with what is going on not in these high places but in the hearts and the minds of the people, are more concerned with the reactions of the various groups in Malaya and in Singapore to these changes. Up to 31st August, it was a straightforward anti-colonial fight. We all gang up and beat the brains out of the British, which was a very good thing to have done. If, Mr Speaker, Sir, people like the Hon. the Chief Secretary, apart from enjoying all the beautiful places, the beautiful rest houses in which he must have stayed, and the spacious bungalows which the State Governments must have provided for him, had spent some time wondering what would happen to all the immigrant children for whose education the Government did not provide, if they had wondered about the change in the whole complex of the Malayan situation - which their action in allowing wholesale immigration, without providing for the absorption and assimilation of the people would bring about - we would not be faced with this situation today. No doubt when he thinks of the good old days he thinks of the languid, languorous Dorothy Lamour type of situation, where he, the white boss, watched the spectacle of beautiful natives floating across the panoramic scene. But we have to face the reality now because of their stupidity and their mistakes. Whatever may be said, I think the people of Malaya have no regrets in the passing of the British raj. But I give this one compliment to the British raj. They, of all the colonial powers, know how to bow out gracefully. Unlike the French and the Dutch who got their brains beaten into the dust of Hanoi and Jogjakarta, the British are past masters at this art. They bow out gracefully when the time comes. But, Sir, what we want to know after 31st August is: What happens next, because-

Order. I was just wondering whether we do really want to know what happens next in relation to the motion. The motion is just a message of goodwill.

Sir, we can give no better manifestation of our goodwill than our concern and anxiety over what follows after Merdeka. We are all involved in this, Mr Speaker, Sir; very much so, because if the battle is lost in the Federation, then the battle is lost in Singapore.

Order. I am sorry to be intervening in this debate so frequently but it seems to me that all we are debating now is whether or not we should send a goodwill message to the Federation, and the message has been couched as appears on the Order Paper. And if hon. Members do not like the wording of the message, they are at liberty to make amendments. But I think the emphasis should be whether or not a goodwill message should be sent.

I would not be so ungracious as to criticise the fluency of the language. In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, in the short adjournment which I took for myself this morning, I came across the former Chief Minister and it struck me that if he were in charge of this motion we would really have an honorific motion to send across the Causeway. And I have been wondering for some time how it is that such a mundane and modest Chief Minister has got himself involved in such a long and flowery motion. I know that the colonial officials find it tedious to be reminded of their past misdeeds but Mr Speaker. Sir, you will forgive me if I say that we can give no greater evidence of our desire, our genuine goodwill, for the people of the Federation than by showing our concern not only for what happens on Merdeka Day but what happens after. Before 31st August, every policeman, every Home Guard officer, every member of the Federation Regiment who is shot in the armed revolution is shot as a running-dog, or it can be said he was a running-dog, of the British. But after 31st August - and this I think is in the mind of everybody - every soldier, every Home Guard shot, is a shot against a guardian of the newly-found freedom of the people of Malaya, and therefore the $64,000 question: What is the Malayan Communist Party going to do? If it goes on shooting, then the consequences will be catastrophic for them and for the country. This is a new phase and if there are leaders who have the interests of other than just their parties at heart, we should be able to make the democratic system work, for this simple reason if nothing else, that the people of Malaya have not lost faith in the democratic system. It is the democratic system - or the democratic constitutional Parties taking advantage of the overall three-cornered fight in Malaya - that brought freedom to Malaya. That is the first fact that must be acknowledged. Secondly, the people of Malaya are not at the moment in favour of any armed totalitarian revolt. We have had enough of it and I am sure that 31st August will see some dramatic changes in the Federation. I was talking to a friend of mine, a colleague of mine who is now enjoying the hospitality of the British Government in one of the prison camps in Changi. He said - and I think he said it with absolute sincerity - "After 31st August let them pack up this armed revolution before they do great damage to the country." And we say this: Whoever does not declare where he stands after 31st August is a fool. Up to 31st August in the Federation, the question is: Do we have an independent Malaya? After the 31st the question is: What kind of independent Malaya do we make of it? And we say categorically - I say it for myself and for my Party - we believe in an independent, democratic, non-Communist Malaya.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Mr Speaker do convey to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the following message of greetings and good wishes to Members of the Federal Legislative Council :- "On the occasion of the attainment of Independence by the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth of Nations on Saturday, 31st August, 1957, the Singapore Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the people of Singapore, sends to the Federal Legislative Council and the people of the Federation of Malaya greetings and congratulations at this historic time - the emergence of a new nation, taking its rightful place among the freedom-loving nations of the world; and good wishes for the future in which the peoples and Governments of both our territories are inextricably bound, a future which therefore holds a challenge to good sense and tolerance which can only be successfully met by constant and unstinted goodwill, and by the closest of co-operation in realising the ardent desire of the peoples of both our territories; for it is the prime interest of both peoples to merge into a single political unit within which as one people with one outlook and purpose, all may share the joy and fruits of that happy state of Merdeka. We of Singapore look forward to that day when our strength will be added to your strength and our separation will be ended; and we can proudly go forward together to make our joint contribution in human welfare, economic prosperity and political strength to the great and distinctive service of Asia to the modern world.

Mr Speaker, may I request you, Sir, to declare whether the motion has been agreed to nemine contradicente?

There is no dissentient voice? I so declare, and I will take great pleasure in conveying to Mr Speaker of the Federal Legislative Council the resolution of this Assemby.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That at its rising today, the Assembly do stand adjourned to Wednesday, 11th September. 1957.

I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That at its rising today, the Assembly do stand adjourned to Wednesday 11th September, 1957.

Sir, I move, That this Assembly do now adjourn.

I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Assembly do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at 11.59 a.m. to 11th September, 1957.

Wednesday, 21st August, 1957 Speed limit in housing estates and residential areas; traffic "island" at Serangoon Garden Way; and zebra-crossing at 6th m.s. Yio Chu Kang Road

asked the Minister for Communications and Works whether he will, in the interest of safety to children and pedestrians,-

None of the matters on which the Honourable Member seeks information falls within the portfolio of the Minister for Communications and Works; but since the Honourable Member is unaware of the authorities to whom he should address himself the answers to his questions are:-