(In Malay): Honourable Members- Introduction This session of the Legislative Assembly is another step away from the past. The immediate future is clear and certain. During the next five years a Government elected by a decisive majority of the people will, through peaceful and constitutional means, take the social revolution a step further. It is a Government pledged to bring about a more just society. Economics and Finance The immediate task facing the Government is to place the finances of the country on a sound and healthy basis. The threatened deficit of $14 million for 1959 can be and will be wiped out and the Government has not shrunk from unpleasant measures to achieve financial stability. But such sacrifices as have been imposed by way of pay cuts have fallen on those most able to bear them. All development and special expenditure is being scrutinised and non-essential items will be scrapped. When every available economy measure has been examined, and if it is necessary further to close the gap between revenue and expenditure, the Government will then see how revenue increases may best be brought about. But it is important that all possible measures of economy be first applied before the public is called upon to bear the burden of any tax increases. As regards the general economic situation, the prime task is to build up a climate of confidence under which trade expansion and industrial growth can take place. Already there are many notable signs of such a build up. The Government has in the few brief weeks of office received numerous enquiries from foreign and local firms who want to set up new factories in Singapore. By and large the immediate prospects for economic expansion are good. The political stability which is a pre-requisite for expansion and which has been lacking for so long, has been achieved by the election with an overwhelming majority of a Government whose declared policies are clear-cut and unambiguous. Further, the Party in power enjoys the reputation of honouring its public pronouncements and the future conduct of the Government is therefore predictable. It has been their declared policy, clearly enunciated during the election campaign, to give private enterprise, both of local and overseas origin, all the encouragement and assistance they need so that they can set up new factories which will create more jobs for our growing population. The Government will not impose restrictions upon foreign investors on the transfer of profits and capital apart from normal exchange controls. Most important, the Government will place at the disposal of private industry, capital in the form of short term or long term loans for the expansion or establishment of enterprises. This will be one of the principal objectives of the Economic Development Board, which the Government will set up as a statutory body. But industrial development must take account of the economic policies of the Federation Government. There are substantial advantages to be gained both by the Federation and Singapore by having their economic policies integrated. The Government will approach the Federation Government for closer co-ordination in the industrial development programmes of the two territories. It is unlikely in any major industrial development programme that Singapore would be able to retain its 100% free port status. Wherever tariffs are to be erected, this must be done only when the advantage of increased employment and additional national income clearly outweigh any possible loss in international trade. It will also have to take into account the market in the Federation and the need for industrial development to keep pace with the Federation. The Government's guiding principle is industrial peace with justice. Justice implies ensuring their fair and just demands for a reasonable share of the fruits of their labour. At the same time we must remember that a chronic state of industrial unrest means the wrecking of our economy, and if our economy is damaged then workers, employers and the country as a whole will suffer. The best way of ensuring industrial peace is to encourage workers and employers to use the machinery of collective bargaining instead of taking direct industrial action. This implies strengthening workers' organisations so as to enhance their bargaining position vis-a-vis the employers. This means the emergence of a unified labour movement. In implementing its declared policy of a unified Trade Union movement, the Labour Ministry is consulting all the main streams of the labour movement to get the widest possible agreement on the structure of the new organisation to be set up. The Government will also cancel registration of splinter and yellow unions after due investigation. The Government is also proceeding with its declared plans to establish a permanent and independent Court of Labour, whose findings and awards would be binding and enforceable on both employers and employees. A unified Trade Union movement under the leadership of a Trade Union Congress with executive powers, and a Court of Labour with powers to enforce its awards, constitute the key to industrial peace. But in the first instance the channel for the solution of industrial disputes is direct negotiations between employer and Union, then conciliation through the Ministry of Labour and Law, and only finally the Court of Labour. In pursuance of its declared policy the Government is proceeding with plans to build a large centrally situated Trade Union House. This will take some time to complete. In the meantime a large building in the City area is being renovated for temporary use until the new one is erected. Plans for the relief of unemployment on a short term basis are being formulated, and the implementation of these plans will be pressed with the utmost vigour. The Government will concentrate immediately on projects employing the maximum number of unskilled or semi-skilled workers. Details are being worked out between the Ministries of Labour and Law and National Development. The Government is aware that certain statutory provisions for the protection of workers have been evaded. Strong action will be taken to enforce these provisions. The Government will enact legislation which, whilst recognising existing polygamous marriages, will make it an offence for persons to contract other than monogamous marriages in future. Such legislation will not extend to Muslim marriages. The Community and Recreation services provided by the Government are being reorganised. Medical and Health In the field of health the Government will implement a long-term plan in which the present emphasis on curative medicine will be modified and the emphasis put on the preventive aspects of disease. To secure this, the help of the people will be enlisted through carefully-planned mass health education campaigns which will stress the importance of proper nutrition, informed social hygiene, intelligent birth control and enlightened maternity and infant welfare schemes. The campaigns will indicate the positive contribution the people themselves can make. Immediately, the Government proposes to introduce a series of short-term measures of reform to eliminate obvious inadequacies existing in the health services. Service in out-patient departments and clinics will be improved. The congestion in Government hospitals' out-patients departments will be relieved by extension and a re-organisation of the services by integrating the existing clinic services provided by the Government Medical Department and the City Council. The Government will give the highest priority to treating tuberculosis, the major health problem facing the community. After consultation with the experts, a scheme for compulsory B.C.G. vaccination programme for school children will be launched early next year. In conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Law, it is proposed to draw up a list of workers in occupations where there is a risk of contracting the disease, and to provide for these workers periodic X-ray examination and other necessary preventive measures. There will be improved facilities for staff training and a special emphasis will be laid upon kindness, courtesy and consideration to patients and the public. These qualities and professional efficiency will be taken into consideration when making promotions. In future non-English educated nurses and midwives will also be allowed entry into the service. National Development The first task of the Ministry of National Development is to re-organise the various subordinate organs under the Ministry to eliminate duplication of functions and wasteful expenditure and to step up operational efficiency. Plans for the absorption of the City Council departments in the Government are being proceeded with. One of the gravest and most pressing problems facing the Government of Singapore today is housing. Since 1947, when it first acted as the Government's Housing Authority, the Singapore Improvement Trust has constructed a total of only 23,000 housing units. The average rate of construction is about 2,000 units per year, and most of these are let out at rates quite beyond the means of people in the lower income brackets. The Government is pledged to make an all-out effort to ease the housing problem. The Government will increase the annual output of houses built by the Singapore Improvement Trust. The Government will ensure that the welfare and interests of the rural dwellers are adequately looked after. To this end a survey is being prepared to provide standpipes for, and bring electricity to, the rural areas. Rural people will also be encouraged to build kampong roads and assist in carrying out kampong drainage schemes. The building materials in all instances will be provided by Government. The Government will make every effort to bring about increased production in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. A number of schemes, based on detailed on-the-spot surveys and scientific studies, have been prepared and are now undergoing scrutiny, prior to implementation. Education The Government's policy on Education is based on three main principles. Firstly, acceptance of the 1955 All-Party Committee Report on Chinese Education of the Singapore Legislative Assembly. This provides for equal treatment for the four streams of education in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Secondly, acceptance of Malay as the national language. The Government will encourage the learning of Malay by non-Malays, at the same time revitalising Malay education itself. Thirdly, the present curriculum will be revised so that emphasis will be on practical subjects such as mathematics and science, to meet the needs of an industrialized society and on the study of languages of our country. A recent survey revealed that maximum use has not been made of present school buildings and available staff, both administrative and teaching. In the 113 Government English Primary schools there are more than 450 classrooms available but not used. Furthermore, 26 Primary schools (14 in Rural areas and 12 in the City) are running one session only instead of the usual two. By 1960 when a two-session period is introduced, another 400 classrooms will be available for pupils. There is no question at all that with proper organisation of all available facilities, the Government can do more to meet the great demand for education and we shall do so from 1960 onwards. Automatic promotion in primary classes will cease. With proper annual examinations as a check both of the teachers' proficiency and the pupils' effort the fear of failing in the common entrance examination for secondary schools will be diminished. In order to provide for more study time in schools for the study of languages, mathematics and science, all elementary and secondary schools will be required to start a six-day week from the third term of this year, i.e. 31st August for Malay schools and 7th September for English, Chinese and Tamil schools. Work is going apace in the revision of text-books based on common content and Malayan loyalty. As from 1960 all secondary schools, both Government and aided, will be required to be on two-session if the number of pupils warrant it. With secondary schools on a two-session basis, consideration will be given to convert some of these schools into vocational and technical schools at secondary level. Transitional arrangements for equipment and staff will be worked out. Adult Education The Government has decided to launch a mass literacy and education campaign. The large number of overage pupils who cannot find places in schools and the even larger number of adults who did not receive any education at all, makes this an urgent and vital work of the Education Ministry. It is the intention of the Government to reorganise and expand the work now carried out by voluntary bodies like the Singapore Adult Education Council. It is intended to put this into effect from next year, so that all pupils will be provided with proper syllabuses and receive training under qualified instructors. Nanyang University The Report of the Prescott Commission on the Nanyang University will be published soon. The Government will then discuss the future of Nanyang University and its graduates with the responsible Chinese Educational bodies. The Government will encourage the closest co-operation between the Nanyang University and the University of Malaya, as it is in the interest of Singapore that the two institutions of higher learning work in close harmony. Cultural The political and economic revolution which we have initiated must be sustained and reinforced by a cultural revolution as well. The Government has set up a new ministry - the Ministry of Culture. Upon it will fall the dual responsibility of informing and educating the public. Little was done under colonial rule to establish a sense of national identity among the various races in Malaya. It now falls upon this Government to instil in our people of all races the will to be a nation. This means stimulation of existing languages and cultures, with emphasis on Malay as the national language. It will help foster the growth of a Malayan culture which while drawing sustenance from the communal cultures now flourishing in Malaya will nevertheless develop its own distinctive characteristics. With this end in view the programmes in Radio Singapore will be more positive and creative. A great deal more will be done than has been done in the past to break down the barriers between the four language programmes. Not only will there be more pooling of programmes between the different language sections of Radio Singapore, but each section will also become ambassadors of a national rather than communal culture. In addition the fullest use will be made of civic and cultural associations to further the work of creating a Malayan outlook. In every aspect of its work the Ministry of Culture will seek the fullest co-operation and participation of the people. In the final analysis, it is the people and not Ministries which develop culture. The National Library and Museum will be called upon to make their contributions to the development of a Malayan consciousness. In the field of library development, a great deal more will be done to meet the needs of the non-English reading public. Home Affairs The future of Singapore lies ultimately in re-uniting with the Federation of Malaya as a state in an independent country. It is the Government's intention during its term of office to create and bring about conditions favourable to an early re-unification with the Federation. The Government will take firm action to prevent any irresponsible activities by individuals or organisations to negate this paramount interest of the people of Singapore and Malaya. The Government will always consider the views of the Federation Government. In the same way, the Government hopes the Federation Government will understand the hopes and aspirations of the people of Singapore, and the ways in which this Government seeks to fulfil them. The basic political situation in Malaya has not changed today. The shooting war waged by the Federation Government and the Malayan Communist Party enters the eleventh year. This Government has stated its position clearly on subversion. "Subversion" is any political activity designed to further the aims and interests not of our own people but of foreign powers. By foreign powers this Government means not just Russia and China, but also America and Formosa, and the Western bloc. The Government will fight and counter subversion be it from the Right or from the Left. The P.A.P. Government stands for an independent, democratic, non-Communist, socialist Malaya. It cannot be pressured into deviating from this stand. In the past the Police Force has been regarded as an instrument of Colonial rulers and as a thing apart from the people. With the attainment of internal self-government there is a significant change in the role of the Police. It will no longer be an instrument to further the aims of a Colonial regime. In a self-governing country the role of the police will be to protect the life and property of the people, to maintain peace and order and to protect the people's elected Government from being undermined and subverted from within and without. It is a primary duty of this Government to establish mutual confidence and respect between the people and the police. Despite the introduction of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance, 1958, and the subsequent detention of more than 200 gangsters last October, it would appear that Secret Society activities have yet to be crushed. In addition to preventive detention, other measures will be necessary to combat crimes committed by the secret societies. In considering the entry of immigrants, the Government will constantly bear in mind the political and economic interests of the country. It welcomes technicians, scientists and industrialists to Singapore, but will discourage those who come here to compete for jobs with our citizens and thus aggravate the unemployment situation. Singapore's immigration policy must be in alignment with the Federation's, for freedom of movement across the causeway is of mutual interest to the people in both territories. Under the new constitution, external defence is the sole responsibility of the United Kingdom Government. It is only appropriate therefore that the United Kingdom Government should bear the cost of all local forces under the operational command of the British Services. The new Government will therefore take up this question with the United Kingdom Commissioner. Cultural and Trade Relations The Government is aware that Singapore is the focal point of South-East Asia by virtue of its geographical position and its status in the commercial and maritime world. It is, therefore, important that it should strengthen relations with its South-East Asian neighbours, in particular the Republic of Indonesia, which, next to the Federation of Malaya, is its closest neighbour. Conclusion These are the first steps of this Government on the road towards an egalitarian society. If the past was renowned for the pomp and resplendence of the privileged few who constituted the ruling class, let the future be notable for the gracious manner in which these privileges are returned to the people. The fact that some of the outward forms and trappings of the past have remained should not blind us to the very great changes in the content and purpose of the new Government. It is the intention of the Government to keep that part of the past which helps the future. And now a personal note: I was the last of the British Governors of Singapore. It is not as Governor and Commander-in-Chief that I deliver this address on behalf of the first elected Government of the people of Singapore. Because of the need to hand over the reins of the administration swiftly and smoothly, Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom had laid down that I should be the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara. It is my intention to accomplish this within the five months that are left of my office. Then I shall hand over my duties and the honour of this high office to a Malayan-born who will be more suited to fulfil the role of constitutional Head of State in a society where symbols for national identification and solidarity can play so valuable a part in nation building. At the conclusion of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara's Speech, Mr Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant at Arms, the Clerk, the Clerk-Assistant and the Second Clerk-Assistant, escorted His Excellency out of the Chamber, and the Assembly adjourned without question put, pursuant to the Standing Order. Adjourned accordingly at 11.27 a.m.