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BREACH OF PRIVILEGE - (Announcement by Mr Speaker) I have found the time to read through the Memorandum addressed to all Honourable Members by the Chairman of the Singapore Trade Unions Working Committee (Committee of Liaison Officers of Trade Unions) and dated the 25th June, 1962. Although I have as yet received no complaint by any Member of a breach of privilege, it is my duty as Speaker and guardian of the privileges of Honourable Members and of this House to sound a note of warning to all who wish to address Honourablc Members in any matter. It is well established that it is a breach of privilege for any person to do anything which tends to impair, impede or fetter the free judgment or actions of any Member in the services he gives to this Assembly. The Memorandum contains certain passages which may well be construed to be an attempt to influence by veiled threats Government Back Benchers in their free judgment and conduct in relation to the Referendum Bill and matters connected therewith. If that is so, then there has been a grave breach of privilege and the offenders, if found guilty, would be liable to heavy penalties laid down in the Legislative Assembly (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Ordinance, 1962.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 asked the Prime Minister (a) when it is anticipated that the proposed Constitution implementing Paper Command 33 of 1961 will be published: and (b) whether he will consider putting the issue of closer relations with the Federation to a referen dum after the publication of the proposed Constitution.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 Mr Speaker, Sir, the constitutional provisions to give effect to Paper Command 33 of 1961 will be published for implementation after the people have expressed their choice on the mode and manner of the inevitable reunification of Singapore with the Federation of Malaya. If the people's choice is for a merger with local autonomy for Singapore, particularly in respect of education and labour, then the implementation of Paper Command No. 33 of 1961 will be proceeded with. Sir, the suggestion of the Member for Anson appears to be reversing the or dinary chronological order of events, for in the unlikely event of the majority of the people supporting the complete merger proposals like Penang or Malacca, US has been proposed by the Barisan Sosialis, or like Johore as has been pro posed by the United People's Party, or like one of the States in the present Federation in complete and unconditional merger as proposed by the Workers' Party, the task would then be a relatively easy one of Simply including Singapore in the present framework of the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 Does the Prime Minister not consider that the publication of the draft Constitution spelling out the agreement would assist the people in understanding exactly what is intended and help them in making up their minds for the purpose of voting at the referendum poll?
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 With great respect, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would say that there is no surer way of adding confusion than to put in formal constitutional language the provision& which have been spelled out in ordinary simple language in the heads of agreement contained in Command Paper No 33 of 1961. I think the Member for Anson will remember that the constitutional arrangements that he arrived at in 1956 although uncompleted certainly made easier reading and easier understanding than the ultimate Order in Council which embodied nearly all the provisions to which he agreed in 1956 other than the articles or sections for the Internal Security Council.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 Would the Prime Minister not consider that in the light of experience and procedure in Australia and Switzerland among other countries, that the mode should be to call for a referendum after the proposals in precise form have had the approval of Parliament?
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 The Prime Minister has answered it.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTION - IMPLEMENTING PAPER COMMAND 33 OF 1961 I think it is necessary so far as I can that I should leave the Member for Anson under no misapprehension on this matter. I would say that it is the duty of any Government to ensure that things are presented simply and clearly to the people. As the Member for Anson himself knows, eminent legislators like the Member for Queenstown can make grave errors as to the meaning of merger like Penang and Malacca. The Member for Anson has had occasion to withdraw on behalf of the Member for Queenstown the proposals set out by the Member for Queenstown, all because he misconstrued the Federation Constitution to mean what he thought he could make it mean. I do not know about the comprehension range of the people of Australia or New Zealand on the English language, particularly for legal forms and precedents, but in our circumstances and in our clime, I suggest that we had better speak in simple, precise amid easy language - monosyllabic if possible - so that everybody can understand what is intended, and let the lawyers who are men trained for these jobs, legal draftsmen and parliamentary draftsmen to execute our intentions.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS asked the Minister for Labour whether Government will consider applying the Labour Ordinance to domestic servants.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am asked to reply. This matter has been receiving attention for a considerable time in view of the need to be sure that no unrealistic or impracticable measures are introduced whose immediate effect would be to deprive thousands of these workers of their livelihood and thereby further aggravate the present unemployment situation.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS Mr Speaker, Sir, as I understand the circumlocution, there is no intention of applying the Ordinance to domestic servants. But would the Par liamentary Secretary consider at least issuing regulations for guidance of good employer relations in respect of domestic servants so that the employers may have a model with which to apply.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS Come, come, Mr Marshall.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS Mr Speaker, Sir, in that respect, the Member for Anson can rest assured that though employers arc not obliged to give certain benefits to the employees under this Ordinance, but nevertheless when domestic employees are aggrieved because they are not given sufficient notice of termination of their service or -
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS Or otherwise maltreated.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS - maltreated they always consult and seek the assistance of the Labour Ministry. We have always assisted them in getting sufficient compensation or adequate notice of termination of their service.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS I had in mind rather the question of whether the Government would assist employers to recognise the limitation of hours and conditions of work, and if it does not wish to apply the provisions whether it would issue some regulations for guidance.
APPLICATION OF LABOUR ORDINANCE TO DOMESTIC SERVANTS Mr Speaker, Sir, domestic servants are different from factory workers. Therefore, it has to be left to the conscience of the employers to impose fair working conditions on their domestic servants. I hope that the Member for Anson will set the example.
INCOME TAX - (Penalty for late payments) asked the Minister for Finance (a) what is the policy of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in the exercise of his discretion in respect of the imposition of the 5 per cent penalty for late payments of income tax during the currency of the year of taxation; and (b) whether the Minister has any information as to the policy of the Comptroller of Income Tax of the Federation of Malaya in respect of similar statutory discretion.
INCOME TAX - (Penalty for late payments) Mr Speaker, Sir, late payment of income tax is not a problem to wage earners and salary earners who can arrange for monthly deductions to be made from their pay to the Income Tax Office, lt is a question lacing businessmen and capitalists. It is therefore refreshing to note that the Workers' Party is taking up the cudgels for the capitalists. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue has discretion to remit penalty or extend the date of payment where there are good reasons to do so. Normally a seven days' grace is given before the fine is sent and penalty imposed. Where a taxpayer is able to de monstrate that he cannot meet payment by the due date because of his absence From Malaya or sickness or other reasonable cause, remission of penalty may be granted on the individual :merits of the case. Deferred payment is also allowed in the case of a company which has commenced trading and instalments of payment are allowed on the second year of tax as a matter of practice. The amount received by way of penalty in 1961 was $285,000 in Singapore. the amount in the Federation was about $259,000. I have no exact information as to the policy of the Comptroller of Income Tax in the Federation of Malaya in the exercise of statutory discretion in respect of the imposition of penalty. However, to judge by the amount of penalty imposed in the two territories, I would say that one territory is not very much out of line with the other.
INCOME TAX - (Penalty for late payments) The Workers' Party is interested in justice for all. The workers or capitalists would inquire whether the Minister would consider remission of penalty where there is payment within the year of taxation. Where, for example, the taxpayer pays the 1962 tax during 1962.
INCOME TAX - (Penalty for late payments) Such cases would arise when new companies are being established. As I mentioned in my answer, instalments and deferred payments are allowed as a matter of practice.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted day].
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Will the Minister signify the recommendation of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara before the Committee proceeds?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I so signify.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Cmd. Paper 11 of 1962. The summary is at page 3. Head 49-
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Head 49, Ministry of Culture. There are amendments standing in the name of the Member for Tanglin and the Member for Havelock.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 49 be reduced by $10 in respect of new subhead "Temporary Staff for Television Service".* * The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Low Por Tuck. Sir, in the list of posts under Schedule A, I notice a very important omission: that whereas for the Broadcasting Division there are three posts for Programme Assistants in the Budget Estimates for 1962, looking after school programmes and such like educational items, here I see no provision for a similar post. Sir, we know that as an educational medium, television is far superior to radio broadcasting or the cinema. In fact, television will reach a larger number of young people in their homes,, whereas in the case of a cinema theatre, they must go to the theatre and buy tickets. In the case of television, children can just press certain buttons or turn certain knobs and there the film will be brought to their own homes. If, therefore, in a television programme the films shown are not suitable for our young people, then I am afraid the object of the Government in helping the young people will be defeated. In view of the fact that more than half of the people of Singapore are young people, I should think that posts similar to those provided for the Broadcasting Division should also be provided here. Very likely it may be due to an oversight because there are three phases, and this being only the first phase, maybe the thought was that it was not necessary to include it since there will be just a three-hour programme and only one hour will be for the news and the rest will be for films. But the selection of the films then becomes a very important thing unless the Government is going to invite the Programme Assistants in charge of Schools from the Broadcasting Division to assist also in the Television Section until such time as they are able to provide for separate posts for Programme Assistants in charge of Schools. Sir, I draw attention to this omission so that the Government will remedy it so as to prevent the wrong type of films from being televised with harmful effects to the young.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to know whether the Government would advertise all these posts in Schedule A, or whether in fact they are at present working.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) If it please you, Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to inquire whether Government would consider allocating one channel of television for use by an independent nonprofit authority to be appointed in accordance with statutory provisions so that the people of Singapore can have the opportunity of at least one channel where they can get honest news and views. We are conscious that the philosophy of the Government with reference to Radio Singapore is that they are perfectly entitled to utilise it for biased propaganda purposes and, in fact, for party purposes. All we ask at this juncture - recognising that it is too much to ask that an organisation of such vital importance to the nation for the dissemination of news and views should be in independent hands - we wish to inquire whether they will permit one channel, not depriving themselves of anything, but to permit one channel to be used and paid for by a non-profit independent authority appointed in accordance with provisions of a statute to that effect.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, I fully share the fears expressed by the Member for Tanglin that care should be taken to see that morally undesirable films are not transmitted over the television network.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) What about news?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I will come to that in due course. The Member for Anson must really learn to contain his impatience. Then there might be a better co-ordination between his tongue and his mind. Now, as I say, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by the Member for Tanglin. But I think he is technically wrong in saying that there has been an omission in respect of the establishment of a television station. Broadcasting is broadcasting, and television is completely a different activity. Also one must not he too hypnotised by words. We may call in the broadcasting service a grade of officers, programme assistants. In the television service they may be doing similar duties but under different names. May I refer the hon. Member for Tanglin to the grade of producers - 10 producers? An hon. Member: What do they produce? Lux Soap?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) They are Division I posts and none of them are programme assistants. Also there is the Chief Executive (Services), Grade F, and the Chief, Production Facilities and Films. In this hierarchy there will be officers whose responsibility it is to vet and arrange programmes to ensure certain standards of taste and decency. Now as for the Member for Havelock, these posts will be advertised when men are required. In fact, two months ago some lost have been advertised and the Public Service Commission have made selections for some of those and are making selections for others. The Member for Arson now wants an independent television service. How nice, Mr Speaker, Sir, if we can afford this sort of thing. He says the authority should be independent, non-profit making. But the trouble with this sort of venture is that when you have a fairly small number of receiving audience, there may well be a loss. It is not a question of making a profit, but avoiding losses. Our calculation is that the television service will make losses of several million dollars a year for quite some time before it recoups losses through advertising revenue licensing fees. So if the Member for Anson can let me know, in my capacity as Minister for Finance, not in my capacity as Acting Minister for Culture, any philanthropic organisation which is prepared to shoulder part of the losses that we are going to incur, then I shall be delighted to receive his suggestion.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe that the Four-Year Plan of the Government can only have this part concerning T.V. materialised. We also know that in carrying out the T.V. services, the Government is trying to help itself with political propaganda and therefore, at the present juncture, the Government has stepped up its speed in setting up a temporary station in Bukit Batok in order to facilitate the propaganda work of the P.A.P. Therefore, I hope that the Acting Minister for Culture will assure this House that the T.V. service will not be taken advantage of for the purpose of political propaganda of the P.A.P. The second point I would like to find out from the Acting Minister for Culture concerns this. As far as I know, there are two surveying teams, one from New Zealand and the other from Japan. Can the Minister concerned tell the House whether in, the future T.V. service which country will be responsible for the assistance given to the T.V. service in Singapore?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Is the Minister not aware that, in fact, on television it is possible to have several channels, and an additional channel to the one proposed would not entail proportionately equal expense, and would he be prepared to consider the question of renting a channel to an independent television body? Would Government consider bringing in a Bill to create such an independent television body?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, the only so-called independent television bodies who may be interested in running either the whole or part of the television service would be commercial companies who will want to make use of the facilities purely to make profits, if there is any question of renting out a studio room or television time to them, it is obvious that the only consideration between them and the Government would be just how much money they would make. I do not think that is the sort of independent television authority that the Member for Anson is thinking of. On the other hand, if he is thinking of something independent, like the British Broadcasting Corporation, then the question is: who is going to put out the money to pay for what can be fairly substantial losses in the first few years of operations? So until we get clear answers to these problems, I do not think it is worthwhile to pursue the subject here. The Member for Choa Chu Kang expresses fears that this would be used as unfair propaganda. He is entitled to his views, but we do not share them. So I do not intend to pursue this argument further. As for assistance from abroad, it is true that we have two missions; one is from Japan and that is concerned mainly with the technical aspects of setting up a television service - where should the site of the transmitting station be; how fast can it expand; and whether the cost could be covered up in the long run, and so on and so forth. The Australian experts came here to advise us on the details of setting up the service.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) New Zealand.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) New Zealand. The details of setting up the service were, e.g., what staff to recruit, what equipment to buy, how to tender for them, and so on and so forth. We shall, of course, get the benefit of expert assistance from whatever source is available. But we are at the same time training our own local personnel in these new techniques, and every year anything between half a dozen and a dozen technicians are being sent abroad for study and training.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I am sorry to pursue this, Mr Speaker, but it seems only to be partly understood and I do ask the indulgence of this House since it is a matter of some importance. The Minister did refer to the British Broadcasting Corporation. But, of course, he is aware, as we all are, that in the United Kingdom the potent influence of the radio and television is not in the hands of Government or of any political Party. It is, in fact, in the hands of a non-profit public body created by statute. I appreciate the Government in the circumstances it finds itself in, and I will elaborate no further their wish to maintain control of both radio and television. But could we not create an independent radio and television body by statute empowering it to rent at a rental paying the Government for a wavelength on the air and a channel in respect of television? And they could recoup themselves by power to take in advertisements. These have been tried out and have been found successful in other countries. As I have pointed out, the additional cost of a channel in television is not proportionate to the original cost of establishment, and it could easily be borne by the advertisements which would be attracted to this independent television channel. Would the Government consider, at least, and investigate the possibilities of the creation of such a body?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) From time to time we are indebted to Members of the Opposition for making valuable contributions to the problems that confront us. I am quite sure if the Member for Anson will elaborate on his plan and put it on a document, it will receive proper consideration. It is one thing just striking a bright idea across the sky, but it is another thing formulating it in a coherent, practical and feasible manner. I am quite sure the Member for Anson is capable of putting it on a document, both the structural consideration of creating an independent body and the running of one channel in the same studios. I do not know myself how these things are done, how the B.B.C. and the I.T.F. do it. I am told they have two completely different outfits - one set of studios run by the B.B.C. and another one run by the commercial T.V. outfit. These are problems which I do not think either the Minister for Finance (in his capacity as Minister for Finance or otherwise) or the Minister for Culture is in a position to speak with any authority, let alone myself; but no doubt the Member for Anson has spent some time before he makes the suggestion of just hiring out one channel, and if he will spell out all the implications, I give him the undertaking that it will receive proper consideration and a proper reply.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to express a hope that the Minister will give an answer to my question, i.e. that the future T.V. service should not be taken advantage of by the Government for political purposes. Next I would like to find out from the Minister concerned, from what countries will such facilities be obtained for the T.V. service?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Sir, I had said, in reply to his first question, that he is entitled to his own view, and we to ours. We deny that there is any improper use of radio facilities, and we deny that there will be any improper use of broadcasting facilities. So no assurance whatsoever is called for from us. As regards the second question, the main equipment for the transmitting station and the studios has been ordered by tender and the successful tender has been Marconi Company of Great Britain. Most of the equipment will be purchased from them, though part of the studio and outdoor service equipment will be ordered from Japan.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the assurance given to my query, may I beg leave to withdraw? Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 49 he reduced by $10 in respect of new subhead "Malaysia Grand Prix". Mr Speaker, Sir, from the First Supplementary Estimates at page 2 we find that about $114,000 was received. And it says that "the major portion of which was derived from the sale of tickets and advertisements." Sir, I would like to know from the Minister what are the actual figures for sales of tickets and for advertisements.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I do not have the figures or the details, but I will be sending for them in due course.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Does the Member wish for a vote? Mr Low Por Tuck indicated dissent. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 49 be reduced by $10 in respect of new subhead "Malaysia Week". Mr Speaker, Sir, during Malaysia Week I think everyone of us realised that posters put up by the Government were really not to boost Malaysia Week but rather that the Government was dirtying the buildings and places all over Singapore.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) What about unauthorised Barisan posters that clustered up all Singapore?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) The other point is that Government restricted other Parties and organisations from putting up posters during Malaysia Week. But the Government itself - of course, that definitely is the P.A.P. - put up posters, all over Singapore. That is merely a waste of public funds. I would like the Government to ensure that such waste should not be allowed in future.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I intend to give no such assurance, Mr Speaker, Sir,I do not know what are his objections. First, it could be an objection to' Malaysia. That is fair enough. He objects to Malaysia, we like Malaysia; and if we want to propagate the idea of Malaysia, we do it. That may be one objection, and I consider that as an invalid objection. Second, he may say that if the Government puts up posters, then other people can put up posters. Well, other people can put up posters. There are laws regulating the putting up of posters, and if they make their application and conform to the laws, then posters are put up. On the other hand, if they instigate school kids to put up posters at 3 o'clock in the morning, then they are merely looking for trouble. So that may be the second objection - that if we put up posters, and they should be putting up anti-posters, then I say that there is provision for that sort of thing. Now, the third objection could be that he does not want posters to be put up at all. There is great merit in that proposal. I mean, in a well ordered and rational society, appeals through propaganda such as posters, advertisements and so on will be completely unnecessary. In fact, no country in the world has reached the stage of being completely well ordered and perfectly rational. Therefore, these appeals to human reason, to human emotion perhaps, through various media of publicity are necessary.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the money spent by the Government on Malaysia Week was merely wasted. In the so-called "Malaysia Week", I believe you can say that a good amount of money was spent on a variety concert put up on the Padang before the City Council, but which attracted only a small crowd. Moreover, the purpose of this Malaysia Week was to mislead the people of the Borneo territories. Malaysia Week was a flop.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, Members of the House will remember that when the question of Malaysia was debated in this House, the Member for Anson moved an amendment supporting the principle of Malaysia, and I believe all Parties in this Chamber also supported Malaysia except the Barisan Sosialis who were opposed to the Tunku's concept of Malaysia because they wanted Malaysia to include Indonesia. Now, since the majority of Members in this House support the principle of Malaysia, and therefore they represent the majority of the people in Singapore, it is quite right that Malaysia Week should be celebrated, and if public funds were used to celebrate Malaysia Week, it was done to good purpose. I therefore see no reason why Members of the Barisan Sosialis should today say that it was a waste of money. It might be a waste of money in their eyes because in their concept of Malaysia Indonesia is not included.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) You see, some malicious lies, or falsehoods -
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Order. The Member for Queenstown should take control of himself and realise that he starts off straight away on the wrong foot by using unparliamentary words. He has withdrawn the word "lies". I accept that, but perhaps he can contain himself now and start off in' a cool, collected and calm manner. Dr Lee.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Mr Speaker, Sir, it is typical of the P.A.P. to distort and twist the Opposition stand, and this is a typical example. They say that we want Indonesia to be part of Malaysia. We have never said that, Sir. They tried to quote instances to show that our Secretary-General had spoken to some correspondents of Bintang Timor and things like that, but this has been denied time and again. In spite of that, just because the Government has control over the propaganda machinery, just because they have the radio, just because they have rediffusion, just because they have a very friendly Press -
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) You are getting jealous.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) - therefore they can keep on repeating and repeating the big falsehood. Everybody knows, Sir - I do not know whether "lie" could be used here, Sir; it does not apply to anybody in particular -that if a big lie is repeated long enough, some people will come to believe it. That is the whole strategy of the P.A.P. They want to keep on repeating a falsehood and they want to keep on repeating it so as to fit in with their own strategy of things. The present concept of Malaysia which makes Singapore a so-called partner and which gives Singapore unequal status is not the' form of Malaysia which we can accept. The present so-called Malaysia Week was a pure P.A.P. propaganda stunt in order to boost their merger proposals.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) Sir, I am very glad to know that: the Opposition do not like money spent on Malaysia Week. Obviously it hurts them.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) The Barisan Sosialis.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) The Barisan Sosialis. I do beg the pardon of the Member for Anson. The Barisan Opposition do not like it. So obviously what we did in Malaysia Week has hurt them, and I regret that we did not spend more money to hurt them more. Now, the Member for Queenstown said that it was untrue to say that leading members of the Barisan Sosialis had publicly stated that they wanted merger with Indonesia. There is one honourable Gentleman in this very House - An hon. Member: Will you quote instances?
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) We have quoted, Mr Speaker, Sir, not once but several times, not only in this House but also in the newspapers. There has been no answer. I can give the Member for Queenstown several newspaper cuttings or statements issued by the P.A.P. Political Bureau on this very subject. An hon. Member: We do not even read them.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) He reads them. He winces every time he reads them. He pretends that he does not read them.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I think the Minister has made his point. All this is completely irrelevant, of course. It started with a small irrelevancy which is becoming a major development. But I think the Minister has made his point. There will be another opportunity of discussing this very interesting subject.
FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY - ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR 1962 OF THE STATE OF - SINGAPORE (CMD. 11 of 1962) I do not want to start a debate on Malaysia, Mr Speaker. Sir,I am quite certain that you would not be allowing us to do that, even if we want to, but I do not know whether the Government Benches want a renewed debate on Malaysia and if they do want it by all means, initiate it and we are quite prepared to have a long debate up to midnight on Malaysia. An hon. Member: We have had one.