(In Malay): Hon. Members of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore - NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY Singapore scene is now part of the Malaysian landscape On the 16th of September this year, about ten weeks ago, we entered a new chapter in the history of our people. On that day we achieved our independence in Malaysia. It was a momentous and irreversible event in our history. But partly because so many other things were happening at the same time, the full significance of the changes that have taken place was not fully apparent. It is just as well if we were to pause a while and recount the changes that have taken place and the new power structure within Malaysia. Singapore was in the midst of her general elections at the time. A few weeks just before the 31st of August, it seemed as though Malaysia might be postponed indefinitely. Indeed there was uncertainty right up to the 29th of August when the new date, 16th September, was announced, subject, it would appear, to a favourable finding by the U.N. Secretary-General's Assessment Report. It was only on the 14th of September that the favourable assessment was reported and the date, 16th September, became an absolute certainty. With reunification and independence, also came "confrontation". Our first lesson in national unity had to be learnt quickly. For the new nation to survive external pressures and threats, it was imperative that loyalty to the new nation must transcend all other interests. The people of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore can be proud that the past ten weeks have seen a growing sense of national purpose uniting us all in Malaysia and this in spite of the immediate discomfort of military and economic pressure inflicted on the borders of Sarawak and on Singapore. The Short Term In the short term the elaborate constitutional framework of checks and safeguards of local autonomy for Singapore can prevent any drop in standards of economic prosperity, of public services, of social amenities, educational facilities and public housing, whatever happens in the rest of Malaysia. But in the long run we must all realise that prosperity or poverty is indivisible between member states of a nation, just as it is indivisible between people in a member state. Our destiny is irrevocably intertwined with that of the rest of Malaysia. Powers over defence, security and foreign affairs are all vested in our Central Government of Malaysia. On 1st September, 1962, we in Singapore decided to place our future together with Malaya. The centre of gravity of political power is the Central Government of Malaysia. It is policy settled by a Government which commands a majority of the Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur that will decide our fate and the fate of the rest of Malaysia. For instance, whether "confrontation" at present confined to a trade boycott of Singapore and Penang, and military pressure along the borders of Sarawak is contained and held, and slowly resolved, depends upon the policy settled by the Central Government, not that of any member State Government. The Long Term An even more important reason why in the long run it is the Government of Malaysia that will settle the shape of things to come, is that overall financial and fiscal powers are vested in the Central Government. And it is the financial and fiscal policies of a nation that decide the structure of its society. Whether we are to move towards a more just and equal society depends primarily upon how to use the powers of taxation and expenditure to bring about a redistribution of opportunity and ultimately of wealth amongst our people. Even before merger the capacity of the Singapore Government to bring about this change by financial and fiscal policy was conscribed by the actual economic limitations of Singapore's economy, one so intimately linked with that of the Federation that any violent disparity in the policies of the two Governments would have brought unpleasant consequences for both, though more unpleasant for Singapore than for the Federation. For instance, had the differentials in income tax rates between Singapore and the Federation been very much greater than the five per cent at the top bracket between 55 per cent in Singapore and 50 per cent in Malaya, there would have been an inevitable movement of wealth and wealthy men from Singapore to the Federation. Now the Central Government controls the financial and fiscal policies over the whole of Malaysia, as indeed it must be if Malaysia is to make sense as a nation. Indeed it is open to the Central Government, if it were ill-advised enough so to do, to reverse some of the more progressive and forward-looking policies which have already been embodied into our income tax and revenue laws. For instance, we have a higher differential for income tax of 55 per cent on incomes above $100,000 per annum, instead of 50 per cent as in the Federation, and we have separate assessment for earned incomes of married women; and income tax concession for owner-occupied houses is limited to a maximum annual value of $3,000 instead of being without limit as in Malaya, and so on. In other words, it means that in the long run the order of our society will be determined by the Central Government. So any political movement that seeks to bring changes in our society must necessarily have pan-Malaysian support. Against the Broader Canvas Within a nation success or failure is all-embracing. Singapore's problems of economic progress and social revolution must therefore be seen against the broader canvas of Malaysia. No political movement can be effective if it is localised and isolated either to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh or to any of the other towns in Malaysia. If Singapore is to make its full contribution to the development of a more prosperous Malaysia in which wealth and prosperity are more evenly shared amongst the people whether in the urban or in the rural areas, regardless of race, religion or culture, then she must play her full part in the Malaysian political milieu. The Next Five Years For the immediate present, we can take satisfaction in the fact that the new constitutional framework has already ensured stability and certainty for the next five years. On the industrial front with the fall in influence of the Communist united front movement in the trade unions, there has been increased demand for factory sites in Jurong, and for the smaller industrial estates of Tanglin Halt, Redhill, Bendemeer and Kampong Ampat. In fact, all the 138 sites in the four smaller industrial estates covering 72 acres have been taken up. In Jurong 47 sites covering an area of 380 acres have been allocated whilst applications for another 35 sites covering a total of 329 acres are now being negotiated. The confidence and optimism, reflected in the prices of immovable properties and the investment applications for industrial sites for factory buildings and machinery, are well founded, based as they are on the political stability and security of Malaysia and the economic possibilities of a common market of 10 million people in a region with the highest standard of living in South Asia. Indeed but for Indonesia's "confrontation" it would he fair to say that within four years Singapore's first phase of the Jurong industrial site would have got off to a splendid start. But even in spite of indefinite continuance of confrontation, there is every prospect of our making up the eight per cent loss on our national income caused by confrontation within two years by alternative fields of economic expansion. The Changed Position of the Singapore Government and the Singapore Assembly Members will have noticed on page 38 of the Estimates for next year's expenditure that a whole series of items relating to Federal expenditure has gone over into the Federal budget. Certain major spheres of government activity have now gone over to the Central Government. In political terms it means that there will be more coherent development of all those services which are in their very nature Pan-Malaysian, like civil aviation, meteorological services, transport, telecommunications, posts, judicial services, audit, immigration and passports, defence, police and prisons. This change in the power structure may temporarily give a sense of void in this Assembly. Some of the stirring issues which have agitated Singapore over the last eighteen years will no longer excite this Chamber or the island. Independence is an accomplished fact. However, subversive activity by anti-national Communist elements within independent Malaysia is a continuing problem that will have to be met and faced. But the ceaseless attack against the police and other organs of Government which checkmate the Communist conspiracy will now be carried over to Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur. However, there is one danger that we must constantly bear in mind. Although Members do not have the constitutional obligation to concern ourselves in this Chamber with Communist united front activity and the threat it poses to the national security of Malaysia, the process nevertheless goes relentlessly on. It would be fatal if we believed that with the powers now vested in Kuala Lumpur we in Singapore can opt out from this struggle. It is tempting to believe that the strength of the rural base of the Central Government can enable all these problems to be resolved by straightforward security actions, either by disruption of the Communist united front organisations or by neutralisation of their principal activists. But the long-term solution does not lie merely in negating the open manifestations of Communist strength and organisation. The only conclusive solution is to win the constant battle for hearts and minds - a battle that can only he won by intelligent political, economic and social policies. To close our eyes to the real problem, the economic and social injustices of our society, and the challenge which Communist doctrines exploiting these injustices can mount, is to run the danger of losing the battle by default. The problems that have beset us for the last decade and given Singapore its reputation as a highly volatile, riotous city, they all remain. Independence, with merger and Malaysia, have removed a number of the basic causes of discontent. But the other latent social causes of discontent and dissatisfaction remain. They must be resolved. Poverty in the midst of plenty, unemployment in the face of affluence, the rising expectations of a better life which universal education has aroused amongst our younger people, these are problems which require our constant effort before things will improve permanently. To close our eyes to these basic problems and to leave the Central Government to deal with the open manifestations of discontent which Communist activists exploit would be to lose the long-term battle. If democratic values of a tolerant society are to survive in Malaysia, then we in Singapore must continue to play our part to counter the Communist challenge by meeting them in the open argument and even more so by enlightened social and economic policies. For it is these policies which will establish in every one's mind the growing conviction that a more just and equal society can be achieved by a democratic State, provided that the people have an understanding of the practical alternatives open to them. THE NEXT STAGE OF THE SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN SINGAPORE Education Whilst the power of fixing the level of taxation has shifted to Kuala Lumpur, the tax collection remains with Singapore. So also the bulk of the power of expenditure remains with Singapore. Members will have noticed that next year's estimates of expenditure, despite the absence of all Federal items from it, still show a sum of nearly $350 million or about three-quarters of the total revenue to be raised in Singapore. How this revenue is spent, is within the competence of this Assembly and the Government. Within the limitations of this revenue we can bring about the next stage of the social revolution in Singapore. We can decide for ourselves the details of how this money is to be spent and how the benefits of this expenditure are to be spread more equally amongst our people. Two big items overwhelm all others. Education amounts to about a third of the budget, and health amounts to nearly a fourth. It is as it should be, in that order. No single factor is more likely to bring about a more fair and just society than equal opportunities for education for all. The ideal to which all nations in the world aspire is the utilisation of all its human resources to its maximum. Free education from kindergarten to university is the ideal that will help bring this about. We have achieved free universal education for six years in primary schools. Before "confrontation" began, it had looked possible to introduce free secondary education within two years. In fact, it was the hope of my Government to introduce free secondary education for 1964. But with the loss of 8 per cent of our national income as a result of the stoppage of trade with Indonesia, we will have to postpone it to a later date, probably 1966. But in the meantime, the number of bursaries and scholarships for secondary education will be increased four-fold to assist bright children of poor families to finish secondary schools. Scholarships and bursaries for higher education abroad, and in the University of Singapore, Nanyang University, the Polytechnic and Ngee Ann College will also be increased. It is the Government's policy to give equal treatment for the four language streams. Parents will continue to have a free choice of the language in which they wish their children to be educated. It is the intention of the Government to improve the standard of teaching of a second and even third language in all schools. The teaching of Malay in all schools will be intensified. The quality of teaching of Chinese in English medium schools, as well as the quality of teaching of English in Chinese and Malay schools will be raised. The integration of schools using different language media of instruction introduced by the Government in the last few years will be continued and, indeed, brought one stage further. Forward planning for teacher training and school buildings is ahead or keeping pace with actual needs. Twenty-six new schools, 10 primary and 16 secondary, are being built and 18 will be opened during 1964. Extensions to the Teachers' Training College are also being made. The absence of adequate provision to meet the educational and recreational requirements of the rural population has been exploited by the pro-Communist organisations to spread their anti-national propaganda under cover of "educational activities". The Government will therefore expand the programme of the Adult Education movement to meet these requirements. One of the problems which beset Chinese education is the use the Communists make of Chinese educational issues as a cover for their penetration of schools amongst some students and even teachers. They have in the past caused a great deal of agitation and unrest in Chinese schools, including the examination boycott in November 1961. From the middle schools a hard-core group of Communist student elements have penetrated Nanyang University. As in the case of Chinese Middle schools in 1955 and 1956, discipline is not now under the control of the University teaching staff. Student committees working in conjunction with graduates, administration staff in the University and Board of Students Welfare are in de facto charge of discipline, a position from which this militant Communist minority eliminate all student groups who do not accept their leadership. It is essential that there should be confidence and good faith between the Central Government and the State Government in the handling of the security problem in all educational institutions, including the incipient problem in the University of Singapore. It is when the Central Government does not doubt that the Singapore Government has no intention of hindering the Central Government from discharging its paramount duty of ensuring that no Communist activity is subverting the nation in educational institutions that we can exercise our autonomy in education to the best advantage. Health Next to education, the largest expenditure is on health. Nowhere in South Asia are there clinical and hospital care for the sick of such dimensions and standards. Thirty-two Government clinics handling between over 3.5 million attendances for this year and eleven existing Government hospitals with 6,800 beds for a population of 1.8 million have put a great strain on the medical services. The shortage in doctors is being slowly overcome, but the extension of Government clinics and health facilities has been at a higher rate than the recruitment of new doctors. Administrative efficiency and tightening of "referrals" from these clinics to the hospitals are essential if the strain on the medical staff is to be checked. However, it is still necessary to have one other general hospital. The Thomson Road Hospital will become the second general hospital next year. School dental clinics now a part of new school buildings provide an ever increasing and valuable service to school children under the care of dental nurses. Plans are being finalised to provide family planning information and facilities at all maternity and child welfare clinics in Singapore. On the Public Health side, the Ministry is planning a reorganisation of the City Cleansing services. A gradual rundown of transport equipment, expansion of urban and housing areas and the corresponding huge increase in the number of hawkers, inadequate methods of supervision resulting in lack of discipline in the work force, complicated by secret society elements in their midst, have brought about an increase in rubbish, flies and mosquitoes. All this can and will be put right. Reorganisation can succeed once these factors have been dealt with. Housing The third largest item of expenditure from public funds will be on housing. By the end of 1964 the Housing and Development Board will have achieved the target of 52,000 units within four years of its commencing operations. Public housing at the rate of 12,000 units per annum or 45 minutes per unit will continue. Next year will see the beginning of the re-building of the old city of Singapore. A team of United Nations experts have given their report which is now under close study and consideration for implementation. An Urban Redevelopment Authority will be set up to control and co-ordinate public and private development. Meanwhile the demolition of Outram Prison is proceeding to provide the first decanting area as urban renewal commences in the eastern and western sectors of the central city. One difficulty is that World Bank loans are not available for expenditure on housing and urban renewal, and so all loans will have to be raised internally within Singapore or externally from commercial sources and in part financed from our accumulated surplus. Because of the shortage of land, there are land reclamation schemes. At Bedok, about 40 odd acres have already been reclaimed. The reclamation belt will eventually stretch a half mile into the sea from Bedok along the coast to Nicoll Highway. This together with some 200 acres of land to be reclaimed in Kallang Basin will provide enough land for both public and private building within the next five years. The Toa Payoh new town project where 200,000 people will be housed in some 40,000 units will be well advanced by the end of the five years. As the land value in the central part of the city is very much higher than that in Queenstown or Aljunied, it is not possible to let out flats at that rate. For example, Selegie House, where the land value is $10 per square foot as against 50 cents per square foot at Queenstown, flats have to be let out at the rate of $30 for a one-room unit, $60 for a two-room unit, and $90 for a three-room unit. A similar problem will arise with reference to houses. In the coming year, the Housing and Development Board will be working out plans for the sale of low-cost housing flats on instalment plan. After an initial down payment, rents would cover the purchase of the flats over a period of 10-15 years. All in all, it is expected that some $300-400 million will go into public housing over the next five years. Public Utilities With the massive housing programme and progress in industrialisation, electrical consumption increased throughout 1963. The main source of the supplies which will be required with future expansion will be the Pasir Panjang `B' Power Station. Construction progress has been satisfactory. The new Power Station will be delivering energy into the new 66,000 volt distribution system by early 1965. The new Station will have a capacity of 120 megawatts and with further plans for extension is double the capacity of this new Power Station. During the past year the Public Utilities Board laid 18 miles of gas supply mains to connect up 12,400 consumers bringing the total to 42,500 consumers. In addition, new trunk mains have been laid at the cost of $1.58 million. Progress has been made in implementing the Scudai River Scheme during the year. This scheme will provide an initial output from 15 to 30 million gallons a day by June 1964. Meanwhile an appraisal team from the World Bank has been out here to carry out on-the-spot investigations on the Johore River project and report to the Bank. A firm of consultants has been appointed. Soil investigation is nearing completion and planning and design work is in the hands of the consultants. Tenders for the supply and erection of the treatment plant are expected to be called early next year while those for the supply and/or laying of the main pipe and the manufacture of the pumping plant will follow shortly after that. Welfare Social welfare benefits for unemployment and sickness relief will continue. Homes for the aged, boys' hostels, approved schools, institution for girls, welfare home for Muslim women and creches will be gradually expanded. Two creches in the MacPherson Road area, new and up to date junior approved school for boys, two new boys' hostels are being planned, and some are already under construction. The network of community centres will spread throughout the whole island so that no community in the city and no kampong in the rural areas will be without a community centre within comfortable travelling distance. The organisation of the People's Association has expanded somewhat too rapidly in order to keep pace with the expansion of activities. There will now be a period of re-organisation and re-training to improve the scope of activities in these centres. It is also planned to expand the Work Brigade which acts as a useful means of utilising the energy of youth between the time they leave school and when they obtain their first employment. The permanent staff of the Work Brigade will be increased to provide a permanent framework of trained men and women able to handle an increasing intake and turnover of young recruits, who will spend anywhere between six and 18 months in the Brigade before getting employment. The Brigade at present 2,000-strong will be doubled within two years and trebled within four years. Kampong and Rural Development The next five years will see the extension of all water and electricity services to all the present kampongs in Singapore where there are more than 200 houses in a square mile. A new policy was implemented over a year ago in which the cost of installation is considered feasible if it can be recovered by payment of services over a period of seven or eight years, instead of five years as formerly. It means that we must be prepared to provide these amenities as a public service and not necessarily as a profit-making proposition. The main lanes in the vast network of rural tracks will be improved for agricultural transportation by laterite surfacing and open drains. All the principal arterial tracks will be tarred. Labour Singapore's economic expansion and prosperity depends upon an intelligent labour policy which will ensure the building up of a healthy non-Communist trade union movement. One of the biggest contributing factors to instability in the past decade has been the absence of such a movement. Unintelligent labour policies aimed at keeping the working population docile had only opened the road for militant action led or inspired by Communists exploiting the genuine grievances of workers. The last four years saw the beginning of a coherent policy of industrial peace with justice. Both employers and workers were educated on the need for mutual accommodation for mutual survival. Large fields of industrial discontent and unrest had been wiped out by wage agreements, legislation and arbitration in the Industrial Arbitration Court. The policy of industrial peace with justice is fundamental if we are to succeed in our plans. Without industrial peace there will be no economic expansion, leaving everybody worse off. And without justice and fair play to the workers whose efforts help employers to make profit on their capital, there can he no long-term industrial peace. For the first time in the history of the labour movement, the workers have become educated on their rights and, equally important, their responsibilities. Irresponsible strike action, and worse, strike action for political purposes, workers have found to their cost to he damaging not only to employers hut also to themselves. Communist influence has temporarily receded. On the other hand, for the first time in Singapore, a vigorous non-Communist leadership is emerging from the unions as militant and as active as the Communists, but not using and exploiting the trade union movement for direct political objectives. Employers have also come to realise the wisdom of a fair wage policy to ensure stability. The stage is now set where with an intelligent policy on the part of employers it is possible to ensure that the non-Communist trade union movement strengthens as the Communists are isolated and prevented from re-establishing influence and control over the workers. In all this, the Industrial Arbitration Court has played, and will Continue to play, an important role in holding the scales between competing demands of capital out for maximum profit and workers out for maximum wages and fringe benefits. The next five years will be a period of consolidation. A Trade Union Bill to improve the laws regulating trade unions will be introduced. There will be no more omnibus unions of the Shop and Factory Workers type in which a few Communist activists could manipulate thousands of workers ranging from clerks and salesgirls to bus drivers and motor mechanics. Two important factors in preventing trade unions from being exploited by Communist and other subversive elements are, first, a widespread literacy among workers, and second, education of trade union leaders in trade union organisation, administration, collective bargaining and democratic leadership. As to the first, the Government will be arranging through the National Trade Unions Congress and the Adult Education Board comprehensive workers' education programmes in the four language streams. As to the second, the Government has sought and obtained the assistance of the International Labour Organisation to expand the research and training facilities for trade unionists offered by the Labour Research Unit. What is most important is for both workers, trade union leaders and employers to realise their joint responsibility with the Government to ensure Singapore's economic growth without which there can be no social progress. Whatever the trade union practices and precedents in established and developed countries, a developing country requires a forward-looking approach both by employers and organised workers. Restrictive practices on either side must not be allowed. The Government proposes to set up a Labour Advisory Council consisting of Labour Ministry officials, management representatives and trade union representatives to advise the Government on all matters relating to improved industrial relations, employees' welfare, and industrial training related to industrial economic matters. Marine and Port Development Singapore for the fourth year in succession has maintained its position as the fifth largest port in the world, the second largest in the Commonwealth and the busiest one in the Far East. The Singapore Harbour Board has plans to provide another four deep-water berths at the East Lagoon, including ancillary buildings and equipment and also to develop the Telok Ayer Basin with the provision of a finger pier for coastal vessels. Both these projects are estimated to cost $50 million. With the introduction of a Common Market in Malaysia, it is envisaged that in future multi-storeyed warehouses at the West Wharf and the East Lagoon will have to be constructed in order to provide greater warehousing facilities. The Board has already approved a $10 million housing scheme for its employees. Work has begun on this project and when it is completed within the next twelve months, the Board would have housed approximately 60 per cent of its 10,000 employees. The harbour at Jurong is well under way. The whole project is expected to be completed by the end of 1964. The harbour will have a total length of wharves of 9,000 feet for ocean-going vessels and 3,000 feet for coastal vessels. Culture The last four and a half years saw a stimulation of local cultural troupes, folk dancing, music, painting and literary works. The Ministry of Culture has now become a part of the established framework of the Government to encourage the creative and artistic expression of the people. It also more efficiently disseminates news, information and provides entertainment. This year has seen the rapid growth of television. Starting with a pilot service in February, it has now established a two-channel programme. Television will provide a wide range of entertainment and education. But more important, with judicious programming, it can nurture Malaysian consciousness and national unity so essential for the survival and success of Malaysia. Rate of economic growth determines success or failure Finally, we must always remember that every social service - education, health, housing, social welfare, community centres, television, sickness and unemployment relief, Work Brigade, and all our plans for more social benefits - all this depends on increasing our national income. A more equal distribution of the benefits of our society without increasing the sum total to be shared will not make us a developed society. Only sustained economic growth can make this possible. It is not often understood in newly independent countries that none of the good things in life are free, that whilst some members of the community may get some things free, the community as a whole must pay for every single item given out free or subsidised. It is all too easy in a system of one man one vote to promise the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and election time becomes an auction time in which political Parties try to outbid one another in giving away the national inheritance free of charge. Singapore has reason to be grateful to the majority of its population for being sufficiently realistic and practical to understand the economic implications of specious promises. Our success in building a prosperous, affluent and equal society depends on economic growth to pay for the services we want and their expansion. It means we must succeed in our plans for industrialisation. Jurong must succeed together with all the minor industrial estates in Redhill, Tanglin Halt, Bendemeer, Kampong Ampat, and along Bukit Timah Road. We have the basis for success: confidence locally and abroad in our political stability and security, a common market of ten million and an able and industrious people. All that is required is continued understanding of the overriding objectives by workers, employers, and the public. Industrial expansion requires that employer-employee relations be stable. To be stable the terms must be fair. In case of disagreement the Government must hold the balance to ensure that investors are not broken by irresponsible trade unionism, nor workers exploited and not paid their just due because of weak trade unions. Conclusion The main objectives of economic and social policies were all mapped out four and a half years ago when the present Government first took office. The problems are the same - to create more equal opportunities for all and ensure rewards to everyone according to their contribution to society. We have learnt from the experiences of the last four years. The next few years will be a period of consolidation where the benefit of these experiences can help bring about tighter organisation and more efficient administration. In spite of the setback in the trading sector because of Indonesia's trade boycott we have sufficient reserves accumulated over the last four years to see us through to industrial success and prosperity. But there must be stability, discipline and combined effort to ensure a rapid industrialisation. It is the Government's intention to bring forward a number of construction projects and increase expenditure generally in the public sector on construction and road works and other labour intensive projects in order to increase employment to make up for the drop caused by the trade boycott. These works, particularly those where expenditure is proportionately more on labour than materials, can to some extent make up for the loss of 8.7 per cent of our national income and lessen the multiplyer effects of this drop in our economy. The back of the problem of inadequate schools and teachers, of the shortage of homes, houses and flats, has been broken. We can now afford more than just the bare essentials permitted in our original crash programme. Whereas in the first few years schools were all stereotyped and with the minimum of facilities, now there is a wider variety of design and of facilities - playing fields, school halls, school canteens. So too with housing. Whereas four years ago the emphasis was on one-room flats, now those on the waiting list are for two- and three-room flats and getting their share. Part of the disbursements of the Government over the next few years will be to beautify the city - more parks and gardens, more trees, even public fountains, to add a little to the gracefulness of life in this one of the great cities of Asia. Next year in April when the car parking garage at Cecil Street/Market Street is completed, the tarmac on Raffles Square will be broken up to make way for trees and flowers and fountains. The next objective in our social revolution is not only more of the basic necessities of life for every one but also some of the gracefulness of a civilised and cultured society for all in Singapore. The last four and a half years have shown what was possible when a hardworking and able people was given honest government and good planning. The future promises well. Free universal education for primary, secondary and vocational schools is no longer a dream. It is within fulfilment in the next five years. The rebuilding of old Singapore will change large parts of our sky line. Jurong will present a picture of the new Singapore. Modern industry, efficient and well laid out with cheap water and power, sea, road and rail transport as good as any in the world, and workers in modern flats, the first instalment of three thousand of which will be built in Jurong next year by the Housing and Development Board. At the end of five years, when the first phase of Jurong succeeds, as it can and must, then we will see the first manifestations of an affluent Asian city in which a pleasant life with amenities of a civilised society is not only for the wealthy few but for the working many. Geography and history have conspired to make this island an oasis of progress and plenty in a turbulent and chaotic region of Asia. Our human resources, the skill and industry of our people, the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our merchants together with the integrity and drive of an honest administration can turn this into a metropolis that Malaysia can be proud of. 11.27 a.m. 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 (accompanied by two A.D.C.s) out of the Chamber, and the Assembly adjourned without question put, pursuant to the Standing Order. Adjourned accordingly at 11.28 a.m.