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ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NATIONAL MUSEUM - (Plans for modernisation) asked the Minister for Science and Technology what steps have been taken to modernise the National Museum on the lines indicated in the addendum to the President's Speech on 6th May, 1968.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NATIONAL MUSEUM - (Plans for modernisation) Mr Speaker, Sir, at the time of the transfer of the National Museum to the Ministry of Science and Technology, there were plans to modernise the public galleries and to modify the existing building to increase the exhibition space from the present 36,000 square feet to 51,000 square feet as well as to provide adequate accommodation for the reference collection, library and research facilities. These plans were based on recommendations submitted by a UNESCO museum adviser, Dr A. N. J. Vandehoop, and those submitted by the Science and Industry Museum Com mittee set up in 1961. The Government has also obtained the services of a Colombo Plan expert, Mr Y. Takizawa, of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, from September 1967 to June this year to advise on the designs and layout of exhibition cases in the public galleries. However, Members will be aware that the Museum, as it stands at the moment, is almost a junk-shop containing a hodge-podge of exhibits. You enter one room in which you see snakes and monkeys and you enter the next room and you see old Chinese furniture and sarongs. Obviously the Museum needs a new policy and, accordingly, a Gallup poll was conducted among Museum visitors to ascertain their preferences for the various categories of exhibits in June this year. The results showed a general preference for exhibits of flora and fauna. In view of this preference and of the limitation of funds which makes it impossible to build up the Anthropological Section of the Museum, it has now been decided to develop the National Museum into a Natural History Museum. In the meantime, the Development Planning Committee has given approval for expenditure of $245,000 to improve the existing building according to plans already made. Legislation will shortly be introduced to provide for the establishment of a National Museum Board which will advise and assist in the running of the National Museum. There is also a possibility that the services of a Museum expert may be obtained with UNESCO assistance to advise on the setting up of exhibits and dioramas in the National Museum.
PIONEER INDUSTRIES - (Employment figures) asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many workers were employed by pioneer industries as at 30th June, 1968; and (b) how many pioneer industries have been and are expected to be set up and how many workers have been and are expected to be employed by such industries during the period of twelve months from 1st July, 1968.
PIONEER INDUSTRIES - (Employment figures) Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 30th June, 1968, approximately 19,000 workers were employed by 174 pioneer industrial firms. As to the second part of the question, Sir, during the period of 12 months from 1st July, 1968, 25 additional pioneer firms are expected to go into pro duction and it is estimated that 8,000 new jobs will be created.
NEW INDUSTRIES ESTABLISHED - FROM 1-1-68 TO 31-10-68 - (Particulars) asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many new industries have been established during the period 1st January, 1968 to 31st October, 1968, and what is the total capital investment; and (b) how many workers are employed by those industries.
NEW INDUSTRIES ESTABLISHED - FROM 1-1-68 TO 31-10-68 - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Economic Development Board survey, which covers all pioneer firms in Singapore and only those non-pioneer firms in Jurong, indicates the following situation for the period from 1st January to 31st October, 1968. Since the beginning of this year, 120 new factories were established, consisting of 61 pioneer firms and 59 non-pioneer firms in Jurong. Of these, 56, that is, 33 pioneer and 23 non-pioneer firms in Jurong, have already started production/operation. The remaining 28 pioneer and 36 Jurong non-pioneer firms are in various stages of implementation. As at October, 1968, the 56 firms in production had a total fixed capital investment of $56.3 million, and employed 3,679 workers.
SEMBAWANG/WOODLANDS AREA - (Development into industrial complex) asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the Government's plan to develop the Sembawang and Woodlands areas into an industrial complex.
SEMBAWANG/WOODLANDS AREA - (Development into industrial complex) Mr Speaker, Sir, approximately 6,000 acres of land in the Sembawang/Woodlands area, with existing housing, industrial and other facilities, together with waterfront land with access to a deep-sea channel, will be available for civilian use when the British withdraw from the Naval Base by 1971. These facilities, with suitable development and conversion, can provide sub stantial infra-structure for a potential industrial complex which would generate new activities to replace the old military activities and to absorb the labour force formerly employed in the military establishment. A naval dockyard has already been converted for civilian use. And a preliminary study is being conducted with the view to drawing up a master plan for the development and conversion of the area for civilian use according to the phased withdrawal of the military base and according to the estimated requirement of industrial land. At the present time, approximately 390 acres of swampy land within the Naval Base situated west of the Naval Dockyard are being surveyed and tenders for earth works in this area will soon be called.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Government policy on setting up new factories to - produce goods specified in First and Second Schedules) asked the Minister for Finance (a) what is the policy of the Government in regard to the setting up of new factories to produce goods or classes of goods specified in the First and Second Schedules to the Control of Manufacture Ordinance, 1959, where those goods are already being produced by existing factories; and (b) whether would-be investors will be allowed to set up new factories to produce such specified goods, on the condition that they can promote an export market for a proportion of their total production.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Government policy on setting up new factories to - produce goods specified in First and Second Schedules) Mr Speaker, Sir, the licensing of new factories to manufacture products on the Control of Manufacture list where these products are already being produced by existing factories would depend on the volume and capacity production of such factories as the local market could bear. The Government is prepared to consider the issue of new licences if it is established that the production of existing manufacturers is not sufficient to cater for the needs and requirements of local consumers. However, the Government would like to satisfy itself that new manufacturers have the necessary managerial, technical and marketing expertise required for successful operation of their enterprise. In all cases where a small number of licencees are authorised, a condition is imposed in regard to maintenance of quality as well as price variations. With regard to the second part of the question, Sir, the Government is always willing to give sympathetic consideration to any proposals for the setting up of plants to produce goods for export markets. In line with this policy, the Government is prepared to consider licensing new manufacturers if they are in a position to export their products overseas or, in the case of international manufacturers, they already have existing markets to which they have been exporting from other locations. It is, however, difficult to enforce compliance with undertakings given in respect of export performance. Accordingly, such undertakings are treated with reserve.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Profiteering by manufacturers of goods - specified in First and Second Schedules) asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that some existing manufacturers of goods specified in the First and Second Schedules to the Control of Manufacture Ordinance, 1959, are ex ploiting the captive market, and prices of some items of daily necessities have -gone up by more than 50 per cent, and what measures have been taken to curb this profiteering tendency which is at the expense of domestic consumers.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Profiteering by manufacturers of goods - specified in First and Second Schedules) Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to answer the hon. Member's question, I have caused a survey to be taken of the prices of the following, which are the likely items of daily necessities the hon. Member has in mind. These items are: (1) toilet soap; (2) condensed milk; (3) singlets; (4) toilet papers; (5) shirts; (6) hair cream. The survey shows that there has been little change in the retail prices of the items before and after protection has been accorded. There has been no change in the prices of all the other items mentioned except for toilet soap. There is therefore no justification for the contention of the hon. Member for River Valley that prices of some items of daily necessities have gone up by more than 50 per cent. As for shirts - until recently there existed neither duty nor quantity restriction. Even now there is no quantity restriction. The complaints of higher prices are perhaps more the result of local consumers insisting on imported brands, on which protective tariffs have been imposed.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Profiteering by manufacturers of goods - specified in First and Second Schedules) Mr Speaker, Sir, I completely disagree With the Parliamentary Secretary. I have got the figures for 1965 for the following items: singlets used to cost 60 cents each and today it is being sold at 75 cents; socks used to cost $7 per dozen as against $7.80 per dozen today; toilet papers used to cost 18 cents per roll as against 23 cents per roll today; Lux soap used to cost 25 cents per cake as against 45 cents per cake today. Can the Parliamentary Secretary explain the increase in prices between 1965 and today in the light of his contention yesterday that there was not much increase in the cost of living?
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE - ORDINANCE, 1959 - (Profiteering by manufacturers of goods - specified in First and Second Schedules) Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member for River Valley answered his own question by his last sentence. Indeed, during yesterday's Budget debate I quoted the retail price index which showed that, in fact, there was a decline in the retail price index from something like 113 points to 111 points. I have got a list here which I shall be only too happy to give to the hon. Member, and if he will also make available to me his list, I shall check up. If he is satisfied with my private answer later on, all will be well, otherwise he can always table another question.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 - (Reduction in provision) asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the increase in expenditure on defence, whether he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the provision for the Rural Development Programme for 1969, so that the people in the rural areas will continue to benefit from rural development schemes.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 - (Reduction in provision) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang seeks an assur ance that in spite of the increase in defence expenditure, there will be no reduction in the provision for rural development in 1969. I trust that the hon. Member is not taking the position that the welfare of the rural people-whether in Sembawang or elsewhere-has precedence over the security and safety of the entire population of the Republic. I am sure he is not. But his question reminds me of a cartoon I saw in Punch during World War II. Britain was then in a desperate position, standing alone against Nazi in Germany, and her cities were being bombed day and night. The cartoon depicts a bespectacled middle-aged woman addressing a gathering of village folk in some small English village. She said, "Of course, the Government's policy will advance the national war effort, but will it help this village?". Now to answer the question. It is fortunate that defence expenditure can be met in 1969 without reducing essential expenditure in other fields. This, however, assumes that economic growth in 1969 will be good, resulting in good tax yields. If that proves not to be the case, then either defence expenditure will have to be reduced or other expenditure, including that of rural development, will have to be reduced. I, therefore, cannot give the assurance that the Member seeks.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 - (Reduction in provision) (In Mandarin): I am quite satisfied with the Minister's reply because the development
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 - (Reduction in provision) Mr Teong, are you asking a supplementary question?
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 - (Reduction in provision) (In Mandarin): No. I was just talking.
HOUSES ON RENTED LAND - (Approval of plans for major repairs) asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will take steps whereby owners of houses, which are on rented land and which are in a dilapidated condition, may obtain the approval of the Chief Building Surveyor of their plans to carry out major repairs which may amount to reconstruction of their houses without having to obtain the permission of the landowner.
HOUSES ON RENTED LAND - (Approval of plans for major repairs) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Chief Building Sur veyor's Department is prepared to allow repairs to or reconstruction of dilapidated temporary buildings without the landowner's permission provided that the reconstruction is carried out on the same site with no extension of the floor area. In such cases, the applicant is required to submit the following documents: (1) a sketch plan of the proposed structure; (2) a temporary permit licence issued by the Chief Building Surveyor's Department to prove that the existing structure is an authorised one; and (3) either ground rent receipts and/ or property tax receipts to prove ownership of the building. The above, of course, does not apply to reconstruction of large temporary structures with floor areas in excess of 750 square feet or those structures which may be affected by redevelopment or other public improvement schemes.
HOTEL CONSTRUCTION - (Particulars) asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) how many hotels are under construction and the number of rooms they will have; (b) how many hotels are awaiting planning approval and the number of rooms they will have; and (c) whether he anticipates that the total number of rooms available will not exceed the demand in the next five years.
HOTEL CONSTRUCTION - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, 15 hotels with a total of about 5,000 rooms are under construction. Ten hotels with a total of about 2,000 rooms are awaiting planning approval. The hon. Member should appreciate that it would be premature for me at this juncture to say whether the total number of rooms available will not exceed the demand in the next five years. It is not easy to forecast with any degree of accuracy the future increase in tourist traffic and the accommodation that will be required for the next five years. The known fact is that Singapore has experienced, and is still experiencing, an acute shortage of hotel accommodation which has led to some hotels increasing their charges and also has led to some tourists by-passing Singapore. If we are to promote the tourist industry, there must be easily available adequate good class hotel rooms at reasonable charges coupled with first-class service. We have always thrived on competition and with more hotels and keener competition, even better service will be provided for hotel guests.
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT - (Expedition of planning approval) asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether planning approval can be expedited so as to speed up private development.
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT - (Expedition of planning approval) Mr Speaker, Sir, the law requires that planning decisions be given within three months of an application being submitted. This is provided for in the Planning Ordinance, but in most cases planning decisions are given much earlier than three months. In cases where the proposals submitted involve alterations to the Master Plan, the procedure required by the law is somewhat lengthy as it involves notification in the press and public exhibition of the proposed alterations. Where there is a special need to encourage and expedite a particular type of development in the public interest, for example, hotels, there is a provision in the Planning Ordinance for such development proposals to be considered expeditiously without following the strict and lengthy procedure normally required for alterations to the Master Plan. Whilst efforts are continuously being made by my Ministry to investigate into possible ways and means to expedite planning approvals, developers and their architects can also help by submitting complete well-thought-out and properly planned proposals and by providing all relevant information necessary for the consideration of the planners.
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS asked the Minister for Law and National Development to what extent reclamatory works along the East Coast and at Pasir Panjang, Kallang and Kranji have been completed; what plans there are to reclaim land in other areas in Singapore; and, if he will make a statement on plans to develop the land already reclaimed and to be reclaimed.
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS Sir, the question requires information in respect of several reclamation projects and I will take them in turn. First, the East Coast foreshore. The biggest reclamation project at present is proceeding along the East Coast foreshore in two phases: the first reclama tion of about 1,000 acres of foreshores extending from Bedok to the Singapore Swimming Club, and the second reclamation of about 125 acres from the Singapore Swimming Club to the tip of Tanjong Rhu. By the end of October last, 705 acres of land had been reclaimed. It is expected that both phases will be completed by early 1970. Comprehensive plans for the utilisation of the reclaimed land along the East Coast are now being prepared. A new coastal highway will first be constructed to meet the increasing needs of the East Coast area. In addition, land will be set aside for housing, parks, hotels and shops. It is likely that another 200 acres of land along Nicoll Highway will be reclaimed at a later stage to provide better open spaces and recreational facilities for the people in the central areas of the city. Another major reclamation project now in progress and nearing completion is the Kallang Basin Reclamation. Out of the 450 acres of swamp land in Kallang Basin, 370 acres had been reclaimed by the end of October last. The remaining 80 acres will be reclaimed in the next two years. Two-thirds of the reclaimed land in the Kallang Basin will be used for labour intensive industries and one-third for low-cost public housing. Two blocks of flatted factories have been constructed and already occupied, and more blocks are now under construction. About 3,550 units of housing have been completed and occupied and another 12,000 units are expected to be built within the next five years. The Pasir Panjang reclamation. Early this year, a pilot scheme to reclaim the West Coast foreshores at Pasir Panjang began. By September, the scheme was completed and ten acres of land near the 6th mile were reclaimed. This piece of land will be used for the development of tourist recreational facilities. Detailed investigations into the feasibility of reclaiming more land along the West Coast are being conducted at present. The Kranji reclamation. A total of 247 acres of swamp land was earmarked for reclamation out of which 160 acres have already been reclaimed. This area is to be developed for sawmills and related industries. Lastly, other reclamation projects which are being planned or undertaken include the following: (a) 1,000 acres of swamp and foreshore at the east bank of Jurong for marine, woodworking and other industries; (b) 307 acres of prawn-ponds and swamp at Sungei Kadut for woodworking and other industries; (c) 108 acres of swamp close to the Armament Depot in the Naval Base for marine and other industries; (d) extension of the East Coast Reclamation from Bedok towards Changi; and (e) extension of the West Coast Reclamation towards the city to provide an area for the construction of godowns.
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister for Law and National Development entertain submissions on the utilisation of reclaimed land from members of the public who may be deemed to have the necessary technical expertise to comment on such matters?
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS Mr Speaker, the Ministry would not only welcome but would appreciate suggestions from members of the public as to how we should use this land.
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister tell the House what steps have been taken to allow the free flow of water from the two large drains in the Joo Chiat area to the sea during and after the reclamation of the foreshore of Joo Chiat?
RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND - DEVELOPMENT PLANS Mr Speaker, Sir, these are specific problems which we have had to meet because of the reclamation. I have also received complaints from other constituencies. For example, one was from Siglap. Reclamation of the sea must lead to blockage of some drains and outlets leading to the sea. Follow ing complaints by the Member for Siglap, the position in Siglap was remedied. Now that the Member for Joo Chiat has complained in the House, I assure him that I will look into the matter and try to improve the drainage system in Joo Chiat.
MOUNTBATTEN ROAD AND - GUILLEMARD ROAD CIRCUSES - (Fountains and landscaping) asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether Government has any plan to construct fountains on or provide landscaping to the Mountbatten Road Circus (outside Kallang Park) and the Guillemard Road Circus, both of which are on the main traffic route between the City and the eastern part of the Republic.
MOUNTBATTEN ROAD AND - GUILLEMARD ROAD CIRCUSES - (Fountains and landscaping) Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no intention to build fountains at or to landscape Mountbatten Road Circus and Guillemard Road Circus as these two circuses will be affected by road and junction improvement by 1970 when work begins ,on the Kallang Sports Complex development. However, shrubs have been planted to beautify these two circuses.
NATIONAL ZOO asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the Government proposes to set up a National Zoo and when.
NATIONAL ZOO Mr Speaker, Sir, the feasibility of setting up a zoological garden within the catchment area of Seletar where a site of 260 acres is available, is under consideration by the Public Utilities Board. Sizable water catchment areas totalling 8,600 acres are vested in the Board and the need to put these large areas of land, which would otherwise be sterilised, to such maximum public use as is compatible with the over-riding necessity of ensuring a safe water supply has resulted in the development of MacRitchie Park as well as the present proposal. The concept envisages moated enclosures and spacious paddocks to house a variety of mammals and reptiles, a development which will have immense educational benefit for the younger generation and also serve as a tourist attraction. The natural environment would be retained as far as possible and concrete bars and wiremesh fencing kept to a minimum. Towards this end, in the middle of this year, the Board invited a Mr E. H. 'Thong, Director of Whitsney Zoo in England, to advise on all aspects and possibilities of the construction of a wild life sanctuary and limited zoo. Mr Thong, who was in Singapore for five weeks, has submitted a detailed report which suggests that the proposed area at Seletar would be highly suitable for the purpose and can be made into an attractive zoo park. The Board has also had the advice of Mr Straham, Director of the Tarronga Zoo in New South Wales, Australia, who was also in Singapore for a short period. Mr Straham is also of the opinion that the area could be developed into one of the best zoos in this region. A number of other experts have also been consulted. The financial implications of the project, the amount of subsidy required and the effectiveness of possible anti-pollution measures are amongst the many problems that are being carefully examined. Once these evaluations are completed, it is hoped to be able to proceed with the implementation of this venture which will complement the proposed aviary at present under construction at Jurong.
NEW BRIDGE ROAD - (Erection of overhead pedestrian bridges) asked the Minister for Law and National Development, in view of the heavy vehicular traffic along New Bridge Road, especially in that sector between Canal Road and Merchant Road, whether he will consider erecting an overhead bridge for the safety and convenience of pedestrians, and also for the smooth flow of vehicular traffic.
NEW BRIDGE ROAD - (Erection of overhead pedestrian bridges) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department has plans to erect overhead pedestrian bridges along New Bridge Road. Two sites have already been selected: one is in front of Hong Lim Park and the other near the People's Park. Work is expected to begin in January next year.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted Day]. 3.08 p.m.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 Estimates of Expenditure of Singapore for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, contained in Paper Cmd. 27 of 1968. For the convenience of hon. Members, I intend taking the total for each head of expenditure as it appears in the last column of the Abstract of Estimated Expenditure on pages 53 and 54 of the Paper. Dealing first with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand on the Order Paper Supplement No. 5 Head 0106 -
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0106 he reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2013. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am confident that the Government is still desirous of promoting and uplifting the livelihood of the Malays in the Republic by giving opportunities to Malay children who are Singapore citizens to acquire higher education. The Malays in the Republic are generally far behind in all fields of human endeavour. I believe the Government is fully aware of this fact. That is the reason why the Government is setting aside special bursaries for Malays. But, unfortunately, the bursaries for the year 1969/70 have been reduced. Each recipient gets only $750 per year. This is half the amount which the Malay students received in previous years. This amount is inadequate for a student studying in an institution of higher learning. Mr Speaker, Sir, for the first time in the history of the Republic of Singapore, students from the Malay language stream are admitted to the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. Although both universities provide courses in Malay studies, nevertheless, they both require a pass in English and Mandarin respectively before students can be admitted and obtain their degrees. One of the ways to improve Malay students' knowledge of English and Mandarin is to stay in the hostel where they can mix freely and harmoniously with their non-Malay fellow students. But the reduced amount of bursary of $750 per year for each student will not be adequate for this purpose. Because the Malays are still behind the other communities in all fields, I make the appeal that the special bursaries for Malay students be con tinued to be given in full for at least a period of ten years. If they are given in full, the Malays will not lag behind their more advanced brethren and fellow citizens of other communities. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member has rightly observed that it is an important item of policy of the Singapore Government to ensure that the Malays improve their competitive position in our society. And one of the best ways to achieve this is to give them certain privileges in the field of education which other communities do not enjoy. At present Singapore Malay citizens enjoy free tuition from primary school to secondary school level and, if they are qualified, are eligible for admission to institutions of higher learning. They enjoy free tuition in the universities, the Polytechnic and so on. When the special Malay bursaries were first introduced, it was possible to give everybody the maximum amount of the award simply because there were at that time very few students who were eligible for such bursaries. This year the number of Malay students who have obtained bursaries is more than three times that of last year. There is no justification for giving everybody the maximum award, either in the case of the special Malay bursaries or, indeed, in the case of other bursaries. There is also an additional reason. Interest-free study loans are eligible to Malay students as well as to other students. So with the increase in opportunities available to Malay students, it is necessary to modify the original conditions. Where before there was no regard paid to the academic performance of the students, now their progress in their work, their family income, and the economic cir cumstances of their family, will have to be borne in mind. 3.15 p.m. I am satisfied that, all things considered, the present position is one which provides sufficient benefits to Malays in pursuit of higher education and that the new policy would in no way reduce the ability of the Malays to gain admission to higher institutions of learning and profit from academic studies.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 (In Malay): Sir, can the Minister confirm whether a student, who is receiving a bursary of $750 a year, can apply for an interest-free study loan if he is in need of financial aid to further his studies?
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 Am I to understand that the question is whether, in addition to bursaries, Malay students can get study loans? I am not conversant with the details of the regulations governing study loans and bursaries. No doubt, if there are special circumstances which justify a grant of both study loan and bursary in any individual case, such an application will be considered.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE - FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO - 31ST MARCH, 1970 (In Malay): On the explanation of the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,475,320 for Head 0106 ,ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0201 -