Hansard, 1980-03-18

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ROAD ACCIDENTS - (Measures to reduce) asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what measures his Ministry intends to take to reduce the number of road accidents; (b) what safety measures are planned for motorcyclists, as a high proportion of accidents have involved motorcyclists; and (c) whether he will consider introducing a compulsory safe riding course for all learner motorcyclists before they are allowed on the road.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ROAD ACCIDENTS - (Measures to reduce) Mr Speaker, Sir, this question has several parts and I shall answer it part by part. (a) What measures his Ministry intends to take to reduce the number of road accidents In the Budget debate in March 1979, I outlined the Traffic Police's strategy of selective enforcement and education to reduce road accidents. I said that if our road-users were constantly being educated and motivated to behave correctly, the number of accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads in 1979 could be the lowest in the past 15 years. This was, in fact, achieved. In 1979, the number of persons killed on the roads was reduced by 45 and, that of persons seriously injured, by 1,198 as compared to 1978. Unfortunately, the figures for the first two months of this year rose sharply. Greater efforts will be made by the Traffic Police to curb this rising trend. The Traffic Police will step up their enforcement against motorists who commit serious traffic offences. They will pay special attention to drivers of pick-up vans, buses, lorries and motorcycles, as statistics show that the irresponsible ones in this group are responsible for the majority of road accidents. Traffic Police will also step up enforcement against careless pedestrians who flout the Pedestrian Crossing Rules. To help drivers who have been suspended from driving because they have incurred 12 demerit points, the Registry of Vehicles, Traffic Police and the National Safety Council will jointly organise rehabilitation courses beginning on 24th March, 1980. The objective is to re-educate these errant drivers so that they will return to the roads as safe drivers. Attendance will, however, be voluntary. Those who attend regularly and pass a test at the end of the course will be given a reduction of their suspension period by 70%. The Traffic Police will also intensify their education programme on road-safety. They have chosen to concentrate on two target groups, the young and the aged. They have begun to hold safety exhibitions at nine selected schools. The traffic games circuit at the East Coast Park is expected to be completed by June this year, and activities will be organised for school children to learn the rules of road safety through traffic games. From April onwards, through the Residents Committees, they will also hold road safety exhibitions at void decks of selected housing estates on Saturdays and Sundays to bring the road safety message to more people, particularly the aged who are more vulnerable on our roads. The Traffic Accident Study Unit will continue to research into the causes of accidents and to recommend measures to reduce the number of serious accidents. The Traffic Police together with the Public Works Department have identified 104 locations where overhead bridges should be built. The Public Works Department will erect these overhead bridges as rapidly as possible so that pedestrians can cross busy roads safely. (b) What safety measures are planned for motorcyclists as a high proportion of accidents have involved motorcyclists The number of motorcyclists killed on the roads fell from 87 in 1978 to 66 in 1979, giving a 24% reduction. At the same time, the number of persons seriously injured fell by 35% from 1,002 in 1978 to 648 in 1979. However, the total number of motorcycle accidents went up from 4,522 in 1978 to 5,067 in 1979, recording a 12% increase. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 35% of all road accidents in 1978 and 37% in 1979. For the safety of motorcyclists, the Liaison Committee on Road Safety comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communications, Registry of Vehicles, Ministry of Home Affairs and Traffic Police is considering a proposal to have different requirements for licences to ride motorcycles of different engine capacities. (c) Whether he will consider introducing a compulsory safe riding course for all learner motorcyclists, before they are allowed on the road At present, a person over 16 years old can get a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) for riding a motorcycle after having passed a highway code test. He can remain a learner motorcyclist for as long as he wants. The Traffic Police are studying a scheme to encourage learner motorcyclists to prepare themselves for their riding tests early. This will reduce the number of unqualified motorcyclists on our roads. A compulsory safe riding course for all learner motorcyclists before they are allowed to take to the roads should benefit them. However, we are not aware of any country which has done this and we should introduce it only after careful study of the manpower and other resources which such a scheme might involve. The Traffic Police will be studying this matter. If they conclude that it is feasible, they will submit a proposal to the Registrar of Vehicles who is the licensing authority. In the meantime, voluntary safe riding courses are being conducted on the first Sunday of every month. These are organised jointly by the Traffic Police, the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association, the Registry of Vehicles, Vocational and Industrial Training Board, the National Safety Council and the Automobile Association. Courses up to July 1980 have been arranged. If they continue to be popular, further courses will be arranged.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ROAD ACCIDENTS - (Measures to reduce) Sir, in the light of Government's emphasis on road safety and the strong measures indicated by the Hon. Minister, I would draw the Minister's attention to the conviction in court of a school bus driver who caused the death of two students in my constituency. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. This was reported in yesterday's newspaper which also said that the maximum sentence allowable under the law is five years' imprisonment. Does the Minister not think that a stiffer sentence should be passed on cases resulting in death by rash or negligent act or by reckless or dangerous driving?

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ROAD ACCIDENTS - (Measures to reduce) I entirely agree with the Member for River Valley that stiffer sentences in such cases will act as a deterrent to would-be negligent riders or drivers, thereby lessening the carnage on our roads. As far as yesterday's case is concerned, the Police consider the sentence to be inadequate and they are considering filing an appeal.

MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (a) how many motorcycle provisional driving licences have been issued monthly since January 1979 up to the latest convenient date; and (b) if he will consider raising the minimum age of applicants for such licences from 16 to 21 years.

MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 36,389 provisional motorcycle driving licences (PDL's) were issued in 1979. An average of about 3,000 were issued every month. To save time, I have given a full breakdown of the monthly figures (Cols. 1115 - 1116) to the Clerk of Parliament. The Hon. Member may obtain a copy from him. figures - NO. OF PROVISIONAL MOTORCYCLE DRIVING LICENCES (PDL) ISSUED (Cols. 1115 - 1116) With regard to the second part of his question, I do not intend to raise the minimum age of applicants for the provisional motorcycle licence from 16 to 21 years. I see no reason to do so.

MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES Sir, from the figures given of the number of provisional motorcycle driving licences issued since January 1979, we can see that the monthly average is 3,000. Can the Hon. Minister enlighten this House how many of the 3,000 provisional licence holders sat for the test? Will the Minister consider giving them time to sit for and pass the test so that there will be less PDL motorcyclists on the roads?

MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES Sir, earlier my colleague, the Minister for Home Affairs, has already mentioned that the Traffic Police and his Ministry officials are currently looking into a scheme to encourage provisional driving licence holders to prepare themselves for a proper driving test early in order that they can have a qualified licence instead of a provisional licence. This scheme is currently being looked into.

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (a) whether there are plans to improve the public transport in Ang Mo Kio New Town; and (b) whether he is aware of the inadequate facilities at the present Interchange resulting in much inconvenience to the commuters; what measures he proposes to take to improve the situation, and when they will be put into effect.

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) Mr Speaker, Sir, Ang Mo Kio New Town is now served by 12 trunk services and three feeder services. The town is still growing. Regular surveys are conducted by the Singapore BUs Service at six-weekly intervals to monitor the demand for bus services there. More services and buses will be added when necessary. I am aware that the facilities at the present interchange are inadequate; hence SBS is now using it only as a bus terminal. SBS proposes to expand it, and is now finalising the plan with the Housing and Development Board. Once agreement is reached, the expansion can be completed in about a year's time. The enlarged interchange will have a proper passenger concourse with ample waiting space for commuters.

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) Sir, in view of the fact that no bus interchange exists at the moment and in view of the numerous complaints of my constituents about the very unsatisfactory state of the temporary bus terminal, and also in view of the congestion caused by the buses along that stretch of road in Avenue 3, will the Minister consider resiting the temporary bus terminal and, if so, to expedite the changeover as soon as possible?

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) Sir, the level of bus service in Serangoon Gardens has improved tremendously since 1974. The number of complaints has been reduced since steps were taken to improve the level of service there. With regard to the temporary bus terminal, is the Member referring to the one at Serangoon Gardens?

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) Sir, I refer to the stretch along Avenue 3 which comes within Serangoon Gardens constituency. I think the Minister is referring to the bus terminal raised by the Member for Ang Mo Kio.

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) I have just given the answer regarding that particular terminal.

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) The question that I am raising is this. In view of the complaints of my constituents and in view of the congestion caused by the long queue of buses along that stretch of Avenue 3, would the Minister consider resiting the present bus terminal? And if he does consider resiting it, could he do so as soon as possible?

ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN - (Public transport) Sir, if the hon. Member can suggest a better site for the relocation of the bus terminal, I think my Ministry will be too happy to examine it.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted Day]

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 2.48 p.m.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Main and Development Estimates of Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1980. For convenience, I shall take the totals for each head of expenditure in the Main Estimates and the Development Estimates as they appear in the last columns of the schedules of Estimated Expenditure under the Main Estimates and under the Development Estimates, on pages 27 and 28 respectively, of Paper Cmd. 4 of 1980. I shall deal first with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand on the Order Paper Supplement. Head U -

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of Object Group 1210 of Subhead Code UD-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in the context of a clean and green Singapore, Telok Blangah stands high on the scale as a pleasant urban constituency, and residents of Telok Blangah, like all Singaporeans, are equally proud of their homes. This is manifested by the time, effort and monetary investments that they have put in to furnish their homes. Furthermore, I feel the Anti-Pollution Unit has done and is still doing a good job in combating pollution. With this in mind, I wish to seek the assistance of this Unit to investigate the causes of what I would term as "dust pollution" in the higher floors of the block of flats fronting Telok Blangah Road in my constituency. The complaint which has been brought to my attention by the Residents Committee members of that zone is that the presence of black dust particles dirties not only their homes but also any clothing hung up to dry. Fortunately, this dust pollution does not happen all the time but only when there are very strong winds. I trust that such a study could be done soon so that the situation can be remedied quickly. I can assure him that my residents will be very grateful for any assistance that the Anti-Pollution Unit can give.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 ( In Mandarin): Sir, regarding the complaint made by the residents of Telok Blangah, my reply is that the Anti-Pollution Unit has conducted an investigation into the matter. Their findings revealed that black smoke emissions from the ships in port or in the nearby shipyard could be the source of the soot detected by the residents of Telok Blangah. Poor combustion in the engines of ships, especially during start-ups, can cause black smoke emission. The Port of Singapore Authority will take the necessary action against ships which emit black smoke within the port limits.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Sir, in view of the satisfactory answer, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code UF-03 of the Main Estimates. Sir, community centres are set up to meet the needs of the community. They are normally located in densely populated areas so that the people will find it convenient to go there after work and take part in the various activities in the community centre. However, in some community centres their activities have been affected by urban renewal, while other community centres have been demolished. Under such circumstances, community centres have not been able to carry out their original tasks. Therefore, the People's Association should consider resiting them so that they can cater to the needs of the community. In an area where there is already a community centre but it is unable to cater to the needs of the people, the People's Association should either re-build it or expand it so that it could adequately meet the needs of the people. But owing to the sharp rise in prices of building materials, it now costs at least $1 million to build a standard community centre. Although a substantial part of the cost is borne by the People's Association, community leaders in the area concerned will have to raise quite a big sum of money, and this is by no means easy in a poor constituency. Hence. the entire cost of building a community centre should be borne by the People's Association. In other words, the People's Association should be responsible for rebuilding or expanding an existing community centre. At the same time, community leaders must also raise funds not less than $200,000. This money should be held by the People's Association and deposited in the bank by way of fixed deposit. The interest earned on this deposit should be used to pay for the operational expenses of the community centre. In this way, the community leaders will have more time to plan more suitable programmes to meet the needs of the people and so provide a better life for them.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, can I also discuss under the same subject my next amendment?

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Yes.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Thank you, Sir. I hope, this afternoon, to highlight the gross inadequacy of the provision for renovations for community centres under construction. As we know, at present a sum of $24,000 is put aside for this item. It is not my intention to raise the subject of the redevelopment of community centres in order to have a bone to pick with the People's Association and the Ministry of Finance. Having had several opportunities outside Parliament to vent my unhappiness and the frustrations of grassroots community leaders, I seek this opportunity to share our experiences, mostly first-hand and some vicariously, with my parliamentary colleagues in this august Chamber. Further, I have been reassured by relevant authorities that the Ministry of Finance is presently looking into the question of increased subsidy for Kim Seng Community Centre rebuilding. It would not therefore be fair to the righteous protectors of the Republic's coffers to launch into another broadside. The lessons I learnt could best be summed up in the following six new commandments. I intend to go into these commandments. Any disbeliever questions these commandments at his own peril. Commandment No. 1: Thou shalt not extend existing community centres. Some community centre leaders can tell you first-hand where they goofed. Like consumer goods in this modern day throwaway society, there seems to be no merit in preserving serviceable community centres. Keep your old centres if you wish, but do not expect generous handouts. 3.00 p.m. Commandment No. 2: Thou shalt not raise funds too quickly. In the matter of fund-raising, five constituencies thought they were smart in raising funds quickly to start their community centre rebuilding programmes. They only discovered afterwards that increased subsidies were showered upon slower-starters. These five constituencies now have to show cause, separately, why they should be entitled to similar privileges. My Centre's appeal lies presently with the Finance Ministry, and I am patiently awaiting judgment. The lesson learnt is nonetheless supremely useful - never risk a quickstep if you can just foxtrot along in the new dance called "fund-raising". Commandment No. 3: Don't laugh too early. This applies to all who enjoy the new grants. I do not begrudge Telok Blangah constituency for its new $2.1 million community centre project. Indeed, I congratulate the hon. Member for Telok Blangah, who was yesterday bubbling with delight, for the promise of $1.6 million Government subsidy. However, by the time the project starts and the nitty-gritty is considered, he will be, as sure as the sun rises, screaming towards the Finance Ministry for more funds. For what he gets at the end of this initial exercise is a community centre with four brick walls, gray cement flooring and a roof to protect him from the fierce sun and tropical rain. The provision for renovations at $24,000 will be about good enough to cover stage-lighting and props. Perhaps modern generation community centres are designed this way. Any one visiting the community centre for whatever purpose must bring along his own things - a chair if he wants to sit; an air-conditioner if he wants more comfort; a table and typewriter if he is clerical in disposition; pots and pans if he enjoys cookery. Commandment No. 4: Don't open your mouth, especially if you are drowning. Avoid airing your grouses in public. It is always more effective to approach the relevant authorities humbly and, if possible, suppliant on all fours. If, however, all doors are shut, you are then fully justified to tear down the doors and partitions. But such recourse should be avoided at all cost. Commandment No. 5: Don't blame the People's Association for your troubles. The PA does not profess to have expertise in property development. They have enough problems already trying to convince the Finance Ministry to improve the existing salary structure to retain and hopefully attract community development officers to work. And finally, Commandment No. 6 (the most important): Whatever happens, don't blame the Finance Ministry. You will not win in any case. It is advisable under normal circumstances to blame the PA for getting you into this rut, even though you know that they themselves are in a fix.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Mr Speaker, Sir, I will reply to the Member for Paya Lebar first. I appreciate his concern about the limitation of community leaders in raising funds, particularly in a constituency where fund-raising is not easy, and that they should spend some time, if not more time, in running the centre rather than raising funds. As to his suggestion that community leaders should deposit the building fund with a minimum of $200,000 in the name of the People's Association so that the interest earned could be spent on the centre's activities, I think that is not possible because whatever monies, including interest, put in building funds cannot be used for the centre's activities, because the building funds are exempted from tax. If they want funds for the centre's activities, they have to raise funds for that specific purpose. As for the Member for Kim Seng, I am afraid it is not possible for me to implement his six commandments. I think he has done quite well with regard to Commandment No. 4, because he has done this not only inside but also outside this House. I would like to add one or two more commandments. First, I think it is very important to be patient. Secondly, do not prejudge, do not jump the gun, or do not jump to conclusion. I would like to read to him a letter which I have just received from the Minister for Finance regarding his case. This is his reply: 'I refer to your letter (that is, my letter to the Minister] of 26th February, 1980, and your request for the subsidy to Kim Seng Community Centre to be raised to $700,000. [We are doing something for the Member.] I assure you that the assessment of the subsidy to Kim Seng Community Centre was not determined on the basis of the cut-off date of 23rd August, 1979, when Cabinet decided on new revised rates. The criterion adopted was the amount of money required to complete the building project. The Government subsidy for each community centre is determined by the total project cost and the funds that the Community could reasonably raise or be expected to raise. Where the short-falls have been substantial, the Government subsidy has been increased to meet the deficit, for example, Punggol, Brickworks and Ulu Pandan. Additionally, where there is a genuine or urgent need for more funds, these are provided. An example is the grant given for additional land purchased for Dr Ong Leong Boon's Community Centre in May last year. On the information then available to the Ministry of Finance from the People's Association, the original total project cost for the Kim Seng Community Centre was $884,000. Of this sum, the Community has at 1st November, 1979, raised $385,591. With the Government subsidy of $514,000 raised on the old rate, the total funds available exceeded the total project cost by $16.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for the way he delivered his reply. From the way he went on, initially I thought the answer would be no. However, I am very happy to note that the Ministry of Finance has agreed to this additional subsidy of $83,000. I would also like to thank the Minister for Finance for his personal intervention in this matter. I am sure my constituents will be most delighted to hear this news.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 ( In Mandarin): Sir, in view of the reply given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $29,396,030 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $21,278,700 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head L -

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of Object Group 1100 of Subhead Code LA-01 of the Main Estimates. May I also be permitted to take this opportunity to range my comments over to my other two amendments?

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Yes.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Thank you, Sir, I hope the Chair will bear in mind that since I am speaking on three amendments, therefore, I am entitled to speak for 30 minutes. But I promise you, Sir, that I will not take 30 minutes. I may take only 12 minutes.

MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT - ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 Order. That is not my ruling.