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PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT Under the provisions of clause 2(d) of Article 46 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the following Members have been granted permission to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any Committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated: NameFromTo (2000)(2000) Mr Gerard Ee 14 Nov14 Nov Mr Davinder Singh 14 Nov14 Nov Mr Ibrahim bin Othman15 Nov20 Nov Mr Sin Boon Ann18 Nov6 Dec Dr Aline Wong8 Dec12 Dec TAN SOO KHOON Speaker Parliament of Singapore
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology (a) what will be the cost savings in postal operations as a result of automated mailing processing and whether such savings will be passed on to the public and business community in the form of lower postage rates as a real incentive to encourage automation; and (b) whether his Ministry will provide a comparison of postage rates in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei as well as a detailed explanation on the recent increases in international postage rates despite the cost savings through automation.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Mr Speaker, Sir, postal rates were revised on 1st November this year, five years after the last revision in 1995. During this period, the cost of mail processing and delivery has continued to rise due to increases in wage costs and administration costs. However, with automation and computerisation, SingPost is able to increase labour productivity and offset some of these cost increases. In the recent revision, it has kept the rates for domestic standard mail, which accounts for more than 90% of domestic total volume, largely unchanged. The postage rate was raised only for standard mails in the 40-50 grams weight step, which comprises less than 0.5% of all standard mails. Mr Tay asked for comparison for postage rates in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Sir, for the basic 20 grams standard size mail, our rate is 0.22 cents. This is higher than 0.14 cents in Brunei and 0.22 cents in Malaysia, due to higher wage structure in Singapore. If we were to compare our rates with economies of similar wage structure, SingPost's rate of 0.22 cents is lower than 0.29 cents in Hong Kong and 0.28 cents in Taiwan. So on balance, IDA's price control framework does ensure that our postal rates are competitive. Mr Tay also asked about international mail rates. The two major cost components are operating costs and payment to destination countries. I wish to point out that operating costs account for only 38% of the total cost. The remaining 62% are payments to destination countries. The rates of payment are determined by an International Accounting System established by the Universal Postal Union, and the payments are beyond the control of SingPost. The recent hike in international postal rates is to allow SingPost to recover part of the increase in the rates of payment to destination countries.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Sir, is the Minister aware that the abolition of second-class postage for printed materials by SingPost has resulted in a substantial increase in the postal cost for business magazines and newsletters alike, which can no longer be posted at a cheaper second-class mail? The increase of such postal rates could be as high as 67% for local mail and over 100% for overseas mail. This is definitely not a pro-business approach and I wonder whether the Minister could explain this.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Mr Speaker, Sir, as I mentioned earlier, in terms of international mail, more than 60% of the costs are really beyond the control of SingPost. So the increase in international mail rates is really a cost increase that we have no choice but to bear. As far as domestic mail is concerned, the priority is to encourage automation. For example, if companies or individuals, in particular companies, are able to take advantage of the incentive schemes offered by SingPost, such as the domestic mail bulk scheme, ie, they lodge their letters in a machineable bar-coded and pre-sorted manner, they can enjoy a substantial discount from SingPost. So my suggestion is for companies, big and small, to take full advantage of the efficiency that can be achieved through automation. In this way, we can have a win-win situation between SingPost and the users.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Is the Minister aware that, despite the high rates that Singapore charges, in this age today, it sometimes takes four or five days for letters to reach the addressee in Singapore itself?
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Sir, for the ordinary letters mailed in Singapore, IDA does not just control the rates. It also imposes performance indicators on SingPost. For example, a certain percentage of the mail would have to be delivered within the same day and a certain percentage will have to be delivered by the next day. In the example cited by the Member regarding the delay of four to five days, if I could have the information, I would be happy to look into it. To the best of our knowledge, almost 100% of mails are either delivered on the same day or by the next day. But, as I said, I would be happy to have the information so that we can look into this particular incident and see how we can get SingPost to improve on its performance.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) Is the Minister saying that I should send to him every letter that I have received three or four days after its posting? If he wants me to do that, I will flood him with them.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) No, Sir. This is not what I meant. What I meant is that we are not aware that there are many letters, as mentioned by the Member, being delayed in the mail for three to four days. That is why I am asking for the feedback. If it is indeed true that most of the letters sent to you ---
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) I will flood you with them!
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - POSTAL SERVICE AUTOMATION - (Cost savings) I would be happy to look into that.
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) asked the Minister for National Development (a) what measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the water contamination problem as had occurred in Bukit Timah Plaza and Chuan Park Condominium; and (b) whether the roles and responsibilities of management agents and management corporations in the Land Titles (Strata) Act are clearly defined.
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) Sir, there are two parts to this question. On the first part, at the Parliamentary session on 9th October 2000, Mr Tang Guan Seng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Trade and Industry), has outlined the measures taken by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), together with the Ministry of the Environment (ENV), to prevent a recurrence of the water contamination problem. If the Member has more questions, he might wish to direct a question to MTI. Or else, he might want to look up the Hansard. On part (b), on the roles and responsibilities of the management corporations (MCs), these are clearly spelt out in the Land Titles (Strata) Act. Amongst other things, the management corporation has the duty to properly manage, maintain and keep the common property in a state of good and serviceable repair, keep proper records and books of account and insure the property. Sir, under the Act, the MC may appoint a managing agent (MA) and, by a written instrument, delegates its powers, duties and functions to the MA. Where the MC has delegated the performance of a duty to the MA, the Act provides that the MA shall be liable for any contravention of the provisions of the Act in respect of the delegated duty. So the key words are "delegated duty". The MC will have to decide for itself the duties to be delegated to the MA, and the contractual terms for the appointment. If the MA did not perform, the MC may remove the MA from office. And like any other commercial arrangements, the MC may also seek the appropriate legal remedies if it can establish a breach of contract or negligence on the part of the managing agent. Sir, where there are provisions in the Land Titles (Strata) Act, which proved to be inadequate, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) would initiate and recommend amendments to the Act at the appropriate time.
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) Sir, can I ask two questions? Firstly, at the moment, since the MA's contract is usually for only one year, will the Ministry consider giving a longer contract for the MA to manage private condominiums? Secondly, water tanks. Does the Ministry have special programmes to ensure that MAs check the water tanks within a specific time?
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) The details of the terms of a contract are between the MC and the MA. So if the MC wants to award the contract for more than one year, it is up to the MC. Whether the Ministry looks after the water tank safety, the answer is really no, because the Building and Construction Authority is the authority on building as far as structural integrity is concerned. Water contamination problems are actually under the purview of MTI and the Ministry of the Environment. But just to give the background, after the Bukit Timah Plaza incident, MTI and ENV have instructed all MCs to look at their sanitary pipes and to repair these pipes if they are corrugated and to also check their water tanks. They have found that the Bukit Timah Plaza incident was an isolated problem. But, nonetheless, the problem has been fixed.
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary if he would say that the two cases cited are actually of a very different nature and whether the real cause of contamination in the Chuan Park case has been established?
WATER CONTAMINATION - (Preventive measures) I am not aware of the details of the Chuan Park case. As far as I know, the Chuan Park case was not a serious problem because they had found some kerosene contaminants in the water tank. But the kerosene contaminants were small and minuscule and did not affect human health.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give the reasons why the Public Entertainment Licensing Unit has refused the application for the play "Talaq".
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) asked the Minister for Home Affairs why the Government banned the performance of the play "Talaq" by theatre group Agni Koothu at short notice despite the recommendation of the National Arts Council that it be allowed.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) asked the Minister for Home Affairs what were the legal grounds under which the performance of the play "Talaq" was disallowed.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Sir, may I take Question Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together as they are related?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Yes.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Thank you, Sir. The Police's Public Entertainment Licensing Unit (PELU) issues licences for public entertainment and meetings, such as plays, operas, variety acts, music performances and talks under the Public Entertainments Act. In deciding whether or not to grant a licence, PELU may consult the relevant authorities and, amongst other factors, PELU takes into account law and order considerations, including racial and religious sensitivities that may be evoked. Sir, "Talaq", which explores marital violence and rape in the Indian Muslim community, was first performed in Tamil by the Agni Kootthu theatre group in December 1998, and twice in February 1999. In assessing applications made in respect of those performances, PELU sought the National Arts Council's (NAC) views. NAC recommended approval. Hence, PELU approved the licences for the performances. However, following the February 1999 performances, both NAC and PELU received adverse feedback that the play was offensive and misrepresented the Indian Muslim community and Islam. Thus, when Ms Thenmoli, the president of Agni Kootthu, applied to PELU on 19th September 2000 for "Talaq" to be staged in Malay and English on 28th and 29th October 2000 respectively, PELU sought the views of NAC. NAC advised PELU to seek the views of Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), as the play had attracted complaints previously. MUIS informed PELU that they had received objections to the play and recommended that PELU turn down the application. When NAC learnt of this, NAC decided to organise a preview of the play on 16th October 2000. However, Ms Thenmoli at first refused to hold the preview on the grounds that there were representatives from the South Indian Jamiathul Ulama (SIJU) on the preview panel. PELU therefore could not grant the licence for the performances. Ms Thenmoli subsequently changed her mind and agreed to a preview, which was held on 23rd October 2000. Representatives from MUIS, SIJU, Agni Kootthu and PELU were invited. Sir, the following day, NAC and the Drama Review Committee (DRC) recommended to PELU that the staging of the play could be allowed, but subject to the removal of certain references to Islam and the announcement before the commencement of each performance and in all publicity materials that "although the play is based on the experiences of an individual, it is not intended to reflect on or defame the Indian Muslim community at large". In giving its recommendations, NAC also stated that ultimately it was PELU's prerogative if it wished to place greater weight on MUIS' views. Sir, MUIS had strongly objected to the play as it contained Quranic references and religious connotations that might give the audience a wrong impression of Islam. In view of the NAC and DRC's recommendation, PELU sought MUIS' views on whether NAC's proposed conditions were adequate. MUIS replied that the conditions would not adequately address the objections raised by them, and reiterated their earlier strong objections to the play. After taking into consideration NAC's and MUIS' views, PELU turned down the application, as empowered under section 13 of the Public Entertainments Act. PELU conveyed its decision to Ms Thenmoli on 25th October 2000, two days after the preview. Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore encourages artistic expression and creativity. But artistic works must respect religious sensitivities in multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore. Artistes should be mindful of our social realities and avoid creating racial or religious tensions, as they too have a responsible role to play in helping to preserve religious and racial harmony in Singapore.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) May I, first of all, say I see that the overworked Minister of State is again asked to answer all these questions whilst the Minister is here. But that is a matter for them. But may I ask the poor overworked Minister of State, do I understand that the objections were first raised by some Indian Muslim men or an association representing them?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Sir, I do not know whether the Member heard my answer, but there were earlier performances in 1998 and 1999 in Tamil, and objections were raised.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) By whom?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) By two groups - SIJU and the Federation of Indian Muslims. These were not just individuals but complaints from the members of these two groups.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Were there any complaints from any women's organisations?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Not that I know of. I do not think there were complaints from women's organisations.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Would the Minister of State or his Ministry make public the objections by MUIS setting out how it offends the Muslim religion or the Koran?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) That is part of the decision-making process. I do not think it is up to PELU to disclose all these grounds. In fact, 11 specific grounds were given, on which the view was formed that there were references to Quranic verses and also religious connotations which would give a wrong impression of Islam. Here, because the performances were in Malay and English - unlike the earlier performances which were in Tamil where probably the audience would be a more limited one - there will be larger audiences. So this will lead possibly to people of other races having the wrong impression of Islam, having perhaps an erroneous and lower impression of Islam than what it actually is, and this may lead to misunderstanding amongst the races.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Why was MUIS not told that they were at liberty, if they thought there were wrong interpretations of the Koran or anything else, that they could come out publicly with their statement and so let us have the debate open, instead of all being decided by the "Commissar"?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Sir, it is up to MUIS if it wants to disclose the reasons, but in so far as the process is concerned, PELU has the powers and the discretion, and it has exercised it objectively and correctly. I think that is the important point - taking all views into consideration.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) First, a point of clarification. I believe the first performances of the play in Tamil were subtitled in English, so they did in fact reach a wider audience than just the Tamil community. In fact, I think, quite a few English-speaking were there in the audience and understood the play. Secondly, all of us here fully understand that we live in a multi-racial society and that we are very sensitive about not offending all our various communities with their different religious beliefs. But there is also a danger of ---
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Order. Can I ask the Member to ask her question?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Yes. How do we guard against being overly sensitive so that we are forever caught in a mind of not moving ahead when possibly we are overly sensitive to the sensibilities of certain communities? I have read the play and the context of it is very largely domestic violence.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Order. Can I remind the Member that you are not to make statements during Question time.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Yes, Sir.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Sir, I thank the Nominated Member of Parliament for the clarification. But I think we can still see a difference between looking at a play in Tamil and then reading the English subtitles and the actual play being performed in English, because for a start, I think the audience mix will be vastly different and moreover, the impact will be vastly different. Yesterday we talked about whether PELU should be the authority for arts performances. In the arts, some will argue that because of the need to balance artistic merit and also the desire of artistes to express themselves and try new things and, on the other hand, the need to ensure that some of these sensitivities we talk about are observed, we have asked PELU to look at it, do a review, and the Ministry will also be in consultation with MITA to see who should be that one-stop agency.
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) May I ask the Minister of State: does he not think seriously that this case affords the best grounds for setting up an appeals board consisting of distinguished, respectable citizens to decide on these questions?
PERFORMANCE OF PLAY "TALAQ" - (Ban) Mr Jeyaretnam missed the debate yesterday. I think we talked about it at length. He was not here. He asked many questions. I answered him and corrected some of his misperceptions. This point was indeed addressed and this review will look at whether or not panels need to be set up.
(Action by police) asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Police will consider taking action against motorcyclists who have been riding and parking on pedestrian pavements in the Central Area as this poses a threat to the safety of pedestrians.
(Action by police) The answer is yes. Traffic Police takes a serious view of motorcyclists who ride and park on pedestrian pavements. Such inconsiderate acts cause obstruction and pose a danger to pedestrians. Motorcyclists who park or ride on pedestrian pavements can be fined $70. Traffic Police has been and will continue to take enforcement action against errant motorcyclists.
(Action by police) Sir, obviously, these motorcyclists are people who are short-term delivery boys. Is there a possibility of providing short-term parking?
(Action by police) Sir, there are sufficient parking lots for motorcyclists in the CBD. I have been told that there are currently at least 1,200 URA motorcyclist lots provided in the CBD. So I think it is better for them to time their journeys so that they do not park illegally. I think the very nature of his question suggests that it is dangerous for them to do so. So I say it is better for them to time their journey and park where they can legally do so.
(Preservation) asked the Minister for Information and the Arts whether the Alexandra Hospital and the SAF NCO Clubhouse along Beach Road have been placed on the list of buildings considered to be "Gazetted Monuments" by the Preservation and Monuments Board affording these buildings a level of protection and, if not, whether his Ministry will consider doing so as these buildings are of great historical significance and worthy of preservation.
(Preservation) The Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) have done some research on Alexandra Hospital and the SAF NCO Clubhouse. During the war, on 14th and 15th February 1942, Japanese soldiers massacred an estimated 200 staff and patients of Alexandra Hospital. The hospital and NHB have already put up a plaque to mark the history of the building. PMB is studying the historical and architectural significance of Alexandra Hospital building to see if it qualifies under current guidelines to be gazetted as a national monument. The SAF NCO Clubhouse was built as a clubhouse in 1951 by the British for their servicemen. When the British withdrew in 1969, the building was handed over to the Singapore Government. It became the SAF NCO Clubhouse in 1974. From PMB's research, this building does not have sufficient historical significance to qualify as a national monument. NHB will consider installing a plaque on the history of the building at the Club.
(Preservation) May I ask the Minister what are the other criteria adopted by PMB, apart from the historical value, such as age and condition of the building.
(Preservation) Mr Speaker, Sir, broadly the criteria are in two groups. One group would be the historical aspects, and the other group will be the architectural aspects. So there are two different bodies looking at these two aspects. The one looking at the architectural aspect is chaired by somebody from URA who is familiar with architecture and so on. The two different committees will award points for the two sets of criteria and, if they meet the cut-off point, the building will be considered for preservation.
(Preservation) In order to encourage and justify certain preserved buildings for further redevelopments, would PMB consider granting them certain incentives to further redevelop such shabby buildings, for instance, by giving greater plot ratio and greater height to encourage them to carry out redevelopment?
(Preservation) Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry and the PMB are aware that there are costs involved in preserving these buildings. But I hope the building owners realise that these are important historical and national assets. As far as possible, we have tried to accommodate the requirements and the needs of the owners. For example, recently, during the opening of the MITA Building, I announced that we have come up with a new scheme known as Monuments Category II where we allow the building owners to redevelop the building so long as they preserve essential components of the building. It might be certain sections like the facade. This is following the approach taken by URA where they have conserved certain areas in Chinatown and Little India, so that the development potential of the building is preserved, the plot ratio is still allowed within the limits as set out in the Master Plan, and so on. There are two buildings which have been gazetted under this category and these are the MacDonald House where we had the bomb incident during Confrontation, and the other one is Cathay Building. In these two cases, there will be substantial redevelopment. We are only preserving the front of the MacDonald House and, for Cathay Building, we are only preserving the podium and the entrance. The Cathay Building will be redeveloped into a cineplex with seven or eight cinemas. It will be a very interesting and attractive redevelopment. But having said that, I am not so sure whether there is a need for further incentives. I think the Ministry has tried to preserve the values of the buildings in so far as to allow redevelopment within the limits of their potential under the Masterplan, but to go beyond that is something I am not sure whether Government will agree.
CAUSEWAY - (Replacement with bridge) The following question stood in the name of Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin - 8. To ask the Minister for National Development whether there was any agreement or decision made with the Malaysian Government to replace the existing causeway with a bridge.
CAUSEWAY - (Replacement with bridge) Question No. 8, Sir.
CAUSEWAY - (Replacement with bridge) Mr Speaker, Sir, we received a preliminary proposal from the Malaysian side in August this year to replace the existing Causeway with a bridge. We are studying the proposal and we have not reached any agreement with the Malaysian government on this matter.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 1.05 pm