.jpg)
Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 11. May 29, 1975
News From malaysia & singapore
News From malaysia & singapore
14-4-75
Front wins by 136 Votes In Merbok By-Election.
Encik Hashim, the Front's candidate, polled 5,418 votes to defeat Partia Sosialis Rakyat's national president, Encik kassim Ahmad, by a slim majority of 136 votes. In Sungei Patani, Mentri Besar Dato Seri Syed Ahmad Shahabuddin suggested that Kedah Umno set up a special committee to carry out a post-mortem on the Front's poor showing in the by-election. NB: In the last general election the National front candidate, Encik Mansor Akil, whose death last February necessitated the by-election, defeated the Partia Sosialis candidate, Encik Ahmad bin Yahaya, by a majority of 4,775 votes.
7-5-75
Lee's Attack on Australia's Immigration Policy
Mr Lee Kuan Yew yesterday launched a blistering attack on Australia's immigration policy, protesting that the country was creaming off the talented professionals of Asia. He said he would not mind losing carpenters, masons, plumbers, but they Can't get into Australia. In Canberra, the Australian Foreign Affairs officials summoned the Singapore High Commissioner to the Department. In a note to the High Commissioner, the Australian Goverment said that it felt the Mr Lee's criticism should have been made through the proper channels.
6-10—5—75
Pull Out of NZ Forces From Singapore May Have Its Problems
Major units of the New Zealand Force stationed under the five-power defence arrangement are likely to remain for the next two years years before withdrawal moves begin, said NZ Defences Minister, Mr W.A. Fraser. He said: "New Zealand's forces have been stationed in the Malaysia-Singapore area now for about 20 years, and there are particularly difficult problems to be faced in returning 1,000 personnel and their families (about 14,000 dependents) to New Zealand." For the NZ Defence Department, service in Singapore has been a major enticement in recruitment. In commenting on remarks made by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Tizard) that NZ troops in Singapore are to be withdrawn, Mr Rowling said that the troops have not been told to pack their bags. He said that the withdrawal of the New Zealand forces had been discussed fully with Mr Lee Kuan Yew about a month ago. At that particular time in NZ, Lee claimed that he was having his holidays.
10-5-75
Close Fight Likely for Umno Posts
The elections to the policy-making Supreme Council in KL on June 21 are expected to be closely contested. More than 100 names have been submitted for the the three posts of vice-presidents and 20 seats in the Supreme Council. Those nominated include incumbents Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Encik Abdul Ghafar Baba and Petronas chairman Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
14-4-75
Singapore Workers Told: Don't Job-Hop Just For An Extra Dollar
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Toh Chin Chye, reminded Polytechnic graduates not to abuse employers' confidence by jumping from one job to another "for a few more dollars". "Such a practice not only gives graduates a bad image but also makes employers suspicious of the loyalty of future graduates " he said.
16-4-75
Insurance Company Workers on Strike Over Pay Pact
K.L. — About 170 workers of the American International Assurance (AIA) offices throughout the country went on strike in a dispute over their collective agreement. The workers are members of the National Union of Commercial Workers (NUCW). The Union's general secretary said the union had 14 meetings with the management, three at the Ministry of Labour and Manpower. "At all the meetings, the company did not try to reach a compromise in any way," he said.
6-5-75
Postment Set Deadline for Claims
Ipoh — The Union of Postal Uniformed Staff may resort to industrial action if the Public Services Department does not approve its claim for four different allowances by September. Its general secretary, Encik Mohamed Idris Fuji Muthairin said that the PSD has only agreed to two of the four allowances. The union will decide on its next move to give a favourable reply. There are 2,700 members in the union throughout the country, mostly postmen.
10-5-75
American Marine Strengthens Singapore Yard
The American Marine Group has closed its Hongkong plant, and is now consolidating its ship-building activities in its Singapore plant. There will be no increase in the work-force in Singapore, since sales are still bad. Last November, it retrenched 500 workers after laying off 900 out of its 1,000 work force for two weeks in October following 'poor business'. Singapore was chosen as the consolidating point, because the fibre-glass boats built here are smaller and cheaper than the larger, wood pleasure boats built in Hongkong.
NB: Probably the main reasons are the ineffectiveness of the workers' unions and comparatively cheap labour in Singapore compared with that in Hongkong.
11—5—75
Opposition to New Factories Law Grows
The associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce today opposed the Industrial Co-ordination Act which requires all manufacturing companies to take out licences from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Act, which requires this to enable proper records to be kept and to facilitate orderly development of the industries — includes the prohibition of the transfer of licences without approval from the Minister, and manufacturers are not allowed to substitute, add or delete any existing product stipulated in the licence without approval.