DR. K. KIRAM.THYPATHY,
LANKA DISPENSARY, 42 Serangoon Road.
Singapore, 20th June, 1946.
The Secretary,
Iunicipal Constitution Committee,
Singapore.
sir,
I have the honour to submit the following suggestions to the new Municipal Constitution Committee, Singanore;-
Politics should be strictly excluded in the administration of the Singapore Municipality.
2.
Membership of the Municipal Council should be at least 24 excluding the President, who should necessarily be a senior Government (Civil) scrvent who will be prepared to give service in continuity. Ordinarily the Presidentship will be the retiring post. The membership of the Council should not be chosen un cummunol or religious besis. Men of experience and integrity should be appointed. The method of appointment should now be by nomination by the Government and business interests, and not by religious or advisory Boards such as the Chinese, Hindu and Mohammedan Advisory Boards. The Municipality could always without prejudice soek advice on particular religious and relevant questions from these Boards. The term of office by each Commissioner should be at least 5 years as the Committee work of the Administration entails a good deal of study - retrospective as well. Representation on a word system may be later introduced..
3.
At present, the island of Singapore is under three heads of administration; viz
(1) Government including semi-Government Boards (S.H.B.) arcas.
ii) Military, Naval and Air areas
(iii) Municipal areas.
I suggest that the whole island of Singapore must be under the Municipality for matters Municipal: water, gas, electricity, prevention, control and treatment of infectious and contagious diseases including Port Health duties. The transport and traffic licencing and judicial (Municipal Courts), Hawkers, licencing and control as well as judicial, the internal Food Control of the whole island should be in the hands of the Municipality.
The Postal, Customs, Police, Education and Hospitals excluding treatment of infectious and contagious diseases, Administrations must be under Government as a unified system would be necessary for Singapore and the Malayan Union.
The Markets, licencing and control of food and drink shops, Hawkers, licencing and control of all Veterinary work should also be in the hands of the Municipality for the whole island of Singapore (including the adjacent islands).
Dual control should be avoided. Emphasis should be laid on the fact that the Municipality collects certain revenues and serves civic purpose's - politics being entirely a matter of Government.
I have the honour to bo, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Signed ?
20th June, 1946.