Chua Sian Chin
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on this Bill as a person who had been in Government for many years and before that in legal practice for more than eight years and now back in legal practice. While I was in Government, I had cognizance of the shortcomings of the legal profession.”
“It is 62 members out of a total of 1,335 practising lawyers. This has brought about a situation which no responsible government can let it pass in the public interest. The Government has good reasons to deal with this situation firmly. In fact, the present amendments have only made a small inroad in self-regulation.”
“At the same time, a minority group of activists has also chosen to take on the Government by calling an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Law Society to pass fierce resolutions against the Government. This group comprised only 62 members.”
“Though he has only limited Constitutional powers and acts on the advice of the Cabinet, he is the symbol of the unity, loyalty and aspirations of the people of Singapore.”
“- to hold classes for children of his constituents. What right has he got? The PAP MPs equally have no such rights. It is the right of the Government, if they think so, to have such classes. In fact, through the People's Association, they have been holding kindergarten classes in the community centres.”
“It is the Government who says that, and the Government has the right to say it because they are responsible for the Government of Singapore. And it is not what I say or what you say. Let me turn to the Member for Potong Pasir. He also produced some exhibits which are equally bogus.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the Member for Sembawang, may I take his first point about providing courteous and efficient service to members of the public by Immigration Department officers? The Immigration Department is aware of the need to provide such courteous and efficient service to members of the public at all times. Towards this end, painstaking efforts have been made to inculcate members of the staff, especially those serving at the counters, to be courteous and helpful. All Immigration staff upon recruitment undergo a period of full-time orientation with emphasis on courtesy and the correct attitude towards serving the public. Subsequently, refresher courses and discussion sessions are also organised for the same purpose. Further, Mr Speaker, Sir, departmental circulars are regularly issued to staff to remind them of this. Any complaint of discourtesy or rudeness from any member of the public will be immediately investigated and if established appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. In 1975, only three complaints were received against counter staff in the Immigration Department. Two were found to be not true and in the third case the officer was warned. In 1976, no written complaint was received against counter staff. However, statistics are not kept on oral complaints as these are settled on the spot. Where there was truth in the verbal complaint, action was taken against the officer concerned. Perhaps the Member for Sembawang should bring to my attention if he is aware of any specific case. Coming to the Member's second question. He said, when he passed through the Woodlands checkpoint, he saw that only two channels were opened, and as a result there were long queues of cars needed to be checked.”
“In these cases careful investigation and intelligent gathering by the enforcement authorities are more important in detecting the traffickers and dealers. These, Mr Speaker, Sir, are being set up. The Member for Telok Blangah has asked me about the racial composition of the number of addicts. That is a specific question. I have no figures of it here. If he will write in, I will give him the exact figures.”
“A committee on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts has been recently appointed to evaluate and make recommendations on the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. With all these measures we are hopeful that drug addiction, especially among the young, will be checked. Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to clarify the misconception on the part of the Member for Bedok, "Operation Ferret" is also a prevention operation. It is not only a cure because, as everybody knows, if you have a drug addict at large and he is not caught and put in a rehabilitation centre, he is bound to infect his other innocent friends. There will be a multiplier effect and you get more drug addicts. In that respect it is a prevention. The hon. Member for Anson has suggested that exit control may help to prevent foreigners from trafficking drugs in Singapore in that their overstaying could be easily detected. I agree with him that exit control may help but only to the extent that foreigners seeking entry into Singapore are known to be drug traffickers. In fact, even without exit control foreigners who have been involved in, or who are suspected of, trafficking in drugs are now prohibited from entering into Singapore. Even foreigners who are known drug addicts are also prohibited from entering Singapore. However, exit control would not be of help if foreign traffickers are not known to our enforcement agencies. Drug traffickers now operate in small groups of three to five persons, the majority of whom have no previous drug records either in Singapore or elsewhere. Therefore, stringent entry control could not affect these persons who are unlikely to overstay their visits once they have completed their nefarious activities.”
“Only heroin addiction, especially among the young, has escalated during the last few years. The pattern of increase in drug addiction among youths, as reported by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, is universal. The Government realises the seriousness of the problem and is very concerned and, as I have said, it will do everything in its power to combat it. The battle against the drug problem will be fought on all fronts and, in particular, on two fronts; first, the elimination of supply and, secondly, the curbing of demand for drugs. To do this, there must be maximum cooperation or coordination amongst all the agencies involved so that there will not be serious bottlenecks, and manpower will be used to the best advantage. Our strategy, therefore, is for the Central Narcotics Bureau to concentrate on the supply side of the problem. That is, to seek out and arrest drug traffickers and pushers. As for the demand side, that is, the rounding up of drug addicts and rehabilitating them, the large pool of manpower in the Special Constabulary, Vigilante Corps, Drug Squad and the Divisional Police will be used. As I have announced earlier, this massive roundup of drug addicts, code named "Operation Ferret", will commence in April of this year when a new drug rehabilitation centre will be ready to accommodate another 800 addicts at a time. "Operation Ferret" will be closely monitored. After the first three months of the operation, we will be in a better position to estimate the population of heroin addicts, the rate it is growing and the rate at which addicts who have gone through the drug rehabilitation centre relapse.”
“With regard to the National Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign organised by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), what is called NADAC 1976 as referred to by the Member for Bedok, we regard it as very useful in creating public awareness and disseminating information on the dangers of drug taking. After the campaign SANA submitted a report to my Ministry and made certain recommendations on how to tackle the drug problem. Most of the measures recommended by SANA were, in fact, already implemented. Others have been sent to the relevant Ministries for their consideration. Now, the Member for Bedok has referred to the special committee on drug abuse among youths which was appointed in April 1974. This committee submitted its report in November 1976. The report provides useful information on the characteristics of drug abuse, young drug abusers and the cause of drug abuse. The recommendations of this committee are now being studied and will be implemented if found practical. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Bedok has said that he believes that "prevention through education" is the panacea to our problem of drug addiction. Sir, "prevention through education" can be one of the aspects in solving the drug problem but it is certainly no panacea because the drug problem is so complex that there is no single panacea to the drug problem. In fact, it must be tackled from all angles and all fronts - prevention, cure and so on. That is being done and we are doing everything within our power to do so. There cannot be any single panacea in answer to the drug problem. Mr Speaker, Sir, may I now turn to the issue of drug trafficking and how to contain addiction. This is in reply to the Member for Bedok as well as to the Member for Anson who have made certain statements earlier on.”
“The application of cold turkey treatment, a stricter code of discipline, work therapy, counselling and after-care, should motivate addicts to give up drugs after their release from the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. Those who do not change will have to be sent back to the Centre and put through a tougher and longer rehabilitation programme. The treatment of rehabilitation at the Centre was instituted after consultation with experts from the Ministry of Health and the Probation and After-Care Service of the Ministry of Social Affairs. A committee has also been formed comprising representatives from various departments and disciplines to look into the matter. Although no foreign experts were sought, treatment programmes in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States and a number of Western countries were studied, but they have to be modified to suit our needs. The Member for Bedok asked about the escape of 13 male inmates from the Rehabilitation Centre at Telok Paku in August 1976. Since then security at the Centre has been strengthened. Three watch towers have been built to enhance surveillance, a dog and mobile patrol has been introduced to deter attempts to escape. But, Mr Speaker, Sir, what I would like to stress, which has not been recognised, is that when the 13 inmates escaped from the Centre they were undergoing cold turkey treatment at that time. In other words, they had just been admitted and, as you know, Mr Speaker, Sir, when they are undergoing cold turkey treatment that is the very time when their craving for drugs is at its height. For cold turkey treatment, we now have specially constructed rooms with padded walls and, of course, the security has been enhanced. 4.30 p.m.”
“Sir, may I first deal with drug rehabilitation? Since the beginning of 1976 a tougher programme of rehabilitation was introduced. Cold turkey treatment was introduced and addicts at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre must undergo this treatment after being certified fit by a medical doctor. No replacement therapy is allowed. It is hoped that the rigours of cold turkey treatment will give them an experience which they will not forget quickly. However, after the cold turkey treatment, which normally takes about two weeks or so, addicts are given regular physical drills and exercises to instil personal discipline in them. This is necessary because most of the addicts are weak in character and lack personal discipline, or even if they had personal discipline before they would have lost it. Therefore, work as a form of rehabilitation has been introduced with a view to inculcating skill and work discipline among them. They now have to do eight hours of work a day. This will help them after they have come out from the Rehabilitation Centre to lead a normal life. The addicts are being counselled by probation and aftercare officers while they are in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. This is to establish rapport between the officers and these inmates early so that compulsory after-care after their release from the Centre will have the best chance of success. Recidivism among drug addicts before the introduction of compulsory after-care in August 1976 was high, about 70%. With the introduction of compulsory after-care, this level of recidivism should be reduced. However, Sir, it is too early to assess the impact of compulsory after-care. The situation is being closely monitored.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in that case can the Member be permitted to speak on his amendment (7) now, as subhead FAA 1101 deals with the same subject?”
“Sir, may I seek your indulgence. The Member for Bedok has moved an amendment to subhead CIA 1101. May I ask if he is going to speak again on subhead FAA 1101, Amendment (7)* which stands in his name? * The amendment standing in the names of Haji Sha'ari Bin Tadin and Dr Ong Leong Boon reads as follows: (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead FAA 1101.”
“I can assure the Member for Katong that that will be done. In fact, this campaign is not only a police campaign, but it will be a nation-wide one, involving many other departments and Ministries as well. We will not hesitate to book any driver of a Government vehicle if he commits a traffic offence.”
“With regard to offences by motorists, they include: (a) failure to give way to pedestrians at any crossing when turning his vehicle at a road intersection; (b) failing to proceed at such speed as will enable him to stop his vehicle when approaching a pedestrian crossing; (c) failure to give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings where the traffic is not controlled by a police officer or by light signals, for example, at zebra crossings; (d) failure to give way to pedestrians crossing at road intersections where traffic is controlled by light signal or police officers. The Pedestrian Crossing Rules, 1977, will come into force after the nation-wide road safety campaign in June. The penalties for any contravention of these rules are prescribed under section 82 of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92); in the case of the first offence, to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months; and in the case of a second and subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months. These are penalties against motorists, Sir, not pedestrians. For pedestrians the fines will be very much lower. The Member for Telok Blangah mentioned about a taxi driver who was horning all the way. May I tell him that it is an offence to horn unnecessarily. If only he had taken down the number of the taxi and is prepared to give a statement and bear witness, the driver will be prosecuted. Unfortunately, he has not done so. The other matter about keeping to the left is covered by lane discipline.”
“The current campaign now going on is "Overtake safely". This will be followed by a campaign on turning traffic. The underlying rationale of all these campaigns is that there should be more safety and courtesy. What about pedestrians? At the moment a good number of pedestrian crossings have been provided for pedestrians but many fail to use them. Because of this, the Pedestrian Crossing Rules, 1977, will be introduced to require pedestrians to use them. The number of pedestrian crossing facilities will be increased, particularly along arterial highways. Two main features of this proposed law are: (a) Any pedestrian who is within 50 metres on either side of a pedestrian crossing is required to make use of such pedestrian crossing for the purpose of crossing the road; (b) Every motorist is required to give way to pedestrians at established pedestrian crossings. (In other words, we have to be fair not only to the motorists but also to the pedestrians.) Under the proposed law, offences by pedestrians include: (1) crossing the road other than at an established crossing when the pedestrian is within 50 metres of such a crossing; (2) crossing other than to the parallel flow of vehicular traffic when using established crossings at signalised intersections; (3) crossing when the red man in the signalised traffic sign is illuminated; and (4) stand, sit, squat, loiter or walk on the roadway in such a manner or in such a position as to interfere with the lawful movement of traffic.”
“Sir, in reply to the Member for Katong, I am particularly gratified to note the keen interest and support he has manifested for the programme of introducing more care and discipline on our roads. This is because the battle to bring about more care, courtesy and discipline and to reduce carnage on our roads is a long and arduous one. The Member for Telok Blangah has brought up a point about keeping to the left, saying that there should be no road hogging, and so on and so forth. All these faults are noted. In fact, these are the faults that have prompted the Traffic Police to launch this campaign that will start off in June. Let me say a few things about this campaign. The road safety campaign is to be called "A Road Safety for You" campaign. During the campaign the motoring public will be advised on the proper mode of driving, after which enforcement action will be taken against violators. The most successful formula in the anti-litter campaign is that we start off educating the public with total community involvement in the campaign, and after we have given due warnings we follow up with strict enforcement. I hope that this will have the same effect. When I say "total community involvement", it will not only cover motorists but also pedestrians. School children will be largely involved in this campaign since instilling of good habit on anything, whether it be road safety or otherwise, must start with the young. As you know, Mr Speaker, Sir, the school going population consists of one-quarter of our population. As a prelude to this nation-wide safety campaign, the Traffic Police launched a series of mini campaigns on the common motoring faults. This has already started since November last year, and they are "Keep in lane", "Don't road hog" and "Give way".”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think it is true. I meet the Member here in Parliament. He has not raised the matter.”
“Sir, if the Member were to write to me on a specific case. I will deal with the matter. But I am sure that as far as Katong and Joo Chiat are concerned, they are doing fine. They are cooperating on the Project Libra.”
“Sir, may I say that these contacts should be reciprocal. So it depends on the particular constituency and particular personalities involved. The OC is under standing instruction to contact the MP. It is also for the MP and the CCC to receive him and reciprocate. So it is a two-way communication. I do not know of the particular case which the Member for Jalan Kayu has mentioned. To me it will be foolish on the part of the OC not to do so because it will make his job much easier. In fact, police work is not just enforcement. Even on enforcement, he needs the cooperation of the public to get the information to detect and apprehend criminals.”
“Sir, in response to the Member for Boon Teck, there is such a standing instruction that all OCs have to contact the MPs and CCCs because it will be foolish if they do not do so as it will help them to discharge one of their duties. As regards the white lines, we do not want to waste the time of the whole House. After this debate, perhaps the Member for Sembawang can show me the sign and I will give him a satisfactory explanation. With regard to speeding by traffic cops and performing stunts, the Member asked, "Who is to report them?" The Member for Sembawang or any of his constituents can report them. [Interruption] The Member does not know because he has not seen it. So he is spreading rumours, is he not? He should not spread rumours. If someone told him about it, then he should get the facts and make a report. On the other hand, some of these traffic cops on motorcycles may be speeding in pursuit of offending motorists. If they do so, then they are doing their duty.”
“Sir, it is not that I do not know or cannot identify traffic signs. What I meant was that I could not identify the traffic sign the Member for Sembawang was trying to tell me about because he himself said that he is a bit confused and that it is very funny. That is the reason why I cannot answer him.”
“Sir, there is a rationale why the caller should identify himself or herself. First of all, as the Member for Sembawang has brought up, sometimes when he calls for police help or for a police patrol car there is a delay, it is because at the time when he called there were so many calls for patrol cars and police help. And so he has to wait a longer time. One of the reasons why a caller should identify himself is that we have to know whether it is a genuine call and not somebody just ringing up for fun. The other point is that the caller not only has to identify himself but also to tell where he can be located, so that it is easier for the police to locate the scene of the crime or incident. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, I have two more questions to ask the Minister. Firstly, he did not answer my question relating to the complaint against speeding of Mobile Squad members. They perform speeding stunts on the road. Who is there to complain against such behaviour? If there is no such complaint, how is the Police Department going to take action to stop or to prevent members of the Mobile Squad from speeding and performing stunts before the public? That is the first point. The second point is that the Minister does not seem to be sure about the white lines drawn on the side of the road. This is rather strange. Since the Minister does not seem to know the traffic signs made by his own Ministry, then it is very difficult for people to know what they mean. Can the Minister explain to us what is the meaning of this particular road sign? In the Alexandra area, we can see these white lines drawn at the side of the road.”
“The Project Libra has been launched in the Joo Chiat Police Division with the cooperation of the Member for Katong and other MPs. If it proves successful, it will be launched in other divisions as well. The comments of the Member for Katong should certainly give an encouragement to those officers who are now engaged in this Project Libra. With regard to his suggestion that if we are to establish neighbourhood committees in the various districts we should consult the MPs and the Citizens' Consultative Committee, I assure him that that will be done, because it is only by consulting the MP and the CCC in the area can any project in the various constituencies get going.”
“Perhaps he can inform the Member for Sembawang all about the intricacies of these things. The Member said that he was a bit confused about the white lines. It is a bit strange that some of these white lines should puzzle him because somebody has told him that they symbolise stones. I myself am a bit surprised and puzzled by what he means. So I am not in a position to comment or reply to him. Perhaps he could ask the person who told him about it to clarify, so that he can write me a letter and if it is intelligible, then I will certainly do my best to explain what these white lines, which are supposed to represent stones, mean. Coming back to police and public relationship. Mr Speaker, Sir, the development or promotion of police and public relationship is not only confined to the Police Week. It is a continuous and sustained matter. a continuous matter which must be sustained all the year round. As far as the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned, the police headquarters has issued specific directives and instructions that police officers must show a good example. They have to be courteous and considerate when dealing with the public at all times. I believe there is an improvement to-date although there may be some cases where these strict directives have not been followed. But if there are cases of abuse of power and discourtesy, any MP or member of the public is at liberty to write in and action will be taken. In fact, they should be encouraged to do so. It is only when they write in that we get the feed-back, and action can be taken and the position improved. Now, coming to the Member for Katong about Project Libra. I am glad that he has highlighted this and he has, in fact, made an ardent appeal for support to this worthwhile project of social service to our youths.”
“There are many types of traffic offences. Speeding is only one of them. These drivers may not be speeding but they may be committing one of a host of traffic offences. They should also be booked, for instance, for recklessly overtaking, road hogging, not giving way to traffic, and so on and so forth. I believe the Member for Katong who sits near the Member for Sembawang knows more about these things.”
“On the other hand, we see the public urging that there should be more stricter enforcement of drivers who are erring. But it is rather odd that the Member for Sembawang has taken the opposite stand. It is rather odd because there has been too many accidents in Singapore and a lot of deaths, killing and maiming going on, on the roads.”
“The answer to that is that with the implementation of the team policing scheme in 1976 each Land Division has four to five cars on the road at any one time. Prior to this, each Division had only two to three cars on the road per shift. The Land Division patrol network is supplemented by patrol cars from the Radio Division which patrol 25 centres over the Republic and augmented by foot patrols comprising the Police National Service and the CSF. Patrol cars take action on service calls as well as perform crime prevention and detection duties. The average response time to patrol cars from the Radio Division is between 10 to 15 minutes. However, occasionally too many calls are received simultaneously and at close intervals. Under such circumstances cases are attended to in order of priority. Therefore, cases of lesser importance and urgency will have to wait until patrol cars could be spared from more urgent duties. Delays in arrival at the scene are at times attributable to traffic jams owing to the vast increase in vehicular traffic and the difficulty in locating the site because of incorrect information given by the person requesting for assistance. Now the present patrol strength is considered adequate to meet the public needs. However, the fleet and response time to calls are closely monitored and changes will be made in accordance with demands. The Member was complaining about the Traffic Police booking drivers at random. Let me say that they do book drivers at random. This is called "selective enforcement". Let me explain what is meant by selective enforcement. Selective enforcement means that they watch the motorists or drivers and if they see that they have committed an offence, they will book the person. So it may appear to be at random.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand that, but maybe I have been thinking that with so many community centres in Sembawang I often see on TV that his community centres hold quite a lot of dinners. The Member for Sembawang has brought up the point about difficulty in contacting a Police Inspector in a police station. He said that the person concerned was asked to wait for the Police Inspector, and that later on he was told that he could file his complaint to any police officer other than a Police Inspector. May I say that Police Inspectors are not supposed to stay in the police station all the time. A Police Inspector has got work to do and much of his work is done outside the police station. If any member of the public were to go and make a complaint, it is not necessary for him to see the Inspector. There are other senior officers like the sergeant to whom he can make a complaint. In fact, members of the public are welcome to go to the police station and make complaints. Therefore, I do not think it is necessary to set up a complaints bureau in every police division. We have already got the Central Complaints Bureau. I think quite a number of complaints against police officers are sometimes channelled through the Central Complaints Bureau. It is, therefore, not necessary for the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Police Department to set up a complaints bureau in the various police divisions because it will be just a waste of manpower and a duplication of the facilities which already exist. The Member for Sembawang has said that there are not sufficient patrol cars on the road. He mentioned the case where it took more than half an hour for a patrol car to arrive at the scene when he telephoned for one.”
“There is no dinner. I do not think it is necessary to have dinners. The Member for Sembawang has suggested that the Police Inspectors in the various divisions should socialise with community leaders and MPs in the various constituencies. In fact, there has been a standing order to all OC Divisions that whenever police officers are transferred to a certain division they should contact the MP and get to know him and the community leaders. Sometimes they also attend certain functions. For instance, when there is a campaign against crime police officers are invited by the community leaders to go to the community centres to give talks and so on. That is the way they socialise and get to know community leaders and MPs better. Of course, sometimes they are invited to dinners, but I do not think they should be encouraged to go to dinners otherwise they will not be able to keep their waistline trim.”
“Suspects and accused persons in police custody are advised not to sport long hair. With regard to traffic lights, of all the 235 traffic lights in Singapore, 60 are in the City district and they are synchronised to give a simple green wave system. For example, the traffic lights at Bras Basah Road, Orchard Road, Stamford Road and Robinson Road are synchronised and the traffic lights at Cantonment Road, Keppel Road junction and Tanjong Pagar junction are also synchronised. However, the traffic lights at Keppel Road/Anson Road junction will be synchronised this year with the completion of the extension of Shenton Way from Palmer Road to Anson Road. I hope that will satisfy the Member for Anson. 3.30 p.m. Let me turn to the Member for Sembawang. The Member spoke about police/public relationship and the good response the public had given to the Police Week programmes and he asked whether they will continue. For his information, the Police Week programmes will continue and, in fact, this year we will have another Police Week in June. In fact, the Police Week programme and the fostering of good relationship between the police and the public have resulted in some success. There are now more civic-conscious members of the public ringing 999 to give information to the police on the incidence of crime, and some have even gone so far as to aid victims of crime. We are also receiving more information from the public to help the police in the detection and arrest of criminals. As for the programme for this year's Police Week, there is an arrangement for a harbour tour and party for the under-privileged children, inter-community and inter-school sports, and band displays. An hon. Member: And dinner.”
“The Member for Anson has spoken about unscrupulous financial operators manipulating in banks. I do not know whether he has any direct evidence. If he has, I would like to have any details from him and we would investigate. But as far as we are concerned, these unscrupulous persons are found in every country where they feel there is a fast buck to be made. Particularly in Singapore when it is growing as a financial centre, it is inevitable that these unscrupulous operators will attempt to make quick profit at the expense of Singaporeans. We are aware of this and plans are being made to strengthen the Commercial Branch of the Police. It is now a division of the CID headed by a Superintendent and staffed with professionals, such as lawyers and qualified accountants. There are plans to strengthen this further to meet the threat posed by white-collar criminals, and this has been set out in the Addendum on the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the situation is continuously being monitored and the Government will not hesitate to enhance penalties should this become necessary. With regard to computers, at the moment the police criminal records are already on computer. These computerised records are useful aids to police investigation and men on the ground are now able to screen suspects in a matter of minutes without having to take the suspects to the Criminal Records Office. With regard to Government's policy against males sporting long hair, it still stands. We have not forgotten about it. This policy is strictly enforced in all Government departments and disciplinary action is taken against Government officers sporting long hair. In keeping with Government's policy, members of the public sporting long hair having business with Government departments are dealt with last.”
“That is ISD, and not CID. As far as CID is concerned, there is no immediate plan to rehouse it elsewhere. In fact, plans have been drawn up to renovate the building and to improve the accommodation so that the part which the ISD has vacated will be occupied by the CID. I do not know whether it is in the Anson constituency but anyway the Member can rest assured that the CID will be there for quite some time. With regard to the Police national servicemen - the part-time SCs and VCs -we have at the moment over 7,000 SCs and over 7,500 VCs attached to the various police divisions. They are doing good work in doing patrols to prevent crime in the various divisions. With regard to equipment - walkie-talkies and patrol cars - these 7,000 SCs and 7,500 VCs are using about 772 walkie-talkie sets. However, I agree that owing to this increased number of foot patrols there is at the moment a shortage of these sets and as a result funds are now being sought from the Ministry of Finance to buy additional sets. With regard to the police telephone exchange, the Police Force have got a PABX Exchange. At the moment, it has 40 exchange lines which service the whole Police Force. Each of the eight land divisions have three exchange lines and three direct lines. During peak periods these lines are insufficient to cope with demands and, therefore, it would be extremely difficult at such times to contact certain officers in police stations. However, when the Home Affairs Ministry headquarters shifts to Phoenix Park in the latter part of this year, its existing PABX will be taken over by the police. As a result, the police exchange will then have 53 exchange lines which would help ease the congestion during peak hours and emergencies.”
“The recent' relocation of the Kandang Kerbau Police Station to Toa Payoh Town and the proposed resiting of the other Divisional headquarters stations are done to achieve the following objectives: (1) to provide at the doorstep of large Housing Board estates police service and other amenities within the wider meaning of community service; (2) to provide speedy response to public calls and prompt investigation; (3) to prevent criminal activities through police presence; (4) to provide a psychological boost to residents that police assistance/protection are readily available; (5) to provide a base for strengthening police and public cooperation. On the specific question as to whether we have plans to establish a police post or substation at the old Kandang Kerbau Police Station site, we have none because the present site is required for urban renewal. Police coverage of the Kandang Kerbau area is being adequately undertaken by radio cars and team policing patrol cars. With regard to the removal of the CID building from the present site, I do not know where the Member for Anson got his news because as far as -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let me answer the last speaker first, the Member for Anson. He has given another bouquet to a certain section of the Police Force about combating crime. I hope he is not throwing a drop of ink into a bucket of milk! He asked whether when rebuilding old police stations and relocating them in Housing Board estates we have given consideration to the various factors and what are they. Let me explain, first of all, that for policing purposes Singapore is divided into eight land divisions. Each Division is served by a headquarters station and when necessary supported by sub-stations and police posts. The siting of these old police stations that were built during the colonial era was done in the then centres or concentrations of population, that is, along arterial highways. Since then, Sir, there has been tremendous redevelopment and urban renewal in the Republic, resulting in massive shifts of population. Thus, the majority of the existing Divisional headquarters stations are not only old and need to be rebuilt but are also no longer strategically situated to be maximally effective operationally. As revealed in the Addendum to the Presidential Address, these will be resited within the next five years. The divisional boundaries of the police divisions will also be re-demarcated.”
“Sir, it will not be cost-effective and in most cases the checking will be a waste of effort and might even result in undue inconvenience and embarrassment. This, of course, is not desirable. The ISD has been able to identify communists and anti-national elements in these organisations through its intelligence work. Intelligence is also gathered largely from painstaking investigation and interrogation of detainees. For this work I agree that the ISD need more staff. In fact, the department is still in the midst of correspondence with the Ministry of Finance to get more staff. Sir, with regard to the other points on drug consumption and rehabilitation, I shall reply to them when the various subheads pertaining to the Central Narcotics Bureau are raised for discussion.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the Member for Anson, let me first take his comments on the ISD. First, the Member has commended the ISD for having done a good job in the last few months in tracking down and exposing communists and anti-national elements. I wish to thank him for his word of appreciation. I am sure the ISD officers concerned who had worked very hard would be very much encouraged, particularly when it is not very often that the Member for Anson gives bouquets in a debate in the Committee of Supply. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, to his suggestion that the ISD should be expanded to thoroughly check all Government departments, schools and tertiary institutions because "at the moment we do not know who is who", I would like to point out the difference between just identifying a person and identifying a communist or anti-national element in our midst. The Police or the ISD has little difficulty in identifying persons through identity cards, passports, finger prints, etc. However, identifying a person who is a communist or an anti-national element is quite a different matter. Firstly, these elements do not operate openly but in a clandestine manner. They go about their subversive activities by hiding their real intentions and objectives. When confronted, they will not voluntarily own up their involvement unless the ISD knows of their involvement and is able to confront them with evidence. Secondly, the ISD would require a very large pool of manpower to keep a watch on each and everyone in Government departments, schools or tertiary institutions in order to identify who are communists and anti-national elements and who are not.”
“Those who are interested must generally have worked at least a few years in Singapore before they can apply. The following Questions Nos. 9 and 10 stood on the Order Paper: ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN (Construction of primary and secondary schools) 9. Mr Yeo Toon Chia: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs and Education the number of primary and secondary schools to be constructed at Ang Mo Kio New Town and when they are expected to be completed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Employment Passes were issued as far back as 1959 and no records were kept in the earlier years. Prior to 1974 there was also no distinction between applications for new Employment Passes and applications for extension of Employment Passes. I will therefore give only the statistics from 1974 onwards. During the last three years up to 28th February, 1977, the Immigration Department received a total of 31,351 applications for new Employment Passes. Out of this total, 29,666 were approved. A total of 13,893 applications for extensions were also received of which 13,793 were approved. During the same period, a total of 1,919 Employment Pass holders applied for permanent residence in Singapore. 1,321 of these were approved. Those refused were mainly on grounds of: (i) lack of qualifications; (ii) lack of working experience; or (iii) the type of qualifications or skills possessed by the applicants being not in short supply in Singapore. The figures supplied do not include the Employment Passes granted to holders of work permits processed by the Ministry of Labour. In case the Member may be wondering why the big gap between the number of people granted Employment Passes and the number of people applying for permanent residence, let me explain that the grant of permanent residence, being the first step towards the grant of citizenship, is more stringent than the grant of Employment Passes. It stands to reason, therefore, that not all Employment Pass holders are eligible to apply for permanent residence. Further, many of the Employment Pass holders are here to work only and are not interested to take up permanent residence. They, of course, do not apply for permanent residence.”
“Sir, these reminders are being published twice annually in the newspapers, carried over radio and TV. SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CHANGI CONSTITUENCY 10. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether an integrated secondary school will be built in Changi Constituency not only for children in Changi but for children from Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong as well.”
“It is not possible to send to all because not all of them will have identity cards, particularly the category of minor citizens who are abroad. Some of them do not hold identity cards.”
“Sir, in answer to the Member for Anson, the publicity is given over the radio, TV and in the newspapers.”
“Sir, I just cannot understand the Member for Kampong Chai Chee. I was just referring to a category of people who had not done national service and that they had not done national service because they were not in the country and they had not gone to take the oath of allegiance when they reached the age of 21. That is all that I have said. I am not implying anything further.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that statement of mine has been made after very careful thought. I do not know whether the request from the Member for Kampong Chai Chee was made after serious consideration on his part. I am not saying that every one of them did not take the oath because he wanted to evade national service. What I said was "some of them." And it does not mean that when a person has reached the age of 18 he will automatically do national service or, if he has not done national service, he would not have to do national service later. I think it is quite obvious that those people whom I am referring to are those who have gone abroad at the age of 18 and below and are still abroad. And when they reach the age of 21 they have not returned. This is the category of persons I am referring to.”
“Then it would be easier to address them a letter for the return of their identity cards.”
“Sir, I have some of the figures here. The majority of those who lost their minor citizenship have reapplied. In 1974, of those who reapplied, 17 were approved; in 1975, 169 were approved; and in 1976, 77 were approved. Sir, as some of them are genuine cases of failure to take their oath, they were given sympathetic consideration and, in fact, some of them were given priority consideration. But before approving their citizenship applications, they have to satisfy the various requirements needed. For example, they must have the normal residence of 10 years out of the 12 years preceding their application; that they are of good character and that they have family roots in Singapore.”
“Nevertheless, the following measures have been taken all along by the Registry of Citizenship to remind minor citizens to take the oath of renunciation, allegiance and loyalty on reaching the age of 21: (i) A reminder on the need for the oath taking, in the four official languages, is stamped on the back of all citizenship certificates issued to minor citizens; (ii) At the time such certificates are issued, the attention of the parent or guardian is drawn to the oath taking requirement; (iii) Singapore passports, both international and restricted, issued to minor citizens are valid only up to their 21st birthday and will not be renewed unless the holders have taken the oath; (iv) Since July 1973, a press statement has been issued bi-annually in June and December to remind minor citizens to take the oath. This statement is carried by the TV, radio and by the newspapers; and (v) Minor citizens serving national service in the SAF are also reminded by the SAF to take the oath at the appropriate time. The above measures should be sufficient to remind minor citizens to take their oath. If they fail to do so, they have themselves to blame. I might add that citizenship is a serious matter for the minors and their parents to make the effort on their part to remember to take their oath. If they do not, it is an indication that they do not seriously value the citizenship or treat their oath of allegiance to our Republic seriously. They have one full year in which to take their oath.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, let me state that minors who become Singapore citizens by descent or by registration are required under the Singapore Constitution to take the oath of renunciation, allegiance and loyalty within 12 months on reaching the age of 21 years. Failure to comply with this legal requirement will make them automatically lose their citizenship. It is not possible to reinstate their citizenship once it is lost by reason of non-compliance with this constitutional requirement. Such persons may, however, apply again to be registered as citizens. In 1976, a total of 34 applications were received under this category. During the last six years, the number of persons who failed to take the oath and had lost their citizenship was as follows: 1971 - 135 1972 - 150 1973 - 122 1974 - 84 1975 - 86 1976 - 67 The figures indicate that the problem is a diminishing one. I also wish to point out that some could have failed to take the oath deliberately for various reasons, such as to evade national service. In 1976, 24 of the 67 who failed to take the oath were known to have done so deliberately. It is not practical to send individual reminders to minors about the need to take the oath because many of them were registered as Singapore citizens at a tender age, often below one year old, and it would be extremely difficult to contact these persons, particularly if they are residing overseas and do not possess Singapore identity cards. Even if reminders were to be sent, those who failed to take the oath could always claim that they did not receive the reminders and thus put the blame on the Government for their own failing.”
“Dhanabalan asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many applications for citizenship result from minor citizens who through ignorance fail to take the oath of allegiance on attaining the age of 21 years and whether, instead of calling up such persons and taking away their pink identity cards and issuing them blue identity cards, a procedure can be established to inform such persons individually of the need to take the oath of allegiance and to administer such an oath immediately instead of causing them to join the queue of applicants for citizenship.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, various measures have been taken to check and book drivers of earth-carrying lorries speeding along Jurong Road. These measures include the use of radar speed traps. patrols by the Traffic Mobile Squad and the use of unmarked pursuit cars. The Police is also studying the feasibility of introducing a more sophisticated radar instrument which automatically records on film the registration plate numbers and speed of vehicles which travel faster than the speed limit. In 1976, 338 lorries were booked for speeding along Jurong Road. In January and February this year, 30 of such lorries have been booked for speeding. It is apparent that more has to be done to instil a sense of road discipline in drivers. Besides more vigorous enforcement, there will be a sustained campaign to educate the drivers on the dangers of speeding and reckless driving. SERANGOON GARDEN ESTATE (Request for Police post) 8. Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education if a police post can be located at Serangoon Garden Estate to facilitate contact between the police and the residents. Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, crime within the Serangoon Garden Estate has been relatively low. The Police therefore has no plans to establish a Police post in the area. Radio Cars and Team Policing Patrol Cars patrol the area daily. All Radio and Team Policing Patrol Cars are equipped with radio communication sets which are linked to Police Radio Division and the Paya Lebar Police Station respectively. In addition, Team Policing Patrol Officers are also equipped with walkie-talkie sets to enable them to communicate with their Divisional Headquarters Station. SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP (Applications from minor citizens) 9. Mr S.”
“NATIONAL STATISTICAL COMMISSION OF SINGAPORE (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.02 p.m.”
“Sir, it is not possible to give special consideration to applicants for citizenship who claim to be born in Singapore but are unable to produce their birth certificates or other conclusive evidence of birth in Singapore. Otherwise there will be thousands of people claiming that they were born in Singapore. During the re-registration for laminated identity cards in 1966-67 some 1,050 holders of Singapore identity cards were found to have obtained their cards by using other person's Singapore birth certificates. Since then similar cases have come to light. During the last three years. 81 identity cards had to be cancelled because the holders had used other persons' birth certificates to claim birth in Singapore. However, the Government has sympathetically given special consideration to applications from blue identity card holders who are the only members in their families who are not citizens. This category of applications will, by and large, include those who were genuinely born in Singapore but are unable to produce proof of their birth in Singapore. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.00 p.m. TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Trade Unions Act (Chapter 129 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Pang Boon); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed SUPPLY BILL "to provide for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to meet the estimated expenditure for the public services of Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1977, to 31st March, 1978", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“The Member for Moulmein has called the Government to be a little more liberal in granting citizenship to more deserving cases who are holders of Singapore blue identity cards. The Member for Kolam Ayer has called for a total review of citizenship policy especially in respect of those holding blue identity cards for more than 10 years. Permanent residents, especially if they are blue identity card holders and are the only members in their family who are not citizens, are already being given special consideration. In 1976 this category accounted for about 40% of all the citizenships approved. As for a review of citizenship policy, I wish to reassure the Member for Kolam Ayer that the criteria for assessing applications are reviewed when circumstances change. However, such reviews must be within the framework of the tenets which have been stated in Parliament before. Briefly, these are: (1) The granting of citizenship is not a right but a privilege; (2) In considering applications for citizenship, the economic and social problems of the Republic must be taken into account; and (3) The main criterion is that every non-citizen who becomes a citizen must be an asset and not a liability to our Republic. 3.30 p.m.”
“Since the introduction of the death penalty for drug traffickers, nine have been sentenced to death. Another 30 persons will face the death sentence if they are convicted in the High Court. The full impact of the death penalty will only reach the drug traffickers when the first of their kind who has been sentenced to death is actually hanged. This will take some time because of the process of appeal in our judicial system. In the meantime so long as there is a strong demand for drugs the traffickers will still find the business attractive. The Government has worked out a new strategy to hit hard at both the demand and supply sides of the drug problem. The less specialised, more labour-intensive work of rounding up drug abusers and drug addicts will devolve largely on the Police, the Special Constabulary and the Vigilante Corps. The Central Narcotics Bureau will then have more time and resources to concentrate on drug traffickers and pushers. The CNB has established a Surveillance Unit with handpicked officers and advance radio communication equipment. I should mention at this stage that I will soon be introducing amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act to give the necessary powers to the enforcement agencies and to remove obstructions in dealing with drug abusers and drug addicts, Steps are being taken to convert some old quarters into another Drug Rehabilitation Centre. As soon as this is ready, "Operation Ferret" will be launched to round up drug abusers and addicts on a large scale. This is absolutely necessary if we are to prevent them from infecting others and spreading further the drug epidemic. Finally, the subject of Citizenship.”