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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“The law will be changed if they are found to be inadequate. Let me assure hon. Members that the problem will be approached from all angles and it will be dealt with as comprehensively as possible. It will cover all road users. Not only bullies driving heavy trucks and buses will be brought to book but also mindless and reckless young scooterists, and motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic lanes and motorists who treat the roads as race tracks will find themselves taken off the roads, by having their licences suspended for their own safety as well as of others. To achieve this, the Points Demerit System will be revised so that offences such as inconsiderate, careless and dangerous driving will, carry more penalty points. In fact, this systematic campaign has already started. A series of mini campaigns through the press and RTS have already commenced by the traffic police since October last year. Each of these mini campaigns has a theme such as "No Reckless Overtaking", "No Road Hogging", "Give Way to Pedestrians", "Keep in Lane" and "How to Turn Right". This will culminate in a nationwide campaign in June to be called "Road Safety For You". There will be a Road Safety Exhibition initially at the Victoria Memorial Hall and subsequently at selected community centres. Publicity will be given through films and slides over TV, posters and other material. It will also cover jaywalking. School children will be extensively involved in these campaigns. Now let me turn to another deadly business. drug trafficking. The Member for Changi expressed the view that drug traffickers are not taking seriously the death penalty which they must face if they are caught. He has asked what further steps the Government intends to take against drug traffickers.”
“If the driver and passengers of the small vehicle are killed, there is every likelihood that he would get away scot-free if there is no other eyewitness to the collision No wonder, therefore, that he suffers from the mentality that "might is right" and having little courtesy and caring less for other road users The Member for Punggol, unfortunately he is not around, in supporting the sentiments expressed by the Member for Kallang cited two hypothetical examples in which the driver of the heavier vehicle would be unfairly penalised under the proposals to change the law. I am afraid he has not completely understood the changes proposed. Let me, therefore, hasten to assure him that under the new proposals the drivers in his two hypothetical examples would not be penalised simply because they are not in the wrong. If the driver of the heavy vehicle is not in the wrong, he can easily rebut the presumption by telling the truth of what happened. The intention of the change is not to put difficulties in the way of the driver of the heavy vehicle but to prevent him from getting away scot-free when he is, in fact, in the wrong because there are no other eye witnesses to the collision except himself. With regard to the proposal to suspend the licence of the driver in a fatal accident who is charged in court, let me point out that a person is charged in court for dangerous driving only when there is a prima facie case against him. We must make every effort to stop this senseless killing and maiming on our roads by introducing more discipline, care and courtesy among all our road users. This will be done in the next three years by systematically educating our road users both young and old. and following it up with tougher enforcement of the law.”
“In May 1969 a motor van after overtaking a scooter from the left callously swerved into the scooterist's path and stopped suddenly. The scooter could not stop or turn in time and as a result of the collision the scooterist was killed. The driver of the van was charged in court but was acquitted because there was no eye-witness. Thus the driver of the larger vehicle escaped unhurt and unpunished. Some 3 1/2 years later in May 1972 the same driver, may I repeat, the same driver, killed again. This time there was "overkill". The truck he was driving collided head-on with a small car. wiping out four members of a family of five, including both father and mother who were in that car The sole survivor of that unfortunate family was a 13-year old boy who became an orphan Some hon Members will recall this very tragic accident at Bartley Road which was published in the newspapers. Fortunately there was an eye-witness who was willing to come forward to testify. The killer-driver was subsequently convicted in court and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with 10 years of disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles. These two cases illustrate clearly that the driver and passengers in the vehicle of a lighter class are much more vulnerable in a collision with a vehicle of a heavier class. On the other hand, the drivers of these heavy vehicles like trucks. buses. oil tankers, timber lorries, mobile cranes and cement mixers, know that in any collision with a smaller vehicle they will be quite safe in their driver's cabin a few feet from the ground.”
“Sir, the Member for Kallang says that there is an "overkill". I agree that there is "overkill" but not in the proposal to change the law. The "overkill" is that which lies on our roads. Nowadays it is not an unfamiliar sight to see dead bodies lying on our roads after a motor accident. We must put a stop to this by using every means at our disposal. If the law is inadequate to meet the situation we must not shirk our responsibility to change it The acid test of whether a law is good or adequate is whether it is effective in achieving a good social end. It should not be judged on the basis of some preconceived hypothetical concepts of what is equitable or not. The crux of the matter here is not discharging the burden of proof in a court of law or having a driving licence suspended, but the killing and maiming of human beings that must be prevented In each of the last three years the number of road fatalities hovered around 288 This means that on average there were three deaths on the roads in every four days Are the large and small vehicles equally responsible? The heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks represented 6.7% of all motorised vehicles registered in Singapore as at the end of 1976. However. they were involved in 35.5% of all road accidents Almost 30% of these accidents resulted in death. These heavy vehicles therefore had much more than their share of accidents and fatal accidents. There are numerous cases of road fatalities in which the offending driver cannot be charged in court or is acquitted by the court because there is no eye-witness. I would like to mention two cases pertaining to a driver which will best illustrate why the present proposal for change in the law has been made The consequences of the inadequacy of the law were indeed very tragic.”
“It is not an isolated proposal but it is part of a series of new and more vigorous measures which included greater efforts in educating road users in the highway code. culminating in a nationwide "Road Safety For You" Campaign in June 1977. This will be followed with vigorous and stricter enforcement to cut down the carnage that is going on on our roads.”
“Member for Leng Kee, while stating that hardcore communists should be severely dealt with, has suggested that students and youths who had been misled into supporting the communists should be given a chance to correct themselves. In answer, may I just refer to what I said in a TV interview in the programme entitled "Year-End Roundup 1976". And I quote: 'in the security operations, the powers of detention under the internal Security Act were used discriminately. Only the hardcore and those who refuse to recant their communist involvement were issued with Orders of Detention. The students who were released went back to their studies. Those who had superficial involvements were called up together with their parents and warned of the dangers of associations with communist subversives.' However, this programme was broadcast during the midst of the 1976 General Elections, I am sure the Member for Leng Kee was busy campaigning at that time and must have missed the programme. Turning to road safety I must confess that I am somewhat disappointed that only a few Members had any comments or suggestions. However, the Member for Kallang had raised some points which need to be answered. He criticised the proposal to change the law to put the onus on the driver of a larger vehicle to prove that he was not in the wrong in any collision between a larger and a smaller vehicle. He said that it was an example of "legislative overkill". He contended that the drivers of smaller vehicles like motorcyclists and scooterists could be equally at fault. He called for the problem to be tackled by other measures such as education. stricter enforcement. more severe punishment for those found guilty. In answer, let me first put this proposal for change in the law in its proper perspective.”
“He had suggested that internal security measures taken are still inadequate and not thorough enough. He referred to G. Raman and asked why was it that he had not been arrested earlier since he was a communist some time ago. The answer is that G. Raman did come to our security notice quite some time ago. But it is not necessarily the best strategy of combating communist subversion by making an immediate arrest once a single communist has been identified. We should first try to identify his associates so that they also can be taken in. On this, we have to exercise great care and thoroughness in our investigations to ensure that the wrong persons are not detained. Otherwise our action will be counterproductive. I do not think I should go further than this in my explanation lest we unwittingly give away information of our strategy to our enemy. What I would like to emphasise here is that the real test of the effectiveness of our Internal Security Department is not whether communists and other subversive groups continue to exist but rather whether they are identified and dealt with before they can do any real harm. On this, Sir, the records of ISO's achievements not only in the present G Raman's case but also in smashing other underground communist groups and network speak for themselves. The hon. Member for Khe Bong has also suggested that information be gathered from Government departments. I do not know exactly what he has in mind. But I would like to assure him that no effort has been and will be spared to gather information of security interest not only from Government departments, schools, but also elsewhere. The ISD will continue to take periodic security action to pre-empt the communists underground and keep them on the run. The hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, several points have been raised by hon. Members concerning the Ministry of Home Affairs. I will now deal with them subject by subject. First, on internal security. Sir, I am gratified to note that among the subjects under Home Affairs, internal security was the subject which received the most attention. All those who spoke on it agreed that the communists are and will remain the main threat to Singapore's internal security. Some Members rightly stressed the need for vigilance not only on the part of the authorities but also amongst our people. This is crucial because the communists will use every means at their disposal to subvert individuals and organisations and use them to advance their cause. To achieve their objectives they will not hesitate to employ every form of deceit and treachery, use violence and commit any crime including murder. They believe in the philosophy that the end justifies the means. They operate clandestinely through their underground network. When they have ensnared sufficient numbers of open front leaders in mass organisations to act as their proxies above ground, then they would launch what is known as a Communist United Front offensive and create strikes. riots and instability as in the 1950s and early 1960s in Singapore. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken great pains to publicise and expose their machinations after every major security operation. It is hoped that this would educate our public and keep them constantly on their guard against attempts at subversion by the communists. The hon. Member for Khe Bong managed to draw laughter in this House when he spoke on internal security. However. there are one or two points that he raised which are serious and need to be replied to.”
“Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he is aware that pupils in some schools were unable to get certain textbooks from their school bookshops or other bookshops and what steps his Ministry will take to ensure that textbooks are readily available either at the school bookshops or other bookstores to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to parents of having to hunt for books.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of applications for Singapore citizenship under consideration as as 1st February, 1977 was 25,110. Of this number, some 15,000 or 60% have been outstanding for three years or more. However, some 6,800 of these outstanding applications are, in fact, repeat applications from persons who have applied again after their previous applications had been rejected. Nonetheless, they add to the backlog. The number of applications received and the number of applications dealt with during the last three years are as follows: Applications Applications Year Received Dealt With Difference 1974 7,897 4,248 3,649 1975 7,144 8,400 1,256 1976 7,706 11,552 3,846 These figures show that in 1974 there was an addition to the backlog of 3,649 applications. However, in 1975 there was a net reduction of the backlog by 1,256 applications. Last year the backlog was reduced by a further 3,846 applications. Since March 1975 a committee has been meeting weekly to assess applications before submitting them to me for a decision. This has speeded up the process. In addition, my officials are currently reviewing the powers of the Registrar of Citizens with the view to delegating to him more powers to approve applications which are straight-forward and satisfy clearly laid down criteria. However, I must explain that there is a limit to which the processing can be speeded up. This is because many of those whose applications have been rejected re-apply almost immediately. This means that the faster they are rejected the faster they rejoin the so-called backlog. SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS 7.”
“Sir, if only I knew how he did it. SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS (Choice of medium of instruction) 16. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what special circumstances, if any, are taken into consideration to allow principals flexibility in the choice of the medium of instruction for the teaching of Science and Mathematics.”
“Sir, by both. It has got to be chopped, and after it has been chopped it has got to have a signature on it.”
“Sir, to state the fact. The photostat copy was provided 20 days after we requested for it from the British authorities. However. I am not in a position to say when such a photostat copy was made. Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, the Minister talked about passport forgery. How was it done? Was it by handwriting or by rubber stamping?”
“Sir, it is of little consequence how Tan Wah Piow's backers feel on this matter, The question is, are they in a position to influence others in Singapore to act like Tan Wah Piow? I would think they would not meet with more success than they have had with Tan Wah Piow. The political situation in Singapore does not favour the clumsy disruptive activities of types like Tan Wah Piow.”
“Sir, perhaps the Member for Punggol may be right there. However. I am in no position to say further to what I have already stated.”
“Sir, there may be a few wayward youths who may try, but for them to succeed in going through British immigration they must have backers who are capable of helping them. Every year thousands of our youths report for national service. They have a stake in the future of Singapore and are willing to do their share to defend that stake. I believe few would think of escaping national service, much less forging passport endorsements with very little chance of escaping detection either on departure from Singapore or on arrival in London, especially without an entry permit.”
“It is reasonable to infer that Tan Wah Piow received help to make his journey to London and to obtain an entry certificate to stay in the U.K, for six months on a passport with a forged extension.”
“He was convicted for rioting and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. He has served his term. Immediately after his release, he was granted, at his request, three days' compassionate leave before reporting for National Service. He absconded. According to the law, absconding from National Service is not an extraditable offence. But we have now evidence from a photostat given by the British authorities that he has committed forgery with regard to his passport. Forgery is an extraditable offence. However, we should await the decision of the British authorities as to whether they will be prosecuting Tan Wah Piow since he has used an expired passport with a forged extension to enter the U.K. I am advised this is a criminal offence under British law. If the British authorities decide to overlook this offence and we decide to ask for Tan Wah Piow's extradition, we shall request British cooperation to give us evidence as to when and how Tan Wah Piow entered the U.K, and that he used his expired passport with a forged extension. Members may recall that when Tan Wah Piow failed to report for National Service, the Police, after consulting the Ministry of Defence, offered a reward of $50 for information leading to his arrest. If anything, he is now worth less.”
“Evidence of the forgery include the following: (1) the signature appearing on that endorsement is not that of any of the two officers who were authorised to sign such endorsements in October 1 974; (2) contrary to the established practice of the Immigration Department, the endorsement did not indicate that a fee for the endorsement was paid; and (3) contrary to the established practice of the Immigration Department the endorsement did not show the number of the required Exit Permit from the Ministry of Defence. How Tan Wah Piow was allowed to enter Britain, I do not know. Photostat copies of Tan Wah Piow's passport showed that he did not go directly from Singapore to the U.K. He could not have got through Singapore airport or any other checkpoint undetected with his expired passport. According to the press. Tan Wah Piow claimed he slipped into Malaysia. We do not have any other evidence of this for his passport was not endorsed either in Kuala Lumpur or Penang airport or any other exit checkpoint in Malaysia. The endorsement of the passport showed that he arrived in Thailand on 12th June, 1976, and stayed there until 23rd June. 1976, when he flew off from Bangkok. He then proceeded to Amsterdam before arriving at London on 30th June. 1976. 3.30 p.m. It was reported that he entered U.K, and was given a permit to stay for six months. It is well known that those who wan~ to visit the U.K, for six months have to apply to a British embassy or high commission for an entry certificate. The grant of an entry certificate is not automatic, and it is unlikely that a forged passport extension would go unnoticed. As to what action the Government intends to take. the question is whether we should have him extradited and on what grounds. Let me recount Tan Wah Piow's position.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, soon after Tan Wah Piow absconded from National Service in October 1975, our Immigration Department established from their records that his Singapore (International) passport had expired. His passport was issued on 4th March, 1969. Its validity was extended on 13th March, 1974 to 18th October, 1974 with a clearly impressed endorsement that no further extension could be made except by the office of issue which is the Immigration Department. This was because Tan Wah Piow was in the call-up age and had to produce to the Immigration Department an Exit Permit from the Ministry of Defence before any further extension could be considered. No application was received by the Immigration Department for an extension beyond 18th October. 1974. On 21st October, 1976, the press reported Tan Wah Piow's appearance in London. It stated that Tan Wah Piow had entered the U.K, on a Singapore passport. Since Tan Wah Piow's passport had expired, it was evident that he must have tampered with his expired passport. We requested and obtained from the British authorities photostat copies of Tan Wah Piow's passport. The British authorities have now given us a photostat copy showing an endorsement on the last page of Tan Wah Piow's passport dated 24th October, 1974, purporting to extend the validity of his passport to 4th March, 1979. The photostat showed it to be forged.”
“Sir, the answer is yes. TAN WAH PIOW (Entry into Britain) 15. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education if he will enlighten this House as to how Mr Tan Wah Piow, who had absconded before reporting for National Service, managed to enter Britain; whether Mr Tan had valid travel documents. and if so, how were they acquired, if not, how was he allowed entry into Britain in June. 1976; and what action, if any, the Government intends to take against Mr Tan.”
“Sir, the answer to that question is already contained in my original answer where I stated that the measures planned were as a result of consultation between the Traffic Police and other relevant departments. And one of the relevant departments is the Ministry of the Environment which is in charge of drainage.”
“Sir, I suppose the Member for Potong Pasir meant that there should be no floods. I believe that is a question which I think my colleague. the Minister for Law and the Environment, would be in a better position to answer,”
“Sir, I do not know whether the Member for Potong Pasir is referring to the 1st November floods. If it is so, the Police acted as fast as they could. The Member would remember that it was a flash flood. It came very suddenly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in consultation with other relevant Departments, the Police has identified areas prone to floods and traffic congestion following heavy rainfall. It has drawn up some diversion routes to by-pass these areas. Motorists have also been advised what they should do in case of heavy and incessant rain leading to extensive flooding. The information has already been given wide publicity in the press and over television and radio. Briefly, motorists are urged not to use their vehicles when there is extensive flooding. If they have to use their vehicles they are advised to plan their routes in advance and listen to radio reports on the flood and traffic situation so as to avoid the flooded areas. They are asked to drive carefully and observe diversion signs. During incessant and heavy rain the Police will monitor the flood and traffic situation and give frequent situation reports over Radio Singapore. Similar announcements will also be made by the Rediffusion. Police personnel in the Divisions and the Traffic Police have been briefed on the diversion routes drawn up for them to direct traffic during severe flooding of the roads. Directional signs have been made and they will be placed at strategic junctions to guide the motorists. As before. Police Reserve Units have been assigned to respond to calls for rescue operations. They will be deployed to remove fallen trees and other road obstructions and assist commuters and motorists. Now, more Police Reserve Units will be deployed for this purpose. The Police has also been given authority by the Road Transport Action Committee to lift the Area Licensing Scheme (ALS) temporarily if and when flood conditions warrant it. The temporary lifting of the ALS will also be announced over the radio and Rediffusion.”
“It involves two Ministries, and therefore I am not in a position at the moment to give him a date. But I can say this: as soon as the proposals have been agreed upon.”
“As I have stated, the proposals are now under consideration by the Ministry of Finance, and as soon as approval is given they will be purchased.”
“Initially, the Police Emergency (999) calls, criminal records and crime statistics will be computerised on real-time basis if the feasibility study undertaken jointly by the Police and the Computer Service Department finds the cost justifies it.”
“Sir, the Hon. Member for Anson had asked similar questions during the Budget Debate in March this year. I had then informed the House that there was a Committee comprising senior officers to constantly review police equipment and keep them updated. This Committee has recently completed a review and has recommended the purchase of a range of police equipment at a cost of $770,000 to enhance the effectiveness of the Police Force in combating crime for the present as well as for the future. The proposal is now under consideration in the Ministry of Finance. Among the equipment proposed to be purchased are communication equipment for the Marine Police and Police Reserve Units, improved-quality gas masks and head-gear, walkie-talkies for the commanders of the Police Reserve Unit troops and new anti-riot gas equipment. Every regular police officer is also being equipped with better and more effective handguns, after having undergone training in "combat style" shooting. I had also earlier reported that a Scene of Crime Unit was established in 1975 to undertake specialised investigation at the scenes of serious crimes. This Unit will apply forensic science for more effective investigation and detection of criminals. A proposal to purchase scientific equipment, including a van equipped for collection and analysis of evidence at the scene of crime, is now under consideration in the Ministry of Finance. The estimated cost of the equipment and the van is $70,000. The Police Force is also looking into the feasibility of using computers at the Computer Service Department for police work to detect and combat crime on a 24-hour basis. The new computer recently installed at the Computer Service Department is capable of providing on-line retrieval and real-time processing.”
“Sir, in December 1975 the Malaysian authorities asked us for information we had on Samad Ismail's communist activities in Singapore. Ii early January 1976 we supplied them with information from our security files on Samad lsmail. I understood that the Malaysian authorities were conducting investigations on Samad Ismail. In February 1976 we informed the Malaysian authorities of the pro-communist activities of Hussein Jahidin and of the probable involvement of Samad Ismail. In June 1976 we informed the Malaysians of the results of the interrogation of Hussein Jahidin and Azmi Mahmud. I cannot say whether the Malaysian action was brought forward by the admissions of Hussein Jahidin and Azmi Mahmud during interrogation. What I can say is that, on common security problems, there is close cooperation between the Singapore Internal Security Department and the Malaysian Special Branch. CRIMES (Equipment to combat) 10. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education (a) whether it is proposed to acquire new and modern scientific equipment to better equip the Police to combat criminals who use new techniques and equipment; and (bi what new equipment are being purchased during the current financial year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the photographs of communist terrorists in their jungle camps released by our Ministry of Home Affairs on 27th May, 1976 were seized by our Internal Security Department from detainee Ong Geok Huia from her rented room at No, 24 Kay Poh Road. Singapore, on 26th February, 1976 The Malaysian Special Branch did, on 24th April, 1975, give our Internal Security Department some photographs of communist terrorists but these were different from those seized and released by our Ministry of Home Affairs. ARREST OF SAMAD ISMAIL BY MALAYSIAN AUTHORITIES 9. Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education to throw some light as to whether, as some people in Singapore and Malaysia believe, the Malaysian authorities' arrest of Samad Ismail, Managing Editor of New Straits Times Malaysia in June 1976, was brought about as a direct result of our arrest of Hussein Jahidin and Azmi Mahmud of Berita Harlan Singapore as they had implicated Samad Ismail.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is such a possibility, but it is a remote possibility. PHYSICAL FITNESS OF STUDENTS (Improvement of) 7. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education, in order to raise the level of physical fitness of our students, if he will consider introducing compulsory mass Morning and Evening Physical Exercise in all Morning and Afternoon Primary and Secondary Schools. The Minister of State for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, daily mass callisthenics have been a requirement for all primary schools since 1974. Music has been prepared for these exercises and set movements have been developed. Not all schools, however, have been able to comply with the requirement because of limited space and play area. Secondary schools are not required to have mass callisthenics because of a more specialised physical education programme. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BILL (Statement by the Minister for Law and the Environment) 2.47 p.m.”
“Sir, under section 10(1) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, it is provided that the surname to be entered in the birth certificate to be issued to a child born in Singapore shall ordinarily be the surname of the father of the child if the child is legitimate. If the child is illegitimate. then either the surname of the mother or both the surnames of the mother and the father, who consented to the use of his surname, will be entered in that child's birth certificate. Section 15(1) of the Third Schedule of Part Ill of the Singapore Constitution provides that the citizenship status of an illegitimate child shall follow that of the mother. If illegitimate children are registered at birth bearing the surname of the purported father there can be abuse in cases where the mothers are not Singapore citizens. In such cases. citizenship can be acquired for the illegitimate children by arranging for Singapore citizens to claim fatherhood for these children. In cases where the mother of the illegitimate child is already a Singapore citizen, there is no risk of abuse and we can allow such illegitimate children to be registered under the father's surname by consent of both the mother and father. Action will be taken to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act accordingly.”
“Sir, "Tikam Tikam" is a relatively minor offence of gaming in public. Nevertheless, operators of "Tikam Tikam" are dealt with under Section 7(4) of the Common Gaming Houses Act (Chapter 96). A person found guilty of such an offence is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both. The Police Department is aware that "Tikam Tikam" still exists in Singapore after its intensified action against the operators had brought down the number of such conviction to an all-time low of two cases in 1972. The illegal activity has picked up again. The Police has been taking action against the operators to prevent it from mushrooming to the same scale as prior to 1967 when complaints were received from almost all school authorities. In 1975, 28 persons were prosecuted for "Tikam Tikam" offence, of which 27 were convicted with fines imposed totalling $4,287. During the first four months of this year, seven persons out of eight prosecuted were convicted. Six of them were fined for a total amount of $3,900 and the other person was sentenced to 1 8 months' imprisonment, without a fine, for committing the offence a second time. The penalty provided under Section 7(4) of the Common Gaming Houses Act (Chapter 96) is adequate deterrence for would-be "Tikam Tikam" operators. Police action against "Tikam Tikam" operators will continue. CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK (Registration) 6. Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education if he will consider permitting children born out of wedlock to bear the fathers' name when they are registered at birth, with the written consent of both the parents.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, persons who emigrate generally do not declare their true intention to the Immigration Department. The Department comes to know that a person is emigrating or has emigrated to a foreign country when: (i) he informs the Department, or (ii) he has withdrawn all his money from the CPF, or (iii) he applies from a foreign country for renewal of Singapore travel documents after having stayed in that country for several years. The Immigration Department therefore does not have statistics of persons who have emigrated but do not fall under any of the categories I have enumerated. However, on the basis of whatever record the Immigration Department has, it shows that 55 professionals emigrated during 1 97275. Of the 55 professionals, there were 21 management personnel. 1 6 technicians, six teachers, five engineers, four mathematicians, two nurses and one accountant. An obvious omission in these statistics is the number of doctors who have emigrated. This shows that the doctors who have emigrated did not inform the Immigration Department, did not have a CPF account, or did not need to renew their Singapore travel papers. The Department will have more comprehensive figures when Exit Control is introduced. This will be done when the new Checkpoint at Woodlands is completed. The bulk of the 55 professionals emigrated to Australia. The breakdown by country is as follows:- (1) Australia 41 (2) Canada 8 (3) USA 3 (4) UK 2 (5) India 1 None of the 55 professionals has applied to return to Singapore. "TIKAM TIKAM" OPERATORS (Action against) 5. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he is aware that "Tikam Tikam" has reappeared in Singapore recently and if he will take action against the operators.”
“This is to require the Corporation to adopt certain financial procedures to provide for the appointment of an auditor to audit the accounts of the Corporation and for other matters connected therewith. Sir, I beg to move, Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.04 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 1976, seeks to amend the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation Act. 1 972, for the following purposes: (1) To regularise Government's contribution towards the retirement benefits payable to an employee of the Corporation for the years of service he has rendered to Government under the former Guard and Escort Unit; (2) To make provisions for the Corporation to adopt certain financial procedures. Sir, the Corporation is required under the law to bear all rights, liabilities and obligations relating to the Guard and Escort Unit immediately before the coming into Operation of the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation Act, 1 972. However, Government has agreed, in line with the policy governing transferred employees of other statutory boards, to contribute to the retirement benefits to a CISCO employee for his service while serving the Government under the former Guard and Escort Unit of the Singapore Police Force. This arrangement is currently given in a Letter of Undertaking from the Permanent Secretary. Ministry of Finance, to the General Manager. CISCO. It is necessary, now, to make provisions under clause 2 of the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 1976, to regularise this payment by Government. The present Act also lacks detailed provisions to deal with the appointment of auditors, powers and duties of the auditors, keeping of financial records and submission of financial statements to Parliament. With the concurrence of the Auditor-General and consistent with the policy applicable to statutory institutions, it is now proposed to add a new schedule to the Act.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1976 to 31st March, 1977 and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1976 to 31st March, 1977, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“That will be one of the factors to be considered.”
“With regard to the question whether old people should not be granted citizenship when their children are in a good financial position to support them, my answer is that each case should be treated on its own merit. In such cases we have to be careful to ascertain that the children are not only able to support them but they will also, in fact, do so in the future. They may say that they are in a financial position to support their parents now, but in future they may not be able to. We must therefore be satisfied, for instance, that the motive of grant of citizenship is not to make the old parents after having been granted citizenship, to become eligible for admission to one of our homes for the aged. The Member quoted the case of a boy who is doing national service and who has yet to acquire citizenship. As I have mentioned earlier, serving national service is one of the, criteria for grant of citizenship. If the Member could supply me with particulars of the case. I will look into it, The number of applications approved and refused in 1975 was 6,347 and 2,053 respectively. Applications pending as at 31st December, 1975 stood at 30.097 but three-quarters of these are actually re-applications after their previous applications had been refused.”
“The total number of citizenship applications received in 1972 to 1975 was 33.666 or an average of 8.420 per year. Many of these were actually re-applications after previous applications had been rejected. In the same period, 1 8.559 applications were approved and 5.070 cases rejected. Others are still being processed or under consideration. The Member referred to the fact that there is only one Division I post in the Registry of Citizens. According to him, this does not reflect the importance which the Government attached on citizenship matters. I would like to state here that the Registry has an approved establishment of 57 posts, some are mainly involved in the processing of applications, interviewing applicants and so on. But citizenship policy matters, besides being handled by the Registry of Citizens, are dealt with by the senior officers of my Ministry headquarters. Many applications are also considered by the headquarters staff and decided by me. Some cases even go up to the Cabinet for a decision. The Member can therefore be assured that the subject of citizenship is accorded the importance and consideration which it deserves. Let me turn to the Member for Anson. I am glad that the Member for Anson agrees that the granting of citizenship is a privilege and not a right and that the main basis of grant of citizenship is that the applicant will be a national asset and not a liability. Length of residence is but only one criterion. Loyalty to the State is expected of the citizen. However, if later he proves to be disloyal to the State in any way, his citizenship will be revoked.”
“Sir, thank you very much, We can go on to citizenship after the debate on Shonan. In reply to the Member for Sembawang, let me state that in the interest of the citizens of Singapore as a whole, it is extremely unwise to liberalise the grant of citizenship. The Government's basic policy on citizenship, that is, grant of citizenship, should be a privilege and not as a right, and there should be restriction in the granting of citizenship by taking into account the social and economic problems of the Republic. Further, citizenship must be regarded as something of great value. We cannot give it to anybody who applies for it, just because he applies for it. However, the Government has more recently speeded up the processing and granting of citizenship. This has resulted in more persons being granted citizenship last year. A total of 6.347 applications were approved last year compared to only 3,989 in 1974. I am sure this will gladden the heart of the Member for Sembawang, although in principle nothing has been liberalised. The Member for Sembawang has quoted cases of two of his constituents who are unable to obtain citizenship. If he had given me the full facts of these two cases earlier. I would be able to give him the full reasons now. However, from the scanty facts he has given, it would appear that both of them do not qualify for citizenship since in the first case the applicant could not produce satisfactory documentary evidence of birth or stay in Singapore, and in the second case, the birth certificate produced was not genuine. May I tell the Member for Sembawang that being allowed to vote during the general elections by mistake does not qualify the person for citizenship. The Member for Kim Seng asked several questions. May I just reply to him.”
“For this age group, drug education and rehabilitation is important to prevent the spread of drug abuse. This is a long-term preventive measure and the results will take some time to be seen. Drug addicts are now sent to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre for varying periods of six to nine months. If necessary, the period may be increased to a year or more. While undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre, the addicts are given replacement therapy. However, we have come to the conclusion that this soft approach has not been very effective and the recidivism rate among the addicts has been high. We are now proposing to introduce the "cold turkey" treatment whereby the addicts will undergo withdrawal without being given replacement drugs. Compulsory aftercare may also be introduced. These measures should help to reduce the recidivism rate among addicts who are subsequently released from the Centre. The Central Narcotics Bureau carries out an average of 72 raids per month last year. I can assure the Member for Anson that several of their notable trafficking cases were obtained as the result of intensive and painstaking investigations and undercover work over a protracted period of weeks and sometimes even months. The Bureau also carries out routine raids on suspected drug haunts.”
“Sir, the problem of drug abuse is a global one. Many countries in the world are grappling with an increasing drug problem. In particular, heroin abuse is predominant in neighbouring countries where there are illicit heroin laboratories. Singapore is therefore right in the midst of a region which appears to be the chief supplier of the world's illicit narcotics. As such, the spillover effects of what was originally a drug that was merely trafficked through is now being felt, that is, an increasing number of our people are now consuming and taking heroin. Supply and demand of drugs and abuse are both equally important factors to be considered in combating the drug problem. In Singapore, the availability of heroin supplies and the very fast turning-on process peculiar to heroin abuse has contributed to a phenomenal heroin abuse. Last year, 2.263 persons were arrested for suspected offences related to heroin alone. Since the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act, 1975, which introduced the death penalty was passed in December last year, a total of 33 persons were prosecuted for trafficking in morphine and heroin and 12 persons for trafficking in opium and cannabis. In the same period, 262 abusers were charged for possession of or consuming various drugs. But out of the 33 persons arrested, seven will face the death penalty when they are brought to trial. The old established drug trafficking syndicates have all been broken up by the use of the provisions of detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act. However, there are persons who are always willing to take the risk for quick money. Of the 3,048 persons arrested for suspected drug offences last year, 73% were under 30 years of age; many were, in fact, under 20 years.”
“Even if we concede that lift-attending is one of the roles, it is not possible to man all the 2.000 lifts. If we are not able to man all the 2,000 lifts, which housing estate should we begin manning the lifts . . Redhill, MacPherson, Kim Seng or Sembawang, if there are lifts there? Sir, I think there is enough debate on this. The stand is quite clear.”
“Sir, of course, if I can please Hon. Members, I will certainly do so. Of course, it is very easy to say things which are popular. It is not that we do not consider these matters sympathetically. But facts are facts. We are an over-crowded island Republic and we cannot encourage people to come in numbers more than we can manage. That is why we have very strenuously been trying to keep down the population growth in Singapore. It is not that we are unsympathetic to human plights and humanity. As the saying goes, charity begins at home. First of all, the responsibility of the Singapore Government is to look after the livelihood and the future of the vast majority of the citizens of Singapore. I do not want to indulge in emotional appeals. But let me say that sometimes, in order to protect the interests of the majority of our citizens and of Singapore, we have to be quite strict in the application of our policies.”
“Well, the Member for Bras Basah did not bring it up.”
“Sir, may I just clarify. When I say that the husband must support his wife, I am just making a general statement. If the wife can also work and contribute to the family income, of course, the situation will be different.”
“Sir, the Member for Telok Blangah said that he had brought up this point again and again. My reply is, Mr Deputy Speaker, there is no point in my repeating it again.”