Hansard · Official report
Hansard, 1988-05-25
The text
PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT Under the provisions of clause 2(d) of Article 46 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the following Members have been granted permission to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any Committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated:- Mr Chew Heng Ching (Kaki Bukit) - from 23rd to 24th May, 1988. Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng (Joo Chiat), Speaker - on 26th May and 31st May, 1988. Mr Heng Chiang Meng (Jalan Kayu) - from 27th to 30th May, 1988. Mr Chua Sian Chin (MacPherson) - from 27th May to 25th June, 1988. Mr Lee Yock Suan (Cheng San), Minister for Labour - from 30th May to 8th June, 1988. Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs - from 7th to 11th June, 1988. Dr Tay Eng Soon, PBM (River Valley), Minister of State, Ministry of Education - from 14th to 19th June, 1988. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker Parliament of Singapore
ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - GEYLANG EAST BRANCH LIBRARY asked the Minister for Community Development when the National Library at Geylang East Avenue 1 will be opened and what facilities will be provided.
ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - GEYLANG EAST BRANCH LIBRARY Mr Speaker, Sir, the Geylang East Branch Library will be opened in late July 1988. It will be air-conditioned and has an initial collection of 100,000 books in Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. It has also an initial audio-visual collection of 1,110 audio visual items including video tapes, audio cassettes and compact discs. The book loan system will be computerized. Readers will be able to access the Library's collection and reserve books by using the on-line Public Access Catalogue. Its other facilities are similar to the other branch libraries, eg, a multi-purpose hall, an open exhibition area, offices and meeting rooms.
BILLS INTRODUCED - PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL "to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 218 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (Mr Goh Chok Tong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed.
TOWN COUNCILS BILL "to provide for the incorporation of Town Councils to control, manage, maintain and improve the common property of housing estates of the Housing and Development Board, their constitution, functions and for matters incidental thereto", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That this House -
supports the firm action of the Government to prevent our country from being subverted whether by Marxists, communists, western powers or other foreign interest groups, (b) deplores, in view of recent disclosures, all foreign interference, particularly that of some United States' officials, in our domestic affairs, (c) calls upon the Government to be vigilant to all such groups and stop them from interfering in our domestic affairs, and (d) endorses the Government's detention, under the Internal Security Act, of the people involved in the attempt to subvert Singapore." Sir, recently, incidents of Marxist intrigue groups and foreign forces attempting to interfere in our domestic affairs have, one after the other, been exposed. This shows that various kinds of subversive forces, left or right, internal or external, are once more on the move and trying to destroy our political stability and internal security. These forces represent different political ideologies, different groups and interests. But they all harbour undisclosed political objectives. What pains one's heart is the fact that in the face of such diverse kinds of external subversive threats, there could even be some Singaporeans willing to be runners for foreign interests, to the extent of treacherously collaborating with them in total disregard for our national interests. Fortunately, the Government took speedy and decisive actions, exposing the intrigues, arresting the subversive elements, stalling black operations from spreading further and preventing internal security and national interests from being damaged. All this should get the whole-hearted support of all our citizens. Sir, why have these subversive forces of various kinds and hues suddenly become active in the past two years? This calls for our study. I believe there are three reasons. The first, of course, is that they believe that the general election is round the corner. This is one chance in four or five years for them. The second reason is that the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, may announce his retirement on reaching the age of 65 by the end of this year. The third reason is that they know that the political leadership of Singapore is presently at an important juncture of transition. The transition stage is usually a delicate stage. Therefore, the intriguers and subversive elements have come out in full force prospecting for opportunities and loopholes to cause unrest, create disturbances, fish in troubled waters, foster influence or lend support to puppets to serve their future interests. With the appearance of the Marxist intrigue groups, we know that the communist party and the leftist forces have not given up their attempt to seize political power through force and violence, in spite of the fact that the present socio -economic conditions are not in their favour. This group of schemers have connections with Tan Wah Piow who has connections with Malayan communist leaders. This is an indisputable fact. Some partakers of the intrigue might have really been made use of without being aware of it. However, it is manifestly clear that the activities of the schemers endanger national security. They do not use bullets or arms. But if their united front work of infiltration of churches and student organizations, etc, succeeds, great damage would have been done to our social fabric. People would not doubt that the activities of this scheme might bring about possible danger. What the people doubt is whether this group of schemers really have any political belief or principle or whether they are entirely devoid of any principle, but can be easily manipulated and made use of by others and are so malleable as to be easily swayed in their ways. When in detention they spoke in one way, after their release and rearrest they spoke in different ways, retracting and reasserting on different occasions. If this kind of people take hold of the reins of government, can they contribute any good to our country? If you say it is the handling of the ISD that has produced this result, how is it that there is somebody who has been in detention for over 20 years and yet remains very intransigent? Sir, however, in the present circumstances, the focus of attention of our people has been transferred from the marxist intriguers to the question of interference by foreign powers in our domestic affairs. We have seen from Government exposures, how western powers, particularly the USA, make use of Singaporeans to carry out subversion and to interfere in our domestic affairs, attempting to sway the course of our political development. This, once again, reminds us that the foreign powers are forever interested in and fixing their eyes on this little island of ours for its geopolitical and strategic value. Therefore, whatever it is, the Government must tighten its vigilance. At the same time the people must also always be on the alert to avoid being made use of by any foreigners. The recent instance of some US Government officials trying to interfere in our domestic affairs has aroused strong anger in our people against their demeaning behaviour. Beginning with Patrick Seong instigating some former detainees to issue a joint statement to the exposure of a grand scheme of collusion between some local Opposition elements and some Americans, the whole course is like the accidental discovery of white ant leading to a big termite nest buried underground. The whole intrigue of the Americans is to buy over and cultivate some professionals who are opposed to the Government and disgruntled with the present conditions, and help them enter Parliament. If this scheme had not been discovered in time, there might appear in Parliament a group of puppets subservient to and controlled by the foreigners. Outwardly, they may be playing the role of the Opposition, displaying the ploy of support for human rights and freedom while, in fact, serving foreign interests. How dangerous it is. Can we allow such incidents to happen? Mr Speaker, Sir, what needs our study is: what is the purpose of the Americans in attempting to interfere in our domestic affairs? What are their objectives? Obviously, to help set up an Opposition in Parliament is not their ultimate objective but is only a means, a facade. I think the real objectives are political, military and strategic. However, whatever they may be, their undercover actions will be damaging to our political stability, damaging our internal security and will be damaging our independence and our sovereignty. Is it a small matter? Can we tolerate it? If a girl in a bus is being molested by a sex maniac, if the girl does not shout out but keeps quiet, then the molester will go a step further to take more advantage of her. Therefore it is necessary for one to shout and get the molester arrested with the help of others in the bus. Therefore, as regards the mean tactic of the Americans, we must loudly condemn it in unison and tell them in no uncertain terms to lay off.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Mr Speaker, I think the Member is treading on very dangerous grounds. To say that the Americans are attempting not really to set up an Opposition presence in Singapore but to destabilize Singapore and cause damage and political instability, I think there is no evidence to that. The Americans are a friendly nation.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Mr Chiam, will you listen to me! You will be given an opportunity to have your say afterwards. So allow Mr Goh to carry on, please. Will you please sit down? In time, you will have your say.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the reason is very simple. If we do not stop such interfering and subversive activities, then the result will be that our national interests and security will be damaged and our sovereignty and stability will be affected. Can't the Member for Potong Pasir not understand that? In international relationship, big countries, particularly super powers interferring in small countries is a fact in international life. So as a small country, we should prevent such interference from having its way. If we cannot do that, then we will be inviting endless trouble. We can just look around at those small countries that have been interfered with by bigger powers, say, some countries interfered with by the United States, such as South Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Phillippines, Nicaragua, etc. Is there not one of such countries being left with endless troubles? Sir, the incident of Hendrickson has reminded us that even a friendly big power would also interfere in our internal affairs, not to mention about those unfriendly nations towards us. From history we can know that many small countries, usually because of internal disturbances, disorder and social and political instability, they have given the opportunity for bigger countries to interfere in their internal affairs, against which they were too weak to resist. In recent years, internally we have been united and there has been political stability. Therefore bigger powers could not have the opportunity to lay hands on us. But now the Hendrickson incident has shown that there is a small group of opportunists who for their own purposes have gone to the extent of selling out national interest. They even colluded with and brought the wolves into our rooms, so to speak. This is what we should guard against with vigilance. The Americans tried to manipulate Singapore's politics, this is not the first time. The tactic used this time calls for our attention. It is an under-cover tactic, using the mass media, press and the so-called human rights organizations and such like groups to spread their propaganda ---
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT There is already an American announcement that they do not officially manipulate Singapore's politics. Now he is touching on this point.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT The Americans can defend themselves.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT I am not defending the Americans. But there is already an official announcement to that.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Mr Chiam, will you please allow Mr Goh to carry on? You can argue about that later on in your speech.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT But he cannot go on uttering untruths in Parliament. The Americans have already said that their government officially is not interfering in Singapore's politics. Now he comes out and says ---
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Point of order, Mr Speaker. I think Mr Chiam is completely out of order in interjecting in this manner. He has his chance to speak. He will speak afterwards.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Carry on, Mr Goh.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, thank you. I am very disap- pointed that the Member for Potong Pasir seems to be so very anxious to speak on behalf of somebody else. Anyway, he will have his opportunity. So he need not be so very anxious. Just now I was saying that the foreigners have certain ulterior motives. But in order to cover up their objections they put up a facade, making use of the media of information such as press and human rights organizations and so on to spread their propaganda and to cover up their activities aiming at damaging the Government's image, making it appear as dictatorial, suppressing public opinion, taking actions against human rights, suppressing innocent citizens, suppressing the opposition parties and freedom of speeches and so on. All these are tactics of covering-up and a kind of psychological warfare. The purpose is to destroy Singaporeans' psychological defence in order to create doubts in their minds against the Government, hence reducing its support and to drive a divisive wedge between the people and the Government so as to enhence their chances of planting some opposition candidates in the Parliament favourable to their interest. How sinister are their designs! But, I believe the people of Singapore are not so stupid as to fall into the trap. Their eyes are bright and discerning. We all know that a strong and judicious Government has been the main factor in the stable development of our country in the past years. Following the development of recent events and with the mask of each individual being taken down one by one, now we can see the tail of the fox appearing. We can now clearly see the true looks of the schemers, the opportunists and the subversive elements. For this, we should give credit to the Internal Security Department and also should we give credit to the Internal Security Act which such subversive elements want so very much to scrap. If Patrick Seong, Francis Seow and the others have not been detained under the Internal Security Act and being investigated, we might not have been able to find out in time the underground termite heap. And if we had not destroyed the termites in time, then the foundation of our social security might have been eaten through and our house may collapse. The ISA has proved to be the most effective weapon against subversive activities. So, it is not strange for such elements to want to get rid of ISA, which is a stumbling block to them. The Marxist-intrigue group and the Hendrickson incident have shown that in spite of foreign human rights organizations and foreign mass media that are against us and had been shouting and creating such a hullaballoo, saying "the wolf has come", however the Internal Security Act still remains an indispensable factor in ensuring our internal security. It is a must in maintaining our internal security. On the contrary, we have seen that those engaging in subversive activities even though appearing like sheep and shouting "wolf" all day long are all wolves in sheep's skin. Undeniably the Internal Security Act is a two-edged sword. If the person in charge of it is not a proper one, abuse of the Act may happen. However, we cannot do away with the ISA just because there is any probability that the Act can be abused. The correct safeguard against the probability of abuse is the setting up of a measure and mechanism to ensure this safeguard. There is in existence such a mechanism, ie. a Committee of Appeal with a Judge as its Chairman. This is a helpful insurance. However, in the final analysis the best guarantee is a good and judicious elected Government that is true and faithful to the country and to the people, working for national interest. The achievements of Singapore today and the good living standard enjoyed by Singaporeans today are all due to the toil and efforts of the people in the past two to three decades. The foundation for all these achievement has been internal stability and unity of the people. All our people basically have their own flats. They have their own jobs and savings. Their children are receiving good education. We do not wish to see the stability that has brought forth all these, shaken and insecure because of subversive activities and foreign interference. We would not like to see our efforts and fruit go to waste due to national unrest. We do not want to see our future and our children's future losing protection and we do not want to see that one day we all become refugees! Today the subject matter before us is not the question of human rights, not the question of freedom of speech or the question of opposition parties, but the matter of the threat to internal security and the question of our sovereignty and integrity being interfered with or intruded upon. So, if we cannot preserve our security and if we cannot protect our sovereignty and integrity, we shall not have any future to talk about, what then is there to talk about human rights or freedom? As elected representatives we should clearly state that we resolutely support the Government in maintaining internal security against any foreign interference. Our internal affairs are for ourselves to manage. Nobody else should interfere with. Our destiny lies in our own hands. We need no foreigner to decide for us. I fully believe that at this hour we and our people have the same identical stand. In unison and with patriotic spirit we shall all be up against external intrusion. So I will avail of this opportunity to earnestly appeal to the opposition parties, particularly the MP for Potong Pasir, to discard party rivalry and prejudices, stop making misleading and confusing talks, but for the sake of national interests, bravely come forward to support this motion.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Mr Speaker, Sir, the debate on this motion standing in the name of the Member for Braddell Heights is long overdue. The issue at hand is one of ---
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Mr Chng, can I propose the Question first before you speak? Mr Chng Hee Kok resumed his seat. Question proposed.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Sir, before Mr Chng carries on, I note that we are debating on something which the Government can really never do. The motion says here, in paragraph (c), "calls upon the Government to be vigilant to all such groups". All these "such groups" refer to groups mentioned in para (a), ie, "other foreign interest groups", and para. (c) calls the Government to stop them from interfering in our domestic affairs. If they were operating in Singapore, you can stop them. But if these foreign interest groups are operating from abroad, how is the Government going to stop them? It is an impossible task to do - calling on the House to do something which is not possible.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT There is local interference here now!
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Then they should amend it. There is no point debating on something which we cannot do.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT Point of order, Mr Speaker, Sir. If the Member for Potong Pasir wants to change the motion, he should move an amendment to the motion instead of making a speech.
ACTION UNDER INTERNAL SECURITY ACT He has got an amendment.
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