Clause 1
Short title and commencement
This Act may be cited as the People’s Defence Force Act, 1965, and shall be deemed to have come into operation on the 9th day of August, 1965.
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People’s Defence Force Bill
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About this bill
People’s Defence Force Bill is Singapore Bill, cited as Bill 65 1965, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1965.
Part I
PRELIMINARY
Clause 2
Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —“Army Act” means the Singapore Army Act, 1965 (Act of 1965);“Commandant” means the officer appointed to be in executive command of the Force;“commanding officer” means an officer of not less than field rank for the time being commanding a unit or units of the Force and includes the Commandant;“Force” means the People’s Defence Force established under this Act;“member of the Force” means an officer or soldier of the Force;“national serviceman” means a person who having been directed to present himself for enlistment in the Force under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service;“non-commissioned officer” includes a non-commissioned officer and an acting non-commissioned officer of the Force, or of the Singapore armed forces or of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force;“officer” means an officer of the Force commissioned under section 7 and includes an officer —
(a)
of the Singapore armed forces;
(b)
of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force,but does not include a person who on relinquishment of his commission in any such force has been allowed to retain his rank and has enlisted in the Force;“soldier” means a member of the Force other than an officer;“superior officer”, when used in relation to a soldier of the Force, includes a warrant officer and a non-commissioned officer;“volunteer” means a member of the Force who is neither a national serviceman nor a member of the Singapore armed forces;“warrant officer” means a warrant officer appointed under a warrant from the President or of the Singapore armed forces or of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force;“week-end parade” means any parade of not less than four hours and not more than forty-eight hours duration;“weekly parade” means any parade of less than four hours duration.
Definition
“Commandant” means the officer appointed to be in executive command of the Force;
Definition
“commanding officer” means an officer of not less than field rank for the time being commanding a unit or units of the Force and includes the Commandant;
Definition
“national serviceman” means a person who having been directed to present himself for enlistment in the Force under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service;
Definition
“non-commissioned officer” includes a non-commissioned officer and an acting non-commissioned officer of the Force, or of the Singapore armed forces or of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force;
Definition
“officer” means an officer of the Force commissioned under section 7 and includes an officer —
(a)
of the Singapore armed forces;
(b)
of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force,but does not include a person who on relinquishment of his commission in any such force has been allowed to retain his rank and has enlisted in the Force;
Definition
“superior officer”, when used in relation to a soldier of the Force, includes a warrant officer and a non-commissioned officer;
Definition
“volunteer” means a member of the Force who is neither a national serviceman nor a member of the Singapore armed forces;
Definition
“warrant officer” means a warrant officer appointed under a warrant from the President or of the Singapore armed forces or of any Commonwealth force who is attached to or doing duty with any part of the Force;
Definition
“week-end parade” means any parade of not less than four hours and not more than forty-eight hours duration;
Part V
MOBILIZED SERVICE
Clause 46
Proclamation of a state of emergency
The President may by proclamation published in the Gazette declare for the purposes of this Part that a state of emergency exists in Singapore.
Clause 47
Mobilization
(1)
When a state of emergency has been declared under section 46 the Minister may by order call out all or any part of the Force for mobilized service.
(2)
Every member of the Force so called out shall report for mobilization at such time and place as the Commandant may appoint.
(3)
Every member of the Force called out under the provisions of this section shall be subject to the provisions of this Part and the provisions of Parts III and IV as the case may be shall cease to apply to him until he is released from mobilized service.
(4)
Every member of the Force called out under the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be called out for mobilized service from the time at which he reports at the place appointed by the Commandant. Any member of the Force who fails to report at the time and place so appointed shall be liable to be charged with desertion unless within four days he shows cause to the satisfaction of the Commandant why he was unable so to report.
(5)
A member of the Force who has been called out for mobilized service shall remain so called out until he is released from mobilized service by the Commandant with the approval of the Minister.
(6)
In any proceedings whatsoever the production of a copy of the Gazette containing what purports to be an order under subsection (1) shall, for all purposes whatsoever, be conclusive proof that the said order was lawfully issued.
Clause 48
Nature and limits of mobilized service
Mobilized service shall consist of full-time service in the Singapore armed forces and any member of the Force called out under the provisions of section 47 shall perform such service as may be required within and without Singapore.
Clause 49
Pay and allowances
Members of the Force called out for mobilized service shall be entitled to such pay and allowances as may be prescribed by rules made under section 54.
Clause 50
Pensions
Members of the Force called out for mobilized service, and their dependants, shall be eligible to receive such pensions and gratuities for injury or death resulting from such service as may be prescribed by rules made under section 54.
Clause 51
Application of Army Act to mobilized members and followers of the Force
Every member of the Force called out for mobilized service and every person not otherwise subject to military law who follows or accompanies the Force or any portion thereof on mobilized service shall be subject to the provisions of Parts IV, VII and VIII of the Army Act and to any rules, orders or regulations made thereunder in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any rules made thereunder.
Clause 52
Command
The General Officer Commanding may place the Force or any part of the Force called out for mobilized service under the command of any officer of the Singapore armed forces or of any Commonwealth force.
Clause 53
Attachment to the Singapore armed forces
During a state of war existing between the Government and any foreign power the President may direct that all or any members of the Force shall be attached to the Singapore armed forces or to any Commonwealth force for such period as the President may think fit and every member so attached shall thereupon be, during the period of such attachment, subject to the provisions of Parts IV, VII and VIII of the Army Act and to any rules, orders or regulations made thereunder in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any rules made thereunder.
Clause 54
Power to make rules and regulations
(2)
The General Officer Commanding may make regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder for the military administration of the Force under this Part.
Clause 3
Establishment of the Force
It shall be lawful for the President to raise and maintain a people’s defence force to be known as “the People’s Defence Force”.
Clause 4
Force to be raised and maintained at the expense of Singapore
The Force shall be raised and maintained out of moneys provided by Parliament.
Clause 5
Composition of Force
The Force shall be composed of persons enlisted as volunteers and persons enlisted as national servicemen.
Clause 6
Force to consist of corps, etc., established by the President
(1)
The Force shall consist of such corps, regiments, services, departments, or other like bodies or divisions as the President may from time to time by order published in the Gazette constitute and establish.
(2)
Every corps or other body or division constituted under this section shall consist of such units or subdivisions as the President may from time to time direct.
(3)
Every corps or other body or division constituted and established under any order made under the provisions of subsection (1) shall bear, and be known by, such name or title as the President may in such order direct, and any reference in any written law to such name or title shall be deemed to be a reference to such corps or other body or division, or as the context may require, to the officers and soldiers thereof.
(4)
The President may by order published in the Gazette disband any corps or other body or division constituted under subsection (1) and may amalgamate any such corps or other body or division and alter the name or title thereof.
Clause 7
Officers’ commissions
The officers of the Force shall be commissioned by the President and such commission shall not be deemed to be vacated by the death or retirement from office of the President by whom it was issued.
Clause 8
Eligibility for enrolment
(1)
Every citizen of Singapore shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and of any rules or regulations made thereunder, be eligible for enlistment in the Force:Provided that no married woman shall be eligible for enlistment or to remain enlisted unless her husband is also eligible for enlistment.
(2)
No other class of person shall be enlisted except on the recommendation of the Commandant with the approval of the Minister.
Clause 9
Medical examination
Every person applying for enlistment in the Force, every person directed to present himself for enlistment in the Force under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service, and every member of the Force shall, if so required by the Commandant, present himself before a medical officer approved in that behalf by the Commandant for such medical examination as may be necessary to determine if he is fit to serve in the Force and for the purposes of such medical examination shall comply with the directions of such medical officer.
Clause 10
Persons subject to the provisions of this Act
Any person eligible for enlistment in the Force, who has attained the age of eighteen years and is not a serving member of the Singapore armed forces or the Police Force or any other prescribed force in Singapore, may, if he satisfies the prescribed conditions, and any person directed to present himself for enlistment in the Force under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service shall, if he satisfies the prescribed conditions, be enlisted in the prescribed manner in the Force and shall thereupon become a member of the Force subject to the provisions of this Act:Provided that any person between the ages of fourteen years and seventeen years may, if he otherwise satisfies the prescribed conditions and subject to the provisions of this Act, be enlisted as drummer boys and band boys in the prescribed manner in the Force.
Clause 11
Oaths
Every officer on being commissioned, and every soldier on enlistment, in the Force, or as soon as may be thereafter, shall make an oath or declaration in the prescribed form.
Clause 12
Command
Subject to the provisions of sections 23 and 52 the Force shall —
(a)
be under the orders, command and general direction of the General Officer Commanding who shall be responsible to the President for the military administration, discipline, training and operation of the Force:Provided that where owing to illness, absence or any other cause the General Officer Commanding has handed over his duties temporarily to another officer of the Singapore armed forces, such other officer shall have and may exercise all the powers conferred on the General Officer Commanding by this Act;
(b)
be under the executive command of the Commandant who shall be appointed by the President and shall be responsible to the Minister in matters of administration affecting recruiting, promotion, conditions of service, works repairs and finance, and to the General Officer Commanding for the military administration, discipline, training and operation of the Force.
Clause 13
Application of Army Act to the Force
Parts IV, VII and VIII of the Army Act shall, in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any rules or regulations made thereunder apply to the Force and, as in this Act (Act of 1965) provided, to members thereof.
Clause 14
Service
Members of the Force shall be liable to be called upon to perform —
(a)
colour training service under the provisions of Part III;
(b)
reserve service under the provisions of Part IV;
(c)
mobilized service under the provisions of Part V; and
(d)
such internal security duties as may be ordered by the General Officer Commanding.
Clause 15
Dismissal
(1)
The President may, with or without assigning any reason therefor, cancel the commission of any officer or dismiss any soldier of the Force.
(2)
The Commandant may discharge any soldier not being a national serviceman on the ground that he is not likely to become efficient.
Clause 16
Nature of colour training service
Colour training service shall consist of such weekly parades, week-end parades and periods of continuous training as may be appointed by the Commandant in accordance with rules made under section 33:Provided that no member of the Force performing service under this Part shall be required to attend at weekly parades for a total of more than twenty hours in any one month or at more than one week-end parade in any one month or at continuous training for more than sixteen days in any one year, and no member of the Force shall be required to attend at a week-end parade for more than thirty-six hours.
Clause 17
Period of service
Colour training service shall be performed by members of the Force for a period of three years:Provided that the Commandant may in accordance with rules made under section 33 extend the period of service of any volunteer or national serviceman who desires to volunteer for further colour training service.
Clause 18
Limits of service
Members of the Force performing colour training service may be required to serve in any part of Singapore or Malaysia for training.
Clause 19
Pay and allowances
Members of the Force performing colour training service shall be entitled to receive such pay and allowances as may be prescribed by rules made under section 33.
Clause 20
Pensions
Members of the Force performing colour training service and their dependants shall be entitled to receive in respect of injury or death resulting from such service such pensions and gratuities as may be prescribed by rules made under section 33.
Clause 21
Release from service
(1)
Any volunteer performing colour training service may, on giving three months’ notice in writing of his desire to be released from the Force, be so released by the Commandant:Provided that nothing in this section shall exempt a national serviceman who, after completion of his colour training service, has volunteered for further colour training service, from liability for reserve service in accordance with the provisions of Part IV.
(2)
No national serviceman shall be released from colour training service before he has completed three years of such service unless and until his enlistment notice has been duly cancelled or amended by the proper authority under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service.
Clause 22
Periods of continuous training to be full-time service
Periods of continuous training under the provisions of this Part shall be deemed to be full-time service for the purposes of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service.
Clause 23
Command
The General Officer Commanding may place the Force or any part of the Force engaged in colour training service under the command of any officer of the Singapore armed forces.
Clause 24
Application of Army Act to members training with the Singapore armed forces
Every officer when doing duty as an officer and every soldier of the Force when attached to or otherwise acting as a part of or with any of the Singapore armed forces shall be subject to the provisions of Parts IV, VII and VIII of the Army Act and to any rules, orders or regulations made thereunder in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act (Act of 1965) or of any rules made thereunder.
Clause 25
Discipline
(1)
A soldier, when on parade or undergoing training or wearing uniform or performing any duty under this Part, shall be deemed to have committed an offence, if, when not subject to the Army Act, he —
(a)
strikes, or uses or offers violence to, or uses threatening or insubordinate language to, or behaves with contempt to, his superior officer;
(b)
disobeys any standing order of, or lawful command given by, his superior officer;
(c)
neglects to obey a general or garrison order made specially applicable to the Force by the General Officer Commanding;
(d)
is drunk;
(e)
being a warrant officer or non-commissioned officer strikes or ill-treats any person subject to military law or to this Act;
(f)
strikes, or uses or offers violence to any person whether subject to military law or not in whose custody he is placed, and whether such person is or is not his superior officer;
(g)
resists an escort whose duty it is to arrest him or detain him in military custody;
(h)
being under arrest or detention or otherwise in lawful military custody escapes or attempts to escape;
(i)
falsely personates any other person at any parade or on any occasion when such other person is required by this Act or by any rule or regulation made thereunder to do any act or attend at any place.
(2)
A soldier, whether he is on parade or not, shall be deemed to have committed an offence, if, when not subject to the Army Act, he —
(a)
being a volunteer fails, without sufficient cause, to appear at a place of parade at the time fixed or to attend at any place in his capacity as a member of the Force, when duly required so to attend, or when on parade, without sufficient cause, quits the ranks;
(b)
being a national serviceman fails to discharge any duty assigned to him in the course of such training and instructions;
(c)
when in charge of any property belonging to the Government, the Force, the Singapore armed forces or a Commonwealth force, makes away with, or is concerned in making away with, or wilfully injures, any such property;
(d)
by culpable neglect loses, or causes injury to, any such property as is mentioned in paragraph (c);
(e)
knowingly furnishes a false return or report of the number or state of men under his command or charge, or of any money, arms or ammunition, clothing, equipment, stores or other property in his charge;
(f)
through design or culpable neglect, omits to make or furnish any return of any matter mentioned in paragraph (e) which it is his duty to make or furnish;
(g)
when it is his duty to make a declaration respecting any matter, makes a declaration respecting such matter, which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true;
(h)
knowingly makes against any person subject to military law or to this Act, an accusation which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true;
(i)
fails, when required so to do, to return in good order equipment, uniform or other articles issued to him;
(j)
fails, when required so to do under section 32, to attend before a Commanding Officer;
(k)
is guilty of any act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.
Clause 26
Commanding officer may inflict fine
(1)
A commanding officer is hereby empowered to try any soldier accused of committing an offence under section 25 and to inflict a fine not exceeding fifty dollars upon such soldier:Provided that before the trial the commanding officer shall inform such person that he is entitled to be tried by a district court-martial, and if such soldier elects to be tried by a district court-martial he shall be so tried.
(2)
The amount of any fine imposed under this section may be recovered in the manner provided by sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of section 267 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 132).
Clause 27
District courtmartial
(1)
The General Officer Commanding is hereby empowered to convene a district court-martial in accordance with the provisions of the Army Act for the trial of offences under section 25.
(2)
The procedure governing the trial of any offence by a district court-martial under the provisions of this section shall, so far as possible, and to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any rules made thereunder be in accordance with the rules of procedure from time to time in force for trials by district courts-martial under the provisions of the Army Act.
(3)
A district court-martial shall have power to inflict all or any of the following punishments: —
(a)
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, except in the case of a warrant officer;
(b)
fine not exceeding two hundred dollars;
(c)
dismissal of a volunteer from the Force;
(d)
in the case of warrant and non-commissioned officers, forfeiture of seniority and reduction in rank in addition to any other punishment allowed by this Act:Provided that a sentence of imprisonment may be awarded only in the case of an offence committed under paragraphs (a), ( b), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of subsection (1) and paragraphs (c), (e), ( g) and (h) of subsection (2) of section 25.
(4)
A warrant officer who is a volunteer if sentenced to reduction of rank shall be entitled to be released from his engagement to serve as a member of the Force.
(5)
A non-commissioned officer who is sentenced to imprisonment shall be reduced to the ranks.
(6)
Any police officer shall have power to arrest and bring before a Commanding Officer and to detain until the conclusion of the case any soldier accused of committing an offence under section 25.
(7)
A district court-martial convened under the provisions of this Act shall be deemed not to be a court-martial under the Army Act.
(8)
The amount of any fine imposed under this section may be recovered in the manner provided by sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of section 267 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 132).
(9)
The provisions of section 265 of the Criminal Procedure Code shall apply to any sentence of imprisonment under this section.
Clause 28
Constitution of district court-martial
(1)
A district court-martial shall consist of not less than three officers of whom at least one shall be an officer of the Singapore armed forces.
(2)
Each member of the Court must have held a commission during not less than two whole years.
(3)
The President of the Court shall be appointed by the General Officer Commanding, and shall be of not less than field rank.
(4)
In the case of conviction the finding and sentence of the Court shall not be valid until confirmed by the General Officer Commanding, who shall exercise the powers conferred on a confirming officer under section 63 of the Army Act.
(5)
After promulgation of the finding and sentence the proceedings shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed.
Clause 29
Violent behaviour on parade
(1)
When a soldier is guilty of any violent behaviour on parade, the senior officer or non-commissioned officer present shall have power to arrest and confine him until the conclusion of the parade.
(2)
For the purposes of this section “on parade” means any occasion on which a soldier is present under military orders or is in uniform.
Clause 30
Damage to military equipment
(1)
A district court-martial, or a commanding officer after such enquiry as he thinks fit, may order compensation to be paid by a soldier for damage to or loss of military clothing, equipment or stores.
(2)
Any such compensation shall be recoverable as if it were a fine under the provisions of sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of section 267 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 132) and shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
Clause 31
Commanding officer and General Officer Commanding and courts for certain purposes
(1)
A Commanding Officer when acting under section 26 or 30 shall be deemed to be a court for the purposes of sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of section 267 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
(2)
The General Officer Commanding when confirming any conviction and sentence passed by a district court-martial under section 27 and for the purpose of enforcing an order for payment of compensation made by a district court-martial under section 30 shall be deemed to be a court for the purposes of section 265 of the Criminal Procedure Code and of sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of section 267 of the said Code.
Clause 32
Attendance before a commanding officer
A commanding officer shall have power to require any soldier of the Force whose presence he deems necessary for the investigation of any case to attend before him.
Clause 33
Power to make rules
(2)
In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may —
(a)
prescribe the manner in which and the conditions subject to which persons desiring, or directed, to present themselves for enlistment for colour training service shall present themselves and be enlisted for such service;
(b)
prescribe the period for which volunteers are to engage for colour training service;
(c)
prescribe the colour training service to be undergone by officers and soldiers;
(d)
provide for the appointment, promotion and resignation of officers;
(e)
provide for the discharge of soldiers;
(f)
provide for the transfer of members of the Force from one corps, body or division to another;
(g)
prescribe rates of pay and allowances for members of the Force performing colour training service or service on internal security duties;
(h)
provide for pensions and gratuities to be paid to members of the Force and their dependants, in respect of injury or death resulting from colour training service or from service on internal security duties.
Clause 34
Power to make regulations
The General Officer Commanding may make regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Part and the rules made thereunder providing generally for details connected with the organization and personnel of the Force subject to this Part and for the duties, equipment and military training of officers and soldiers under the provisions of this Part.
Clause 35
Failure to attend training
Any national serviceman who fails without reasonable excuse to attend the training and instruction which he is by virtue of rules and regulations made under this Part from time to time required to attend shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Clause 36
Constitution of Reserve
There shall be constituted a reserve entitled “the People’s Defence Reserve”, hereinafter referred to as “the Reserve”.
Clause 37
Composition of the Reserve
The Reserve shall consist of —
(a)
a Reserve of Officers; and
(b)
Reservists,and shall be composed of volunteers who having applied to be enlisted in the Reserve have been so enlisted by the Commandant and national servicemen who being required by an enlistment notice served on them under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service, to present themselves for service in the Force have been enlisted in the Reserve by the Commandant.
Clause 38
Reserve service
Reserve service shall consist of reserve duty and reserve liability as provided in sections 39 and 40.
Clause 39
Reserve duty
Reserve duty shall consist of the reporting by a member of the Reserve of his name, address and present occupation to the officer in charge of forces records during such period or periods, as may be prescribed by order of each year of reserve service and of the reporting, within two weeks of such event, of his departure from and of his return to Singapore.
Clause 40
Reserve liability
(1)
The President may by proclamation published in the Gazette declare that the security of Singapore requires the recall of all or any part of the Reserve to colour training service and the Commandant may thereupon by notification in the Gazette appoint times and places at which members of the Reserve as specified therein are required to report for colour training service.
(2)
On reporting for colour training service members of the Reserve shall be subject to the provisions of Part III until they are released from colour training service by the Commandant with the approval of the President.
(3)
Members of the Reserve shall be liable to be called up for mobilized service under the provisions of Part V.
Clause 41
Period of reserve service
Reserve service shall, subject to section 42, be performed by members of the Force enlisted for such service for a period of seven years:Provided that the Commandant may extend the period of reserve service of any volunteer or any national serviceman who desires to volunteer for further reserve service.
Clause 42
Release from reserve service
(1)
Any volunteer performing reserve service may, on giving three months’ notice in writing of his desire to be released from service in the Force, be so released by the Commandant.
(2)
No national serviceman shall be released from reserve service before he has completed seven years of such service unless and until his enlistment notice has been duly cancelled or amended by the proper authority under the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to national service or unless he has completed a total period of ten years’ service under the provisions of such written law.
Clause 43
Power to make rules
The Minister may make rules for the maintenance of the Reserve and matters incidental thereto.
Clause 44
Failure to report name, address and occupation
Any volunteer or national serviceman enlisted in the Reserve who, without reasonable excuse, fails to notify his name, address and occupation or his departure from or return to Singapore as required by section 39 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Clause 45
Penalty
Any member of the Reserve who without reasonable excuse fails to report for enlistment for colour training service if so required under the provisions of section 40 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Clause 55
University Training Corps
(1)
The President may accept the services, without enlistment as members of the Force, of persons whom he may deem qualified for military training to be formed into a University Training Corps.
(2)
Such Corps may, at the discretion of the General Officer Commanding and with the concurrence of the President, be attached to any corps, body or division of the Force or of the Singapore armed forces.
(3)
The officers of a University Training Corps shall be commissioned by the President and such commission shall not be deemed to be vacated by the death or retirement from office of the President by whom the same was issued.
(4)
The Minister may make rules for the general government, management and discipline of the University Training Corps, and the conditions under which such Corps may be disbanded or the services of any members thereof dispensed with.
Clause 56
Cadet Corps
(1)
The President may accept the service, without enlistment as members of the Force, of youths of twelve years of age and upwards whom he may deem qualified as cadets to be formed into a Cadet Corps.
(2)
Such Corps may, at the discretion of the General Officer Commanding and with the concurrence of the President, be attached to any corps, body or division of the Force or of the Singapore armed forces.
(3)
The officers of a Cadet Corps shall be commissioned by the President and such commission shall not be deemed to be vacated by the death or retirement from office of the President by whom the same was issued.
(4)
The Minister may make rules for the general government, management and discipline of the Cadet Corps, and the conditions under which such Corps may be disbanded or the services of any members thereof dispensed with.
Clause 57
Obstructing the Force, and aiding or inducing member of the Force to dereliction of duty
Any person who —
(a)
obstructs any portion of the Force or any member thereof in the performance of any service or duty under this Act or under any rules or regulations made under this Act; or
(b)
agrees with, or induces or attempts to induce, any member of the Force to neglect or to act in conflict with his duty as a member of the Force; or
(c)
who is a party to, or aids or abets, or incites the commission of any act of indiscipline or any act whereby any lawful order given to any member of the Force or any law, rule or regulation with which it is the duty of any member of the Force to comply may be evaded or infringed; or
(d)
without lawful authority wears the uniform or any part of the uniform or any badge or emblem of the Force or falsely represents himself as entitled to wear such uniform, badge or emblem,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Clause 58
Fines Fund
Subject to the provisions of section 30 all fines imposed by any court-martial or by the Commandant or by a Commanding Officer shall be paid to the credit of a fund to be known as “the People’s Defence Force Fines Fund”. Payment may be made out of such Fund for any purpose connected with the Force not properly chargeable to the Consolidated Fund:Provided that no such payments shall be made except upon the written order of the Commandant.
Clause 59
Exemption from certain civil liabilities
(1)
Members of the Force who are certified by the Commandant to be efficient shall, to the number allowed by the President, be exempt from service upon a jury.
(2)
All members of the Force acting bona fide and in their official capacity shall be exempt from the provisions of any written law providing for the storage of arms, explosives, gun-powder and other munitions of war in the same manner as the Singapore armed forces serving in Singapore.
Clause 60
Benevolent Fund
(1)
There shall be established a fund to be called “the People’s Defence Force Benevolent Fund”.
(2)
Such Fund shall be administered by a person or persons to be appointed by the Minister.
(3)
The Minister may make rules to provide for the purpose and administration of such Fund.
Clause 61
Rules
(1)
The Minister may make rules to prescribe anything which under this Act may be prescribed and generally for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.
(2)
The Minister may in making any rule declare that any act or omission in contravention of any rule, shall be an offence under this Act and may prescribe penalties therefor:Provided that no such penalty shall exceed imprisonment for a term of three months or a fine of five hundred dollars or both such imprisonment and fine.
Clause 62
Territorial Army Ordinance 1958, to cease to apply
The Territorial Army Ordinance, 1958 (Malaysian Ord. 52 of 1958), of Malaysia shall cease to apply to Singapore.
Common questions
- What is People’s Defence Force Bill?
- People’s Defence Force Bill is Singapore Bill, cited as Bill 65 1965, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1965.
- Is People’s Defence Force Bill still in force?
- Yes — People’s Defence Force Bill is currently in force.
- When did People’s Defence Force Bill take effect?
- People’s Defence Force Bill was first recorded in 1965.
- How many clauses does People’s Defence Force Bill have?
- People’s Defence Force Bill contains 62 clauses.
- Where can I read the official version of People’s Defence Force Bill?
- The official text of People’s Defence Force Bill is published at sso.agc.gov.sg.