Arrests and Detentions under Internal Security Act

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether he will provide a breakdown of arrests and detentions made under the Internal Security Act from 1959 to 1990, according to the type of offence and the names of the detainees.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: From 1959 to 1990, a total of 2,460 arrests were made, of which 1,045 persons were detained under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance (1959-1963) and Internal Security Act (1963-1990).

The reasons for arresting these persons and/or detaining them include involvement in the Communist Party of Malaya and communist-related activities to overthrow the Government; racial and religious extremism; Indonesian Confrontation; foreign subversion and espionage; and terrorism.

Many of these individuals and their families have put the past behind them and carried on with their lives over the past several decades. The Government will not be further releasing the specific identities of the persons arrested and detained under the PPSO and ISA.

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