CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT

CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT

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(Objectives and statistics on detention): **

1.

Mr Siew Kum Hong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the current objectives in using the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act; and (b) in each of the past five years, what is (i) the total number of persons who had been held in detention under the Act; (ii) the total number of persons released from such detention; and (iii) the most common reason(s) for detaining persons under the Act.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act is used for the maintenance of public order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs relating to essential services, as well as the detention and supervision of persons in the interests of public safety, peace and good order.

The total number of persons detained and released under the Act in the past five years (2004 to 2008) is 366 and 272 respectively.

The Act is only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are not willing or afraid to testify in court. Most cases dealt with under the Act are related to secret societies, drug trafficking or loansharking.

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