DETENTION OF MR. FONG SWEE SUAN AND MR. YONG KOK KIM

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, the motion which stands in my name, namely,

That this House deplores the continued detention without trial of Mr Fong Swee Suan, Secretary of the Singapore Bus Workers' Union, and Mr Yong Kok Kim, President of the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers' Union, and considers that the Government should either release them or give them an opportunity to answer the Government's allegations against them in open court,

is unique in that it has achieved its purpose before it has come to be debated! It is therefore my singular pleasure with the leave of the House, to ask permission to withdraw this motion - unless, of course, the Chief Minister wishes us to debate the matter still?

The Chief Minister: I am at your disposal.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Do I have the permission of the House, Sir?

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member need not have the leave of the House to withdraw his motion.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: I then formally withdraw the motion.

Motion withdrawn.