CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Chief Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, might I enquire if it is possible to adjourn now instead of cutting up my hon. colleague's speech in two parts - there is only five minutes -?

Mr Speaker: Standing Orders do not provide for that, Mr Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister: If it please you, Mr Speaker.

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill, Sir, is divided into six parts and deals with a number of different matters which, at first sight, bear little relation one to another, but they do have this in common. They are all measures which the Government considers are necessary, in the present circumstances in Singapore, to strengthen the law against those who seek to overthrow the lawfully elected Government by violence, or who seek to subvert the minds of the people by intimidation, away from genuine democracy and constitutional advance to self-government, to the rule of fear and to ultimate Communist domination.

They also have this in common: that all are measures which we hope and believe will only be required for a limited period, a period during which we hope that the citizens of Singapore will learn by experience to distinguish between liberty and licence, between good leaders and bad leaders, and will learn to see the dangers into which the Malayan Communist Party and those who compromise with them are likely to lead this country.

These measures, we think, are necessary during a period of immaturity in understanding and practising democracy to safeguard us from the dangers that beset us on the path to maturity. We hope, therefore, that they will no longer be needed after that period and, accordingly, all these various matters have been put together into this one Bill which, by sub-clause 2 of clause 1, is to remain in force for a period of only three years. As the title of the Bill indicates, these are temporary additions to our criminal laws.

Part I of the Bill deals with definitions applicable throughout the Bill and needs no further explanation from me at this stage.

Part II is directed at the Malayan Communist Party and its killer squads, who seek to impose their rule by murder, arson and intimidation. It provides increased penalties for those who attack life or property by the use of explosives, and for those who consort with them. It also deals with those who furnish supplies to these people who seek to undermine public security, and it provides penalties for the making and the possession of subversive documents.

I trust that this House will accept the necessity for these admittedly stern measures in order to deal with the ruthless and secret activities of the Malayan Communist Party. If and when that Party should renounce violence and murder, then it may be that these additional powers and penalties can be discarded. I should like to make it clear that all the offences laid down in this Part, and the offences provided throughout this Bill, are subject to trial in the ordinary courts of law. The accused have full opportunity of making their defence and sentences are only imposed on conviction after a fair and full trial -

Mr Speaker: Order, order. Moment of interruption. Debate to be resumed - what day?

Mr Goode: Tomorrow, Sir.

Remaining items on the Order Paper read and ordered for the next day.