BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS CLAIMING TO OFFER THRIFT, MEDICAL SERVICE AND BENEVOLENT BENEFITS

Mr Lim Cher Kheng asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry to state-

(a) the number of business organisations in Singapore which claim to offer to the general public a thrift and medical service and benevolent benefit;

(b) the activities of such organisations;

(c) how many complaints against them have been lodged with the Police; and

(d) what steps he will take to protect the interest of the public.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: (a) So far as is known, there are about 21 business organisations which claim to offer to the general public thrift, medical service and benevolent benefits. There are also many insurance companies which offer to policy-holders, some of the same types of benefit but I am not certain whether this type of business activity is referred to in this question. I have assumed in my answer that it is not intended to include the insurance business within the scope of this question.

(b) The 21 or so organisations to which I have referred offer to their clients or subscribers a variety of benefits, including medical attention from, doctors appointed by the organisation. They offer also confinement and death benefits and in some cases a form of legal aid. A few organisations offer unemployed clients assistance in finding employment.

(c) There have been about 71 complaints received since the end of 1956 against 7 organisations.

(d) Following the investigation of these complaints, criminal proceedings are pending in one case. Of the remainder, no final decision has been taken on 12 complaints and in 58 complaints no offence has been disclosed.

To the extent that criminal proceedings are pending and the matter is accordingly sub judice, it would be improper for me to go into any further detail. In so far as the activities of these organisations are within the existing law, it is Government's intention to take such action as may be necessary to regulate their activities with a view to safeguarding the interests of members of the public who participate in their schemes. With this in view, an inter-departmental committee has already been constituted to consider the question.