PUBLIC CONCERN OVER INCREASE IN CRIMES

Mr A. P. Rajah asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware of the, growing public concern over the increase in crimes in the last few months, and if he will state what steps the Government proposes to take or is taking in the matter.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no justification for growing concern because serious crime has, in fact, gone down during the last four months since the Government began its relentless campaign against criminal elements. In particular, the figures of secret society incidents have dropped from 175 in the four months between 1st February and 31st May, 1959, to 99 between 1st October, 1959, and 31st January, 1960.

I am rather surprised to note that the Member for Farrer Park should now express his concern when not so long ago he criticised the Government for strengthening the law against motor vehicle of fences because he was so worried in case his car might be confiscated by Government.

The measures being taken and which will continue to be taken are the detention and supervision of criminals under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance, the more intensive application of the various Ordinances passed recently, the maximum use of Police mobile reserves for systematic patrolling of the bad areas, recruiting to the full present establishment, strengthening of the C.I.D., increased training for detective police officers and the building up of the already improved police/public relations.

Mr Rajah: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister for Home Affairs aware of the fact that during the months of January and February this year well-nigh 20 murders have been committed in Singapore, and does he think that that is not a serious situation?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am hot certain whether the Member for Farrer Park has got his figures correct, that there were more than 20 murders in January and February. I think a distinction must be made between secret society murders and crimes of passion.

If the Member next to him for some reason or other were to plunge a knife into his friend, the Police could not stop it. What the Police can do is to try to bring down the incidence of secret society murders.

Mr Rajah: Sir, like the Minister for Home Affairs, I am not interested in crime passionnel but I am interested in the rate of murder that goes on in Singapore at the moment.

In the year 1958, Mr Speaker, Sir, according to the Singapore Annual Report, there were in all 42 murders; but for the months January and February in the year 1960, well-nigh 20 murders have already been committed, and if this rate of murder is maintained, Singapore will certainly -

The Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Have a decreasing population!

Mr Rajah: Yes, it certainly will take unto itself the reputation of being the most "murderous" State in the world!

Mr Speaker: I think the hon. Member and every other Member must realise that this is Question Time and supplementary questions only are permitted, not statements.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, for the information of the Member for Farrer Park, between 1st February and 31st May, 1959, six secret society murders were committed; between 1st June and 30th September, 1959, six murders were committed; and between 1st October, 1959, and 31st January, 1960, there were only four secret society murders.

Mr Rajah rose -

Mr Speaker: A supplementary question?

Mr Rajah: Yes. Will the Minister be willing to give the figures for February, 1960?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Today is the 2nd of March and the figures for February 1960 are not available yet.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng rose -

Mr Speaker: Mrs Seow, a supplementary question?

Mrs Seow Peck Leng (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, Sir, in the week before last, it was reported in the newspapers that there were five murders in seven days. Can the Minister tell us whether it is an accident that all the murders happened to be committed during those seven days, or whether that shows a rise in murder cases in Singapore?

Mr Speaker: We are now entering into a debate! If the hon. Member wishes to pursue the subject further, there is ample opportunity during the adjournment or by way of a motion.