PUBLIC WORSHIP ON FRIDAYS (Leave to Government Muslim officers to attend)

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Minister for Finance whether there are Government departments, which do not grant to Muslim officers leave between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Fridays for the purpose of attending public worship, and what action does he propose to take in the matter.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, it has been the Government's policy to allow, subject to the exigencies of the service, its Muslim officers to leave between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Fridays to attend public worship.

In fact, this policy is enshrined in General Order 140 (d), which reads as follows:

"Muslim officers may be given leave by Heads of Departments to be absent from office between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Fridays for the purpose of attending public worship."

It may happen, however, that where all or a majority of the staff of a particular section of an office are Muslims, it may not be possible to grant leave to all of them every Friday without causing a dislocation of service.

I do not know whether the hon. Member has in mind any particular department, and in the absence of more specific information, I do not propose to take any action in the matter.