CHINESE REPORTER OF TIGER PRESS (Nature of undertaking given for release from detention)

Mr C. H. Koh asked the Minister for Home Affairs what was the nature of the undertaking given by the Chinese reporter of the Tiger Press of Kuala Lumpur for his release from detention under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance, 1955.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, since receipt of the question, two Chinese reporters of the Tiger Press of Kuala Lumpur have been released from detention under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance.

The first reporter made a full disclosure of his activities and gave the assurance that his previous prejudicial conduct will not be repeated. He was released on 27th October, 1960, unconditionally.

The second reporter gave an assurance to the Advisory Committee that "he would publicly dissociate himself from all pro-Kuomintang activities and that his previous prejudicial conduct will not be repeated." He was released on 8th November, 1960, on the condition that he shall refrain from all activities of a pro-Kuomintang nature.

Mr Speaker: I might explain, of course, that if a Minister wishes to bring in a matter which is extraneous to the question being asked he could always make a Ministerial Statement. That would be a much neater way of doing it.