MR KONG SOON SENG, SIBU (Refusal of entry into Singapore)

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will make a statement on the refusal of the entry into Singapore of one Mr Kong Soon Seng of Sibu, Sarawak.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Kong Soon Seng arrived in Singapore by Malayan Airways, Flight 401, at 1300 hours on 19th August, 1961. On examination by the Immigration Officer at the Airport, it was found that his British passport No. 3719 issued in Kuching on 10th January, 1956, had expired and had not been renewed.

As in all cases of passengers who arrive without valid travel documents, Mr Kong Soon Seng was refused leave to land and was returned to Kuching by the same aircraft, which departed at approximately 1330 hours the same day.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder whether the Minister is aware that there were well-known businessmen in Singapore that day who were prepared to stand security and guarantee for Mr Kong, who is a well-known businessman from Sarawak doing business with Singapore. I wonder whether the Minister can allow officers on duty to relax the rules a little when it is for the benefit of Singapore, especially in respect of a person who is so well-known and coming to Singapore to do business.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware that Mr Kong is a well-known businessman, nor do I think the immigration officers at the Air port are aware of it. It is better to be strict than to be landed with a body which the Government may find it difficult to remove. In any case, the airline concerned should not have sold him a ticket in the first instance.