BREACH OF PRIVILEGE (Motion)

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Ulu Pandan): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move a motion regarding breach of privilege,

That the Memorandum addressed to all Honourable Members of the Assembly dated 25th June, 1962, by the Chairman of the Singapore Trade Unions Working Committee (Committee of Liaison Officers of Trade Unions) contains threats to the Government back benchers in the following paragraphs:-

"45. Everyone of you in the Assembly are responsible for whatever that might follow if a few dictators in power are allowed to have their way in snatching away from the people the rights that they have gained at the cost of bitter struggles and great sacrifices.

"46. To those who are Government Backbenchers we wish to point out that it would be folly to think that they would not be held responsible by the people for the misdeeds of the Government leaders.

"47. It is in fact in your hands to check the Government from its fascist moves. Indeed it is with the support of the Backbenchers that they have committed all their treacherous acts and can continue to do so only if they continue to support them.

"48. Whatever happens the day is not far when the Government Backbenchers have to return to the people and live among them as ordinary men and women and for the rest of their life they will not be able to escape the people's reproach and wrath if they fail them now while those who are making use of these Backbenchers may have taken comfortable refuge elsewhere.

"49. This is the time when you can all clearly show that you are with the people in the defence of their democratic rights!",

and that the said paragraphs constitute a breach of the Privileges of this Assembly.

Mr Speaker: The motion stands referred to the Comittee of Privileges under the provisions of paragraph (7) (d) (i) of Standing Order No. 93.