POLITICAL DETAINEES (Publication of correspondence between Prime Minister's Office and Amnesty International of London)

Mr David Marshall asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the correspondence between his office and Amnesty International of London on the subject of Political Detainees.

The Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew): The correspondence between my office and Amnesty International of London is circulated herewith.

Mr Speaker: Has the correspondence+(Appendix II, Cols. 855-60) been tabled? POLITICAL DETAINEES(Cols 0855-0860)

The Prime Minister: I think so. As I understand it, my Secretary has supplied enough copies.

Mr David Marshall (Anson): I would like to ask the Prime Minister whether he will consider the suggestion made by Amnesty to release those detainees who are prepared to leave the State of Singapore and Malaysia for purposes of furthering their studies?

The Prime Minister: I think the Member for Anson has read the reply which my Secretary sent to Amnesty International.

For the benefit of Members of the House who did not see the document, may I just refer to paragraph (5) of the letter by Anwar Ibrahim, my Secretary:

`As in (4) above, the decision to detain and to release detainees rests with the Internal Security Council in which the Singapore Government has only three out of seven members. But the Singapore Government's three members will consider allowing detainees freedom to leave Singapore provided they are satisfied that the applicant who offers to give a written undertaking not to engage in politics abroad is one whose conduct in the past is not such as to make his words worth less than the paper they are typed on.'

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Prime Minister is aware that that sort of condition invalidates the entire assurance given. Would he consider that whether these persons whose words he is not prepared to accept undertake political activities elsewhere or not cannot in any way damage the security of Malaya? If they go to territories like Australia or the United Kingdom or the United States of America, would he take into consideration the places to which they seek to go for the purpose of pursuing their studies?

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid that the statement made by the Member for Anson is somewhat naive in its approach if he believes that a place like London is innocuous. From our point of view, a great amount of energy and effort has been spent to counter the activities of Mr John Eber and the Movement for Colonial Freedom. I see no reason why Mr John Eber should receive further assistance from more able united front Communist leaders. If we are convinced that any particular gentleman wishes to go to London for the salubrious air and to learn through the scholarship with which London and its universities are endowed, then we will seriously consider the proposition. But if - as the professional experts believe - there is a plan afoot to try, now that they are neutralised, to move them into positions where they can once again be put to good use, then, as I say, our three votes will not be used to help them. But if we are convinced that they really want to lead a quiet and peaceful life, then I say that there is no reason why we would not consider them for a job in the Ministry of Culture looking after dances and cultural shows - innocuous things like that.