VALUE OF TRADE WITH INDONESIA

Mr Chio Cheng Thun asked the Minister for Finance what was the total value of trade of Singapore with Indonesia from 1st January, 1963, to 15th September, 1963; and what was the total value of trade of Singapore with Indonesia from 16th September, 1963, to 30th November, 1963.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the question asked for details of trade between Singapore and Indonesia before confrontation and after confrontation. The 1963 classified trade statistics of Singapore are only available up to the month of June. I am therefore unable to provide the hon. Member with the details he sought. It is not my intention to publish in future trade statistics, any details whatsoever in respect of trade between Singapore and Indonesia after the 15th September this year. Information of this kind will be of the utmost value to the Indonesian Government in carrying out its policy of economic confrontation in the hope of bringing Malaysia down to its knees. In the economic war which is now being waged between the two countries, this kind of information constitutes valuable economic intelligence. The question of the hon. Member is another example of how the Barisan Sosialis are attempting to give aid to the enemy. This time they want us to provide them with ---

Mr Koo Young (Thomson): (In Mandarin): Point of order.

Mr Speaker: What is the point of order?

Mr Koo Young: (In Mandarin): The Minister did not give us the figures we wanted. On the other hand, he was accusing the Barisan Sosialis of abetting enemies. Was he in order?

Mr Speaker: The Minister was in order. A question has been asked, and the Minister is free to answer it.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: I have to explain not only why it is not in the public interest to give this information even if this information were available, I was going to point out that this is just another way in which the Barisan Sosialis are attempting to give aid to the enemy. This time they want us to provide them with valuable economic intelligence. I have not the slightest intention of obliging either the Barisan Sosialis or their Indonesian masters.