APPOINTMENT OF CONSTITUTION COMMISSION (Statement by the Minister for Law and National Development)

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, one of the cornerstones of the policy of the Government is a multi-racial Singapore. We are a nation comprising peoples of various races who constitute her citizens, and our citizens are equal regardless of differences of race, language, culture and religion.

Whilst a multi-racial secular society is an ideal espoused by many, it is a dire necessity for our survival in the midst of turmoil and the pressures of big power conflict in an area where new nationalisms are seeking to assert themselves in the place of the old European empires in Asia. In such a setting a nation based on one race, one language and one religion, when its peoples are multi-racial, is one doomed for destruction.

To ensure this bias in favour of multi-racialism and the equality of our citizens, whether they belong to majority or minority groups, a Constitution Commission is being appointed to help formulate these constitutional safeguards.

The terms of reference of the Commission are:

(a) To receive and consider representations on how the rights of the racial, linguistic and religious minorities can be adequately safeguarded in the Constitution.

(b) To consider what provisions should be made to ensure that no legislation, which by its practical application is considered likely to be discriminatory against members of any racial, linguistic or religious group, should be enacted before adequate opportunities have been given for representation from parties likely to be aggrieved.

(c) To consider what remedies should be provided for any citizen or group of citizens who claim that he or they have been discriminated against by any act or decision of the Government or the administration or any statutory board or public body constituted by law, and to recommend the machinery for the redress of any complaints.

(d) To consider how such provisions can be entrenched in the Constitution.

The Government has given this matter careful consideration and has decided that this Commission shall consist of legally qualified persons, who will know what is feasible and practical of constitutional guarantee. They represent various communities in the legal profession. They are:-

Chairman: The Chief Justice

Deputy Chairman: The Speaker

Members:

Mr C. F. J. Ess

Mr M. J. Namazie

Mr Geoffrey Abisheganaden

Mr C. C. Tan

Syed Esa bin Syed Hassan Almenoar

Inche Manap Ghows

Mr Graham Starforth Hill

Mr S. H. D. Elias.

It is expected that the Commission will complete its work before September next year.