NIGHT CLUB ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES

Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs whether he is aware that some entertainment programmes presented in night clubs are contrary to the Government's policy of promoting healthy culture, and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy of Government in respect of entertainment programmes in high-class hotels or night clubs frequented by tourists is that the standards of censorship will be relaxed to those in general application in large metropolitan towns, for example, London, Tokyo, Bangkok and so on. As it is very unlikely that a great number of people in Singapore can afford to frequent such high-class hotels or night clubs, the promotion of a healthy culture in Singapore will not be affected by this relaxation.

As regards censorship standards of stage shows open to the general public either in second-rate hotels or night clubs or in cabarets, theatres or cinemas, the present rigid standards will continue to be maintained.

As soon as I am aware that some entertainment programmes in night clubs are contrary to this policy, steps will be taken to direct the organisers concerned to comply with these standards, and if they do not comply, the usual deposit of $1,000 may be forfeited and/or the licence cancelled.

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): I would like to ask the Minister whether he knows what kind of contents is injected into the entertainment programmes presented at the moment in first-class and second-class or, for that matter, third-class hotels and night clubs.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Sir, it is very difficult for me to say what kind of content is injected into the programmes.

An hon. Member: I wish you knew.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: I wish I knew, yes. But every programme put up for the public to see is first scrutinised by the police and our censors.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that one of the programmes at the present moment includes striptease acts. Will the Minister see that before any night club proprietor puts up a programme it must be scrutinised very closely by the police department?

An hon. Member: By the Minister.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Yes, every programme is scrutinised. I would like to sit on the Board if it is possible.