WITHDRAWAL OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FACILITIES FROM PROFESSOR TINCKLER

Mr Tang See Chim asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement as to why the surgical facilities of the General Hospital were withdrawn from Professor Tinckler.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not propose to give an account of the circumstances and reasons for withdrawing the surgical facilities of not only the Outram Road General Hospital hut also all facilities in Government hospitals of Singapore from Professor Tinckler with effect from 17th January, 1967. This is because Professor Tinckler on 21st December, 1966, instituted legal suits in the High Court against the University and its officers, and on 6th January, 1967, against my Director of Medical Services, Dr Ho Guan Lim.

It would, therefore, be improper were I to state the Government's case against the Professor in a place where he is in no position to defend himself.

All I would like to say at the moment is that I have had disturbing reports about Professor Tinckler from the Ministry's officials in charge of Outram Road General Hospital which satisfied me that, in the interests of our Hospital and of the patients who are our citizens, he should not be allowed to carry on as Head of Surgical Unit `A' of our Hospital.

Professor Tinckler has alleged that he has been unfairly reported upon. I am, therefore, most anxious that the question as to whether Professor Tinckler's allegations are correct or my Ministry's action justified be impartially judged by a court of law.

I understand that on 28th January, 1967, Professor Tinckler sent in his letter of resignation to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Singapore. In view of this, I hope there will be an early hearing of the legal suits instituted by Professor Tinckler, so that the truth as to whether the Ministry of Health acted properly in the public interests or that he was unfairly maligned can be properly established in a court of law. I hope Professor Tinckler will for his part press his legal actions to an early hearing so that the matter can be aired and cleared. It is in everybody's interests and those of the University and my Ministry that the truth should be known. It would be most unfortunate if the Professor were to leave Singapore without having his case beard and judged. And let it be remembered that our judicial processes are open to review by the Privy Council who can see that justice is done and seen to be done to all in Singapore, without fear or favour.

Mr Tang See Chim (Choa Chu Kang): Mr Speaker, Sir, is it true that Professor Tinckler is considering leaving Singapore shortly?

Mr Speaker: I do not know whether or not the Minister has information on that question. But if he has, he is at liberty to answer it.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand that Professor Tinckler is on the passenger list of the "Benloyal" which is scheduled to sail from Singapore for Hongkong at 3 p.m., which is five minutes from now. And I hear that he is heading for Los Angeles by air from Hongkong. I do hope that this is not a case of a one-way passage and we look forward to Professor Tinckler coming back some time later to pursue his legal suits.