DISAFFECTED SINGAPORE TRADE UNIONISTS AND POLITICIANS (Scrutiny of activities)

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that disaffected trade unionists and disaffected politicians from Singapore from time to time confer with representatives of a neighbouring country in that neighbouring country, and whether such activities require constant scrutiny to ensure that no harm is done to the security and welfare of the people of Singapore.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are always disaffected persons whether in the trade unions or in politics. The comings and goings of these persons do not generally give rise to any security concern except where such persons have influence over trade unions or political parties with a mass following, and are prepared to use the mass following contrary to the interest of the people of Singapore. If the Member for Telok Blangah could be more specific, my Ministry will look into the matter.

Mr Bernard Rodrigues: Is the Minister aware, for instance, that Mr K. Suppiah, formerly of the Public Daily-Rated Employees' Unions Federation, and Dr Thio Chan Bee of the Singapore People's Alliance have been meeting in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, with various Malaysians and, in fact, were conferring on the 20th of May this year in a quiet little restaurant in Petaling Jaya at lunch time when a group of trade unionists from Singapore happened to stumble upon them, to their consternation and embarrassment?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has received reports of this particular meeting. Because none of the persons concerned, however disaffected they may be, wield any mass influence either in the unions or through political parties, my officers do not consider their meetings of any security threat to Singapore.