KATHIS IN SINGAPORE (Particulars)

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs how many Kathis there are altogether in the Republic and how many of them are paid by the Government.

The Minister for Culture and Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, there are at present nine Kathis in the Republic appointed under the Muslims Ordinance, 1957, that is, No. 25 of 1957. Two of these Kathis are paid by Government and attached to the Registry of Muslim Marriages and the Shariah Court. The remaining seven Kathis are not paid by Government but receive fees for duties performed by them.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, is the Minister considering recruiting more Kathis?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir. An additional Kathi will soon be appointed and this will increase to three the number paid by the Government.

Inche Mahmud Awang: (In Malay): Regarding the number mentioned by the Minister, how many of them are Singapore citizens? If we take new Kathis, is it one of the qualifications that they must be Singapore citizens?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: I cannot say offhand, Sir, whether the seven Kathis are all Singapore citizens. I will make an inquiry and will let the hon. Member know whether they are Singapore citizens or not. In future all Kathis to be appointed will be Singapore citizens as a condition.