VIGILANTE CORPS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

4.19 p.m.

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Vigilante Corps Bill be now read a Second time."

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment and maintenance of the Vigilante Corps. Hitherto the Vigilante Corps has existed as an organisation without any statutory provisions since its formation in May 1964. The Bill provides that the existing Vigilante Corps shall, as from the date of the coming into operation of the Act, be deemed to have been raised and maintained under the Act, thus giving the body a legal standing (clause 25).

The ranks of the Vigilante Corps up till now had been filled by person volunteering to be members of the Corps. These volunteer members who registered themselves as corps members came from various walks of life, ranging from watchmen to businessmen, and from clerks to hawkers. These persons had powers of ordinary citizens and their main duties were to perform foot patrols, coastal observations, to assist the police in reporting the movement or presence of suspicious characters, to arrest persons committing any seizable offence within their sight, and to assist the public whenever requested. With the establishment of the Vigilante Corps, it was observed that the crime rate dropped in areas covered by the Vigilante Corps Beat-Patrols.

The Bill also makes provision for national servicemen to be directed for national service under the National Service Ordinance, 1952, with the Vigilante Corps. Thus the Vigilante Corps will consist of both volunteers and national servicemen.

The national servicemen who are called up for training in the Vigilante Corps will do 12 years' part-time training during their off-work or off-duty hours. They will receive, in addition to their many duties, instruction in moral values. This will teach them the meaning of good citizenship and explain to them the nature of their social responsibilities.

The national servicemen will be contributing to our nation building and this is a sure way of creating loyalty and national consciousness, and if the need arises they can show their loyalty by participating in the defence of the country.

The national servicemen being called up are young men. Opportunity, therefore, is being given to these youngsters not just to remain spectators outside the orbit of the defence forces but to take part as part-time soldiers, be it the Vigilante Corps, the P.D.F., the Special Constabulary, or the Army. These young men are the natural resources of our country and we have to teach them a sense of discipline and responsibility if they are to become responsible citizens. The training and discipline will make them better citizens and better workmen. Physically and mentally the benefit will be enormous.

[Mr Lim Cheng Lock in the Chair]

4.30 p.m.

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Sir, I now wish to deal with the more important clauses in the Bill. Clause 4 deals with the composition of the Corps, that is, it provides that the Corps shall consist of national servicemen and volunteers.

Clause 5 of the Bill provides that members of the Corps shall assist the Police Force in the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of public peace, the prevention and detection of crime, and the apprehension of offenders; and shall perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the Minister.

Clause 6 deals with the appointment of a Commandant. The Corps shall be under his administration and his appointment is made by the Minister. The Commandant shall be under the general direction of the Commissioner of Police. In clause 9, power is given to the Minister to disband or discontinue the Corps.

An important section in the Bill is clause 10. This provides that members of the Corps will have to take an oath or affirmation in such form as may be prescribed by the Minister, and any member who refuses to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Clause 12 provides for resignation and discharge of members from the Corps, and applies only to volunteer members of the Corps who may resign by giving 14 days' notice to the Commandant provided they have not been called out for mobilized service under the Act. Power is given to the Commandant to discharge any volunteer member of the Corps where he is of the opinion that such member is not likely to become or remain useful in the Corps. National servicemen cannot resign.

Clause 19 provides that the national servicemen shall not be discharged, retired or dismissed from the Corps except with the prior approval of the proper authority appointed under the National Service Ordinance, 1952.

Clause 13 deals with mobilization. The President may declare a state of emergency and, in pursuance thereof, the whole or any part of the Vigilante Corps may be called out for mobilized service. The members called out will remain so called out until they are released from mobilized service by the Commandant with the Minister's approval.

As national service is a compulsory service the national service members of the Vigilante Corps may not unlawfully absent themselves from duty. If they do so, they shall be deemed to have deserted and shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. This provision is found in clause 15 of the Bill.

Clauses 17 to 23 respectively deal with the discipline and punishment of rank and file and subordinate officers and officers. The Commanding Officers may inflict punishment commensurate with the offence. The words "Commanding Officer" have been defined in the interpretation section to mean the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Police Training School and any police officer lawfully acting in any of these appointments.

There is provision also in clause 21 of the Bill to punish members of the Corps who threaten or insult any police officer or Vigilante Corps member of senior or equal rank; and in this connection authority is given to any police officer to arrest, without warrant, any member of the Corps so accused.

Clause 24 of the Bill empowers the Minister to make regulations with respect to the Constitution, general administration, training and welfare of the Corps and any other matters in connection with the Corps.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

4.35 p.m.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I fully support the Vigilante Corps Bill. Its purpose is to enable members of the Vigilante Corps to be a more disciplined force in order to help our police maintain law and order and public security.

Sir, I think we can all recall that the Vigilante Corps was set up in April 1964 when Indonesia was in confrontation against us and when there was a series of sabotage and bomb incidents in our country. And in order to protect the lives and property of our people, the Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew then) called for the setting-up of such a Corps. We all know the historical background of this Corps. The Prime Minister's call was warmly supported by people of all walks of life. The bomb incidents and the series of sabotage acts had caused some damage to property, if they had not at least adversely affected our commercial and industrial activities. Our people then felt quite uneasy and had a sense of insecurity. Following the formation of the Vigilante Corps, such activities were on a reduced scale and the situation was later put under control. For these achievements by the Vigilante Corps, we all should give them our praise and admiration. I understand that everyone appreciates their efforts and contributions.

Though Indonesian confrontation has become history, the Vigilante Corps' assistance is still necessary at the present juncture, although its present duties may be different. In the past their duty was mainly to prevent any sabotage, to catch spies and enemy agents, and to protect the lives and property of our people. Today their task and responsibility is to help the police maintain law and order and public security, and prevent anti-social activities by anti-national elements.

After strict semi-military training, they will become the pillars of our rugged society and become model citizens of our multi-racial society. Over these past several years the Vigilante Corps has done well to maintain public order and has helped the Police by arresting robbers and protecting women from being bullied by hooligans. In all these activities they have shown that they are people of good quality and imbued with a sense of sacrifice. They have set an example as good citizens for all to see, and have maintained a very close and good relationship with community centres and the people of the various constituencies. Their high spirit of service has given the public a good impression.

The Vigilante Corps consist of people from various races of different cultures, different streams of education, different languages and different religions. Their contribution in uniting the people of various races together has produced results. Their achievements have helped to unite the people. In my constituency, Sembawang, the Vigilante Corps unit consists of Chinese, Indians and Malays. The unit leader is an Indian. He is able to unite the team together and has helped them to put up good achievements. This might be due to the personal capacity and merits of this unit leader, but I believe another factor is that there is already being formed a sort of identity of purpose. This will be a great contribution to our task in building a multi-racial model society. This is a very significant factor.

At present the training of the Vigilante Corps consists mainly of drills and instruction in general police regulations. But I think they should also be inculcated with a spirit of patriotism and loyalty to our country. This is also important.

Recently I have received complaints from members of the Vigilante Corps. They say they have only one uniform. They have to keep this clean and neat. Because of this, I think they should be issued with at least two uniforms. In my opinion, their request is very reasonable, and I hope the Minister will consider it.

Sir, this Bill provides that the basic task of the Vigilante Corps is to help the police maintain law and order, to preserve public security, to prevent criminal activities, and to arrest criminals, etc. At the same time, it also provides certain penalties against any members of the Corps who commit any offences. Generally speaking, I regard this Bill as perfect and I hope that after its implemenation, the Vigilante Corps organisation can be further perfected and strengthened and grow from strength to strength, making it more effective in the preservation of our social order and in carrying out their task in serving the country and protecting the lives and property of our people.

4.43 p.m.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Sir, the purpose of this Bill, as explained by the Minister of Defence, is to make statutory provisions for the establishment and maintenance of the Vigilante Corps in our Republic.

In the past the Vigilante Corps existed as a local voluntary organisation formed by some civic-minded citizens who saw the need of a vigilante organisation to assist the police in preserving peace and order in their own areas. Later, during the confrontation days, our Deputy Prime Minister realised the important role of the Vigilante Corps and appealed to the public to join the Corps. After that there was enthusiastic response from the public, and the Vigilante Corps was set up both in the rural and urban areas of Singapore. The Vigilante Corps then began to grow to their present strength with the support, of course, of various community leaders. As a matter of fact, our Deputy Prime Minister went to some constituencies to visit the Vigilante Corps. In some of the constituencies which border the sea, the Vigilante Corps also did coastal patrol duties until well past midnight to help the police watch for illegal entry of saboteurs and agents. In fact, the Vigilante Corps made a tremendous contribution towards the internal security of Singapore during confrontation days.

Sir, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to ask this House to place on record the appreciation of our Government to members of the Vigilante Corps for their voluntary services in maintaining the peace and security of our country during confrontation days.

The present circumstances have necessitated the enlargement of the Vigilante Corps so as to take in national servicemen who will do their part-time service in the Corps.

The need to enact laws to make the Vigilante Corps a statutory organisation, therefore, cannot be disputed in this House. All hon. Members of this House, I am sure, will give their support to this Bill. However, there is one point I wish the Minister to consider, that is, the welfare of the Vigilante Corps members. I notice in clause 24 of this Bill that the Minister makes regulations concerning the administration, discipline, training and welfare of the Corps. I am happy to note that there are provisions in this section to make regulations on the awards of compensation in respect of death and personal injuries, awards of pensions and gratuities and reimbursements of payments to members of the Vigilante Corps. But there should be provision also to provide for medical care and attention not arising from injuries. Can the Minister clarify the question of reimbursements and payments to members of the Corps? Does he mean that a travelling allowance at the same rate as that paid to the P.D.F. will be paid to Corps members who turn out for duty or training? Sir, I support this Bill.

4.48 p.m.

Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson): (In Mandarin): Sir, all those people who are concerned with security and who pay attention to current affairs will agree with me that the economy of a nation is a basic factor in contributing towards its stability. Our people work very hard in contributing towards Singapore's economic stability. So if they work harder and serve society in general and the nation in particular, then everybody should have a sense of security and a strong sense of patriotism. I believe the majority of the people in Singapore fully understand that their fate is closely linked with that of the nation, and that their future too is closely related to the future of Singapore. So their love of Singapore is absolute and beyond any doubt. The question is, how is the Government going to preserve the peace of this country in a turbulent region, to instil a sense of security in a sea of trouble in this region? So it is for the Government to come out with definite policies to show us how we can do it.

The establishment of regular armed forces for national defence is the usual method adopted by other countries, but it is not applicable in a small island State like Singapore. In the first place, we cannot shoulder the financial responsibilities of maintaining a large regular army. Secondly, its existence may give rise to a possible military take-over or military dictatorship. In the Afro-Asian countries and in the South American countries, we find a lot of instances of a military dictatorship as a result of a large standing army. Although they have standing armies, they are without a closely-knit society. In South Vietnam there are about half a million strong regular forces, but in spite of this, there is still turbulence and trouble there. South Korea has an army of about 600,000 strong, but there is also trouble there. This is because of their lack of an organised and a closely-knit society. In the Philippines, too, there is a strong army, but in spite of that, there is trouble, and there is smuggling and robbery throughout the country. This is because the people are poorly organised. Indonesia has an army of about 400,000, but in spite of that, there is trouble and disorder there. In other countries even where they have strong armies, military coups take place. All this is due to the lack of organisation and a closely-knit society.

So if we can successfully organise our people, that, I think, is the best method to defend our own country. This is because, in the first place, we can do away with the necessity to maintain a large army. Secondly, we can bring up a generation of people who will be nationally conscious and patriotic and well organised to maintain social order and national security. I am glad, therefore, that the Government is not just shouting slogans but is carrying out in a practical way whatever it has promised. It is an effective Government which means what it says and says what it means.

The official establishment of the Vigilante Corps is another instance to show that the Government is always concerned with the security of the people and the maintenance of an orderly society. We were threatened with communal disturbances in the past, but we do not gloat over the disturbances and the misfortunes of others. In troubled times we had to set up a Vigilante Corps in order to smash up the intrigues of our enemies who wished to disrupt our social order and, at the same time, to unite our people so that the various races in Singapore could understand the importance of racial harmony in the State. Now this painful event in history is past, but the fact remains that the contributions of the Vigilante Corps are still fresh in the minds of the people. Now that Singapore is independent and sovereign, people of all races must further understand that the Vigilante Corps, their own organisation, must continue to maintain the integrity of our country and to preserve order in our society. It is the responsibility and duty of every citizen to take part in this great task.

Sir, there is a saying that to build a strong country we must build a strong people. The Government of the country, in officially setting up the Vigilante Corps, and in giving legal status to it, is going one step further to show that it is desirous of building a strong people in order to defend our own country and to maintain social order. It is an enlightened policy and a very wise step to take. If necessary, we shall turn all our people into soldiers. This is a test of our people to see whether they have this spirit. As a representative of the people and as a Singapore citizen, I am proud of the step being taken and I am honoured to associate myself with this Bill.

Mr Lim Cheng Lock: I think this is a convenient time to suspend the sitting. The House will resume at 5.05 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.55 p.m. until 5.05 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.05 p.m.

[Mr Lim Cheng Lock in the Chair]

Debate resumed.

Question again proposed.

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, I think all of us in this House are very proud to associate ourselves with this Bill which has now turned out a very excellent group of men of various races and from various walks of life into a legally constituted body. This body, as I have said, came into being spontaneously during the time when Singapore met with trouble from within and without. By the passage of this Bill we have made it possible for our young national servicemen to serve in the Vigilante Corps. On the whole, I think there is no one here who can find any criticism of the Bill.

To take up some of the requests from Members of the House with regard to the welfare of members of the Vigilante Corps and medical services, I do hope and I feel very sure that among the medical practitioners in Singapore -and we have quite a large number of them -there will be some who will be fired by the example of volunteer members of the Vigilante Corps, i.e., in coming forward to offer their services free of charge. I think that can be arranged.

With regard to welfare, as the Member for Mountbatten has pointed out, there is a clause in the Bill where the Minister has the discretion or the power to look into the welfare of the Vigilante Corps members. And I can assure Members that I will try to do my best to see that their interests are well looked after.

With regard to pay, these are matters of administrative detail, and once the mechanics of it have been properly worked out, the details will be given to members of the public and to hon. Members who are interested.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I would like to ask a question.

Mr Lim Cheng Lock: Mr Teong, is it a point of order?

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Can the Minister clarify what I have just mentioned, and that is the complaint by certain members of the Vigilante Corps that they have only one uniform each? Will he consider this complaint and explain to this House?

Mr Lim Cheng Lock: Mr Teong, I am afraid your question is out of order. You may raise the question at the Committee stage if you wish.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, can the Minister clarify his attitude to this question?

Mr Lim Cheng Lock: Mr Teong, I am afraid that is out of order.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

5.12 p.m.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

5.13 p.m.

Clauses 1 to 9 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 10 -

Amendment made: In page 3, line7, to leave out "the form set out in the Schedule to this Act" and insert "such form as the Minister may prescribe" -[Mr Lim Kim San].

Clause 10, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 11 to 25 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Schedule -

The Chairman: The Question is, "That the Schedule stand part of the Bill."

Members will note that in view of the amendment that has been agreed to clause 10, the Schedule will not be necessary in the Bill.

Question put, and negatived.

The Schedule accordingly disagreed to.

Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed.