PROTECTION FOR SINGAPORE FISHERMEN FROM PIRATES

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that Singapore fishermen have often been robbed, if not kidnapped, by pirates, and whether he will consider strengthening the Marine Police Force to protect the fishermen.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry is aware that Singapore fishermen have been subject to robbery and kidnap by pirates. Of the 24 reported incidents between 1966 and 1968, 21 occurred outside Singapore waters.

When Singapore fishermen leave territorial waters, they assume risks for which the Singapore Marine Police cannot be held responsible. Our fishermen are known to extend, their operations into international waters, as far away as the Philippines, and the Marine Police cannot be expected to afford protection to these vessels.

The strength of our Marine Police patrols is sufficient for present purposes. It is intended to increase the Marine Police fleet by a further 20 launches this year.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister of State of Defence aware that some of our fishermen who have been kidnapped by pirates arc at present stranded in certain islands off Singapore? And if he is aware, what steps will he take to seek their release?

The Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Use commandos!

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, I do not think we are aware of such an occurrence. if the Member will bring this matter to the attention of the police, it will he looked into.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully aware of such cases. My question is: would the Minister, of whichever Ministry concerned, try to seek the release of our fishermen? And if I may add, Sir, I have copies of correspondence seeking the release of our fishermen, and up to date no sign of any release has been made.

Mr Wee Toon Boon: As I said, Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member will refer this incident to the police, probably they will look into the matter.

Mr Lim Guan Hoo (Bukit Merah): (In Mandarin): I am satisfied with the reply given by the Minister of State, but I would like to ask him this question. If these fishermen cannot be protected by our Marine Police, then when the withdrawal of the British Military Forces is effected, how are we going to take the necessary measures to strengthen our naval power?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, we are only responsible for the security of our territorial waters. So if any incident takes place beyond our territorial waters, I think our Marine Police is unable to assist.

Mr Tang See Chim: It would appear that these fishermen are citizens of Singapore. Are we prepared to send, for example, a gunboat along to their rescue?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, unless we have a bigger navy, we cannot do anything more than we have done at present for our fishermen.

Mr Lim Guan Hoo: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister of State of Defence has said just now that if our fishermen leave our territorial waters, then they have to be responsible for their own security. Why cannot our Marine Police prevent them from overstepping the bounds of our territorial waters?

Mr Wee Toon Boon interrupted in Mandarin.