ISSUE OF NEW LAMINATED IDENTITY CARDS

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour, in the registration for the issue of the new laminated identity cards, (a) whether attempts were made to use the same, or an identical, birth certificate by more than one applicant for registration, and the number of such eases; (b) the number of forged old identity cards discovered; (c) the number of late applications for registration received up to 31st May, 1968; (d) what action had been taken against the applicants in (a), (b) and (c); and (e) the number of old identity card holders who have not yet applied for the new laminated identity cards.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to reply. The National Registration Office has so far discovered 954 new identity card holders who made use of other persons' birth certificates. A total of 188 forged old identity cards were also discovered. Up to 31st May, 1968, 912 late applications for registration were received. All the above cases have been referred to the police for investigation. To date seven persons have been prosecuted and convicted for using other persons' birth certificates; 87 prosecuted and convicted for forged old identity cards, and 68 prosecuted and fined for making late applications for the new identity cards. Eight hundred and eleven cases under the three categories are still under investigation by the police.

It is not possible to give the exact number of old identity card holders who have not applied for the new laminated identity cards, as many of the old identity card holders may have left the Republic permanently without surrendering their old identity cards. Further, the old identity cards of persons who have died may not have been surrendered.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour inform this House whether positive steps will be taken to remind old identity card holdrs who have not applied for the renewal of the new laminated cards?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think that is necessary.

Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson): Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider giving old identity card holders, say, a month's grace to apply for the new laminated identity cards without action being taken against them?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the relevant Ordinance has clearly spelt out the time allowed for the application of new identity cards.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Will the Parliamentary Secretary state whether the Government will consider making some arrangements to register aged or disabled persons at their homes, if such arrangements can be made?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Mr Speaker, Sir, that process has been going on all the time. Several invalids in the Chronic Sick Hospital were recently registered, because they had some difficulty in tracing their old identity cards. Some had lost their cards and had to take some time to trace them. There is no penalty attached in such cases.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not quite happy with the Parliamentary Secretary's answer. Does not the Government have a record of those who have not applied for new identity cards? Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why the Government cannot take some positive steps to send reminders to these persons?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to disagree with the hon. Member. The requirements are clearly spelt out in the Ordinance. This Ordinance was debated in this House some months ago and I do not see why there should be any person who has still not changed his identity card. If he chooses not to change it, I do not think any number of reminders will serve any purpose.