OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS (Preventive measures)

Inche Rahmat bin Kenap asked the Minister for Culture whether the Government will consider taking more stringent measures to curb the publication of obscene articles in certain books, magazines and newspapers, as such publications are detrimental to the minds and morals of our youths.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture (Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin) (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, the measures currently taken by the Ministry of Culture to control obscene publications printed locally are sufficiently stringent. All publications printed locally require a permit from my Ministry before printing is allowed. In issuing a permit, sufficient attention has been paid to ensure that the publications conform to the generally acceptable standards of decency and decorum. If a publisher, having obtained the permit, resorts to sexy or obscene articles or photographs to boost sales, he is either warned and in the more severe cases his permit under the Printing Presses Ordinance is revoked or suspended.

The Member for Geylang Serai perhaps refers to obscene articles in certain books, magazines and newspapers. It is possible that such articles can be found in periodicals smuggled into Singapore. Publications imported regularly are subject to close scrutiny in the same way as local publications before importation is allowed. But Singapore is a telecommunications and transportation centre in the Far East and is one of the greatest sea-ports and airports in the world. As such, the volume of goods and people entering or passing through Singapore is enormous. Under such circumstances, it is possible that some obscene periodicals have been smuggled into Singapore.

It is unfortunate that some booksellers and magazine vendors in the Republic are more conscious of profits derived from purveying filth rather than in protecting the morals of our people, especially of our young. The Ministry of Culture in close co-operation with the police, frequently conduct raids on notorious bookshops and book-stalls, and owners or possessors of obscene publications are prosecuted.

But raids and suppression of obscene periodicals are only one aspect of the problem. A more effective answer is to be found in the education of our young people to the basic values of a sane and healthy society.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap (Geylang Serai): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, why has the Ministry of Culture so far allowed obscene articles to be printed in the Mingguan Malaysia which is published weekly when these articles are detrimental to the minds and morals of our youths? I have received complaints from the residents of Geylang Serai, some of whom have come to me with cuttings from the newspaper. I have with me here newspaper cuttings from issues for over six months.

Mr Speaker: You appear to be going beyond the bounds of a supplementary question. Can you indicate what your supplementary question is? You seem to have made a speech instead. [Laughter].

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not satisfied with the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary that his Ministry is looking after this matter. If, as the Parliamentary Secretary says, the matter has been looked into very strictly, why is it that articles in the weekly Mingguan Malaysia contain obscene pictures? I have with me here pictures in this paper of men and women in compromising positions? I bring this up for the information of Members. It I may quote here ---

Mr Speaker: Order. I take it that the hon. Member's supplementary question is: is the Minister for Culture prepared to take action on such publications?

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap: (In Malay): Yes. Will the Parliamentary Secretary state whether he has looked into this matter and, if so, why such articles in the Mingguan Malaysia are still allowed to be printed?

Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, it must be admitted that there are a number of local magazines, as well as certain foreign newspapers, which indulge in the printing of obscene articles with the aim of sexually arousing their readers. They belong to a class of irresponsible publishers and book-sellers who do have neither a sense of responsibility nor a high standard of moral conduct. I agree with the Member for Geylang Serai that such obscene articles are, in fact, detrimental to the minds and morals of our youth. Equally, they undermine the Government's efforts in building a vigorous and robust society.

With regard to the allegation that the Mingguan Malaysia has continued to publish such articles, I wish to assure the House that the Mingguan Malaysia has already been warned on two occasions to cease printing obscene pictures. I also wish to assure the House that the Ministry of Culture has given ample warning to those responsible for the publication of those newspapers and magazines to desist from publishing and circulating such unhealthy literature in Singapore.

Mr Speaker, Sir, our Government believes in persuasion. However, when this method fails to have the desired effect, may I assure the Member for Geylang Serai that severe action will he taken against unscrupulous publishers and book-sellers. Stringent measures must be taken to prevent the few irresponsible persons from exploiting the young people who form a large section of our population.