POLICE OFFICERS (Loss of service weapons)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many Police officers have lost their service weapons from 1st January, 1968, up to the latest convenient date in 1969, and under what circumstances the weapons were lost; (b) how many of the lost weapons have been recovered; and (c) what disciplinary action has been taken against those officers who negligently or carelessly lost their weapons.

The Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, from the 1st of January, 1968, to the 16th January, 1969, three police officers lost their service weapons. The weapons were lost in the following circumstances:

On 5th February, 1968, at about 11 p.m. Detective police constable No. 6603, D. Munisamy of "D" Division, attempted to make an arrest at the Lee Kong Open Air Cinema in Bukit Timah Road. He was set upon by a gang of five persons. He drew his revolver and shot at his attackers but he was overpowered and stabbed to death. His revolver was taken away but was later recovered in a letter box at the junction of Peirce and Holland Roads. Two persons have been charged and convicted for the murder of Detective Munisamy and have been sentenced to death.

On 9th December. 1968, at about 8.30 p.m., Probationary Inspector Lim Ah Ho was with a lady friend at the King George V Park. He kept his service revolver in his friend's handbag. Later in the evening when he proceeded to leave, his revolver was missing from her handbag. This gun has not been recovered.

On 3rd January, 1969, at about 9.50 a.m., some 90 to 100 quarry workers who were on strike at the P.W.D. Quarry in Jalan Gali Batu, together with their supporters, attacked 20 riot unit personnel on duty at the site with granite and bricks. During the rioting, Corporal 3852, Mohamed Yunis Shah, was surrounded and attacked and his revolver snatched away from him. The revolver was later discovered hidden on a site near the quarry at Jalan Gali Batu and has been recovered.

Mr Speaker, Sir, disciplinary action is being taken against Probationary Inspector Lim Ah Ho for negligently losing his weapon. With regard to Corporal 3852, Mohamed Yunis Shah, no disciplinary action is contemplated as there is no evidence of neglect on his part. And the question does not arise in the case of Detective Munisamy who died in the line of duty.