GAMBLING IN PAY-CENTRES OF BUS COMPANIES (Steps to eradicate)

Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that on pay days organised gambling is carried out in all the pay-centres of bus companies draining away the hard-earned cash of the bus workers and thus causing great hardship to them and their families; and what steps he proposes to take to eradicate this anti-social activity.

The Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, there has been no information or evidence of any organised gambling at pay-centres of bus companies during pay days. However, there have been reports of sporadic gambling in the vicinity of certain bus depots and the results of raids conducted in the past are as follows: Number of Number of persons Year raids arrested 1966 12 16 1967 7 3 1968 21 21 1969 16 12

Mr Speaker, Sir, bus depots at Alexandra Road, MacKenzie Road, Upper Aljunied Road, Bedok Road and Changi Road have been under police observation, but large-scale gambling has not been detected at any of these locations. Of course, the police are continuing to keep watch and are also conducting frequent raids at these places to eradicate this anti-social activity.