POLITICAL PARTIES IN SINGAPORE (Compliance with Societies Act)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Defence how many political parties there are in Singapore at present and how many of them have not complied with the Societies Act.

The Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are altogether 13 political associations registered in Singapore.

As to the second part of the question, it is presumed that it refers to noncompliance with the requirements of the Societies Act with respect to a political association, namely, amend its rules to provide for its membership to be confined to Singapore citizens, and/or change its name if it is the same as that of an organisation outside Singapore, and/or change its symbol if it is the same as that of an organisation outside Singapore. If that is the case, Sir, there are six political associations which have not complied with one or more of these requirements.

Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson): (In Mandarin): Sir, will the Minister be able to give the names of the six political associations which have not complied with the Societies Act?

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, the six political parties are: the Barisan Sosialis Party, the U.P.P. (United People's Party), the Workers' Party, Parti Kesatuan Ra'ayat (United Democratic Party), Parti Rakyat Singapore State Division, Persatuan Islam Setanah Melayu, Singapore (Pan-Malayan Islamic Party, Singapore).

Mr Ang Nam Piau: (In Mandarin): Sir, why have these six political parties not complied with the Societies Act? And why does the Government not close them down?

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think some of them, are already dormant. As for the others, I do not know why they do not comply. But I can assure Members that they are under very constant and close surveillance. Whether any action will be taken against them will depend on our assessment of whether by their own madness they liquidate themselves, or by their mad acts they become a danger to society and to this country.