FOREIGN HIPPIES (Banning of entry into Singapore)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware that there are many foreign hippies in Singapore; and, in view of the bad influence they have on the Republic's youth, if he will take steps to ban their entry into Singapore.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr L. P. Rodrigo) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, instructions were issued in April 1970 to all immigration officers at all entry points, including the Airport, Port and Causeway, that all hippies should be helped to get on to their next destination. Airlines and shipping companies were also informed not to take such travellers for disembarkation in Singapore. Obviously, there are borderline cases in which it is difficult to deny entry facilities at the point of entry. These persons are admitted temporarily pending inquiry into their individual cases. If they turn out to be hippies, they are required to leave for their next destination within a matter of days.

As on 15th February, 1971, the Immigration Department has no known foreign hippie on record. However, in the first six weeks of this year, a total of 25 borderline cases were admitted temporarily and subsequently classified as hitch-hikers and not hippies. Whatever the case, the Immigration Department is making every effort to help these people get on to their next destination.

The Immigration Department takes the stand that dirty and untidy-looking people with long, unkempt hair and beard are presumed to be hippies unless proved otherwise. Anybody, therefore, who looks like a hippie has to satisfy the immigration officers that he, in fact, is not one and that his stay in Singapore will not raise doubts at all as to his true position before he is permitted entry.

The situation is well under control. It is not, therefore, proposed to vary the existing instructions and to declare a total ban on the entry of foreign hippies, particularly those who are healthy hitch-hikers and do not betray signs of the drug-taking type of hippie on arrival.

Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary explain to the House what he means by "borderline" cases of hippies?

Mr Rodrigo: Sir, I would say a "borderline" case is one where a person is not clearly a hippie on the basis of the presumption which I have stated, hut at the same time he is not able to avoid the suspicion that he may be a hippie because of his general appearance and mannerisms. It is difficult to give a graphic description of a borderline case, but my Ministry considers and determines every borderline case on its demerits!

Mr Ho See Beng: Have the Government given any guidance or training to the immigration officers as to what constitutes "hippiism"? If they have, the immigration officers may be better able to take action against local hippies or foreign hippies.

Mr Rodrigo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think any elaborate training is required on the part of the immigration officers. The presumption is clearly stated, and the officers will exercise their discretion accordingly. Where there are borderline cases, as I say, we treat them in accordance with the method I have described.