PROSTITUTES DETAINED AND TRAINED IN WELFARE HOMES (Particulars)

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj asked the Minister for Social Affairs how many prostitutes were referred to and detained in the approved homes of the Social Welfare Department between 1st. July 1970 and the latest convenient date: for how long are they detained: and what trades are they being taught in such homes.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker. Sir, the Mount Emily Girls' Home is tile only Home run by the Social Welfare Department for the reception and training of juvenile prostitutes up to the age of 21 years.

During the period from 1st July. 1970 to 30th June. 1971, a total of 84 girls were rescued by the Police during anti-vice raids and referred to the Social Welfare Department for inquiry under the provisions of Part X of the Women's Charter.

After inquiry 64 of the girls were discharged for various reasons and the remaining 20 girls were committed to the Mount Emily Girls' Home for protection and rehabilitation.

Under the law, a girl may be detained until she attains the age of 21 years or marries, whichever is the earlier. However, the length of detention depends largely on the circumstances of each case. In the majority of cases, the period of stay in the Mount Emily Girls' Home is between 1½ and 2½ years.

The training provided for the girls at the Home includes courses in laundry-work, cooking, cake-making, food-catering, sewing and dress-making hygiene, civics, ethics and morality. The Department has also just introduced advanced, courses in cooking and dress-making. New courses on ladies' hair-dressing and beautician courses leading to the diploma level are also being introduced The sole purpose of these new advanced courses is to enable the residents of the Home to earn a stable and decent living upon their discharge from the Home.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj (Geylang Serai): (In Malay): Mr Speaker. Sir, can the Minister explain why the 64 girls referred to were discharged?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the 64 girls referred to were discharged for the following reasons:

(1) being above the age of 21 years, they are, therefore, not liable for detention;

(2) being almost 21 years of age at the time of rescue, their detention in the Home would have achieved very little purpose;

(3) being lawfully married persons, they are, therefore, not liable for detention;

(4) being Malaysian citizens or residents. or illegal immigrants from Thailand or Indonesia: as far as possible, their early repatriation was arranged with the help of the Immigration Department;

(5) insufficient or no evidence available regarding their involvement in immoral activities.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, call a girl who is detained in the Mount Emily Girls' Home be examined by a doctor to determine her state of health? Are her parents allowed to visit her?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Sir, this is becoming more interesting! Immediately after a girl is brought to the Mount Emily Girls' Home following an anti-vice raid, she is sent to the reception centre in the Home itself. She remains there, away from contact with the other girls in the Home, until she is medically cleared of infectious disease. Once cleared, she is either discharged if there are no grounds for detention, or sent to the main Home for training and rehabilitation. And during her stay in the Home, every attempt is made to keep her in frequent contact with members of her family. Weekend visits by members of the family are also allowed in most cases.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj: Sir, if a girl who is detained desires to continue with her studies, will she be given the facilities to do so?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Sir, should a girl during her stay in the Mount Emily Girls' Home express a desire to continue with her studies, every attempt is made to help her by giving her a transfer to the Mary mount Vocational Centre where she can resume her studies and prepare herself for the School Certificate. Financial help is also given to her if, after obtaining the School Certificate. she expresses a keen desire to go for higher studies.