CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

6.25 p.m.

The Minister for Law and the Environment (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, section 14(1) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 112) empowers a police officer not below the rank of a sergeant, without warrant, to enter and search any premises, vehicle or individual if he suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence is likely to be found on such premises, vehicle or individual, and may seize any evidence so found. It is proposed to amend the proviso to the section to enable a police officer below the rank of sergeant to exercise similar powers if he has good reasons to believe that, by reason of the delay which may be caused by referring the case to his superior officer, any such evidence is likely to be removed.

The Bill also seeks to amend section 22 of the Act to bring it in line with a proposal to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 113), which has just also been read the Second time, by deleting the legal requirement to give caution to a person under arrest before he is interrogated by the police.

Like the other two Bills which had their Second Reading today, Sir, it is also proposed to refer this Bill to a Select Committee.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Sir, in the light of an increasing crime rate, the intention of this Bill before the House is obviously a good one and will make the job of the police much easier in bringing criminals to book. By delegating the power of search, without warrant, to police officers below the rank of sergeant as provided under clause 2, it is to my mind important for the Government to ensure that there will be no abuse of such power and that all junior officers do understand that the power delegated to them will be exercised only with very good reasons and under fully justifiable circumstances.

Sir, in implementing the law it will perhaps be desirable for proper guidelines to be laid down and their practical implications fully explained to all junior officers so that in the course of carrying out their duties they would not, by their rash action, antagonise members of the public unnecessarily and so lose the confidence and support of the public, which is so vital in our efforts to combat crime.

Mr Barker: Sir, I would like to thank the Member for Jalan Kayu for his valuable contribution. Unfortunately, the Minister in charge of the Police is not present here, but I will convey his remarks and the reservation which he expressed, to the Hon. Minister.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Resolved,

"That the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and seven Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection."-[Mr E. W. Barker].