ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH FORGED IDENTITY CARDS (Number of prosecutions)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many illegal immigrants with forged identity cards were detected and prosecuted during the first ten months of 1975; and if he has any plans for a check to be made of all identity cards issued since 1967.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Education (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, during the first 10 months of 1975, 33 illegal immigrants who were detected had forged identity cards. Arrest and prosecution of illegal immigrants, with or without forged identity cards, will continue.

Under the National Registration Regulations, 1966, all Singapore identity cards have to be renewed periodically:

(1) Regulation 15 provides that any person who has obtained his identity card or replacement thereof before attaining the age of 17 years shall re-register within a period not exceeding five years from the date of his first registration.

(2) Regulation 16 provides that any person of the age of 17 years and above who has obtained his identity card or replacement thereof shall re-register within the tenth year from the date of his last preceding registration.

The National Registration Office carries out re-registration exercises un- der Regulation 15 every year. Re-registration under Regulation 16 will begin next year. During re-registration exercises, the identity cards are checked to verify their rightful ownership arid the holders' status. Failure to re-register, as provided under the Regulations, is an offence which carries a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding $3,000 or both such imprisonment and fine. A person who fails to re-register will not be able to enjoy the social benefits accorded by the State.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether it is true or not that some blank identity cards have been put in a bag and sent across the Island. I would like to ask the Minister whether the identity cards are safely kept in the National Registration Office.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, before I answer the question, I would like to ask the Member for Anson for more details. What does he mean by "blank cards"? Are they forged identity cards or are they genuine identity cards stolen from the National Registration Office? Or are they identity cards stolen from the holders?

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, the identity cards are like the ones we have now. But there is no name or photograph on the identity card. These identity cards are sent across the Island and then the photograph, name and address of the illegal holder are put on to enable him to come here.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Pink or blue?

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Pink.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, having got the clarification, may I ask the Member for Anson to submit details of his information so that it can be investigated? If it is true, then it is a very serious crime. As far as the National Registration Office is concerned, blank identity cards, whether pink or blue, are kept in safe custody. If he has any information he should submit it to me because this is a very serious matter.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, that is not my duty. It is the duty of the Minister for Home Affairs to check this up. I am not going to check this up. I am only informing the Minister of what I have heard.