"TIKAM TIKAM" OPERATORS (Action against)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he is aware that "Tikam Tikam" has reappeared in Singapore recently and if he will take action against the operators.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, "Tikam Tikam" is a relatively minor offence of gaming in public. Nevertheless, operators of "Tikam Tikam" are dealt with under Section 7(4) of the Common Gaming Houses Act (Chapter 96). A person found guilty of such an offence is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.

The Police Department is aware that "Tikam Tikam" still exists in Singapore after its intensified action against the operators had brought down the number of such conviction to an all-time low of two cases in 1972. The illegal activity has picked up again. The Police has been taking action against the operators to prevent it from mushrooming to the same scale as prior to 1967 when complaints were received from almost all school authorities.

In 1975, 28 persons were prosecuted for "Tikam Tikam" offence, of which 27 were convicted with fines imposed totalling $4,287. During the first four months of this year, seven persons out of eight prosecuted were convicted. Six of them were fined for a total amount of $3,900 and the other person was sentenced to 1 8 months' imprisonment, without a fine, for committing the offence a second time.

The penalty provided under Section 7(4) of the Common Gaming Houses Act (Chapter 96) is adequate deterrence for would-be "Tikam Tikam" operators. Police action against "Tikam Tikam" operators will continue.