MR WEE TOON BOON (Statement by the Leader of the House)

3.13 p.m.

Mr E. W. Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member of Parliament for Sepoy Lines, Mr Wee Toon Boon, faced a total of five different charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the Court of first instance. The District Judge convicted him on each and every one of these charges, and imposed a sentence of three years' imprisonment on the fourth charge, and sentences of six months' imprisonment in respect of each of the other charges.

As a result of the conviction and sentence of three years' imprisonment imposed on the fourth charge, Mr Wee would have been, by virtue of the provisions of Article 29 of the Constitution of Singapore, automatically disqualified from remaining as a Member of this House. However, on appeal, the conviction on the fourth charge was quashed and the sentence of three years' imprisonment set aside. The appeal in respect of the other four charges was dismissed and the sentence of six months' imprisonment on each charge was affirmed.

An application made on Mr Wee's behalf to take the appeal further to the Court of Criminal Appeal was heard and dismissed on 10th August this year. Thus, all possible appeals have been exhausted and the criminal proceedings against Mr Wee have been brought to a close.

The Attorney-General has advised that as the provisions of Article 29 of the Constitution provide quite specifically that, in order to be disqualified from being a Member of Parliament, a Member so convicted must be sentenced in respect of an offence for a term of not less than 12 months' imprisonment or to a fine of not less than $2,000. Mr Wee would not, by virtue of his convictions and sentences, be disqualified from remaining as a Member of Parliament.

Mr Wee accordingly remains a Member of this House.

3.15 p.m.