"GANG-LAND" CRIMES (Particulars)

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many "gang-land" clashes and murders were recorded in Singapore in the last two years; where the incidences occurred; what were the socio-occupational profiles of the victims and persons suspected to be involved; and what control measures will be taken to contain these problems.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, there were six gang clashes and four murders by secret society members in 1978, and six gang clashes and three murders in 1979. There were, however, 38 incidents in 1974, showing a 76% drop in such secret society incidents in the past five years.

The 19 incidents in 1978 and 1979 occurred at the following places: Public housing estates - 4 Kampongs - 3 Red light areas - 3 Coffee shops - 2 Shopping Centres - 4 Nightclubs - 2 Cinema - 1

The victims and people involved or suspected to be involved in the incidents were from the lower income groups. They had only primary education and were employed as unskilled or semi-skilled workers.

To contain the secret society problem, the Police keep an eye on known secret society members and try to gather intelligence in areas where secret societies are known to be active in order to foil their plans. Wherever possible, people who are involved in secret society activities are prosecuted in court. Where witnesses are not prepared to give evidence in court, the offenders are either detained or placed under Police supervision under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Sir, is the Minister aware that there is now a general fear amongst mothers about the safety of their school-going daughters? This fear is the result of a rumour that an unknown male or males have deceived innocent girls, snatched them and brought them in cars to unknown places where, rumours say, parts of their bodies were sold or given away for rituals.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I advise the Member for Kampong Kembangan not to listen to rumours! [Laughter] The rumours are completely unfounded. I do not know how the rumours originated. But I think they could have originated from outside Singapore, because I happened to read the New Straits Times of 21st February, 1980, published in Kuala Lumpur, in which it was reported that similar rumours were spread in Johore, both in Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi. With your permission, Mr Speaker, Sir, may I read the relevant parts of the New Straits Times? The report is titled, "Police move to head off these rumours", the "Police" meaning the Johore Police.

"Johore Police have issued a warning to the public not to spread rumours of head-hunters in the State. The Deputy OCCI, Encik Jamil Hassan, said Police would take court action against anyone found spreading such rumours. He said there was no truth in the rumours and appealed to the public not to be influenced by them. Encik Jamil said this following a panic among the public, especially here [that is, Johore Bahru] in Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi about the head-hunting stories. Some people have even received a list containing the registration numbers of 18 cars whose drivers were alleged to be head-hunters. Most of the cars bear Pahang registration plates.

Encik Jamil said a family here panicked yesterday when their child returned home from school late. They thought that their child had become a victim of the headhunters. The child was late because the school bus sent the child home late." So my advice is not to listen to rumours. They have no foundation of truth whatsoever. I do not think there are head-hunters in Singapore.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Mr Speaker, Sir, it may be amusing to the Minister and the House, but it is not amusing when four parents rang me up last night, hysterical about their children. One of them had told her daughters not to go to school. I do not consider that funny. I thought that the Minister could at least make a public statement to reassure the parents that these rumours are false.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, I do not think it is funny. But I thought it is best for me to read the report that has emanated from Johore Bahru as it should allay the fears, if any, of the parents, about how unfounded these rumours are. And that is not a funny thing. I am sorry that the Member for Kampong Kembangan has regarded it as funny, just because some Members laughed. May I, therefore, assure the Member for Kampong Kembangan and all the parents who had rung him up that the rumours are completely unfounded. They are not only unfounded here in Singapore but also in Johore, as reported in the newspaper report which I have read.