GANG FIGHTS AT HAWKER CENTRES AND SHOPPING COMPLEXES (Measures to curb)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs, that since 1st January 1980 up to the latest convenient date, how many gang fights have taken place in hawker centres and shopping complexes and how many foreigners were involved in those fights; and what plans he has to curb such incidents in the interests of the public.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, there was only one gang fight at a hawker centre but none at shopping complexes between 1st January, 1980, and 25th October, 1980. The fight which took place at the Bedok South Hawker Centre on 18th January, 1980, was between 12 members of two secret societies. They are all Singaporeans and five of them were charged and convicted in court for rioting.

However, during the same period, there were 153 fights at hawker centres and 201 fights at shopping complexes. These fights were between individuals or small groups of persons and had no secret society connection. Most of the fights resulted from arguments over minor issues, such as prices and seating arrangements at hawker centres. A total of 12 foreigners, namely, 10 Malaysians and two European boys, were involved in 11 of the fights.

The Police will continue to take preventive measures, including visits by its uniformed officers on patrol, to curb such incidents. Where the situation warrants, detectives or plainclothes officers will also be deployed.