PRIVATE MARRIAGE BUREAUS (Controlling legislation)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs if his Ministry has any plan to take over, or provide services hitherto rendered by, private marriage bureaus, and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to control those bureaus to ensure that members of the public are not exploited.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry to have to disappoint the hon. Member for Delta with another "No" in my reply to his question. My Ministry has no intention of taking over private marriage bureaus. Nor do we intend providing a service in competition with them.

I am aware that recently there were allegations of malpractice on the part of some of these bureaus. However, no complaints were received either by my Ministry or by the Police.

The Government does not intend introducing legislation to regulate the operation of marriage bureaus. Complaints of cheating or other similar offences can be dealt with under existing laws.