VIGILANTE CORPS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 5.42 p.m.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The purpose of the Vigilante Corps (Amendment) Bill, 1982, is to provide the Vigilante Corps with additional powers to deal with members of the Corps who commit disciplinary offences.

The Vigilante Corps was started in 1964 mainly as a volunteer service to assist the Singapore Police Force in maintaining law and order. In 1967, part-time national service in the Vigilante Corps was introduced and the Vigilante Corps Act was enacted to regularize the position of the volunteers and to allow the enlistment of the national servicemen into the Corps. Given the nature of its duties, the disciplinary powers given to the Corps then were not stringent and were adequate.

In 1975, full-time Vigilante Corps was introduced together with the Police National Service (Full-time) Special Constabulary (PNS(F)SC). The Police National Service (Fu ll-time) Vigilante Corps (PNS(F)VC) are subject to the Vigilante Corps Act, whilst the PNS(F)SC are governed by the Police Force Act. In 1981, the Corps was assigned wider responsibilities in Civil Defence which included the setting up of the Vigilante Corps (Construction Brigade) and other civil defence units. In view of its important role in emergencies, and to ensure an effective and reliable civil defence, there is now a need for stricter discipline to be maintained in the Corps.

The Bill introduces the following additional disciplinary powers:

(a) detention for a period not exceeding 40 days;

(b) fine of up to $200;

(c) stoppage of leave for a period not exceeding 28 days;

(d) restriction of privileges for a period not exceeding 14 days; and

(e) extra duty or drill for a period not exceeding 7 days.

Other powers provided by this Bill include:

(a) the ordering of payment of compensation up to $100 by a member of the Corps, to third parties who suffer damage or loss by reason of the offence;

(b) the provision for deductions from his pay, for every day of absence without leave or desertion, for every day of detention, and for every day in hospital on account of sickness caused by an offence committed by him.

The number of offences punishable under the Act is also increased from 12 to 27.

The new powers sought under this Bill are based mainly on those available to the SAF under the Singapore Armed Forces Act. This will ensure that the Vigilante Corps can maintain a level of discipline as high as that prevailing in the SAF.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise for a clarification from the Minister on clause 4 of the Bill where it says:

'Where an officer is found guilty of any of the offences specified in the Schedule to this Act by any person authorised by regulations made under this Act'

May I know from the Minister who is the person who has been authorized by regulations? Is it a board or is it a single person?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Member for Anson asking as to who makes the regulations?

Mr Jeyaretnam: The person authorized by regulations. Is that a single person or a board?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, if he looks at the provisions of the Vigilante Corps Act, it provides for persons who may exercise disciplinary functions. If he looks at the Act as a whole, he will find that powers are given, for instance, in amended section 17, "where a subordinate officer is found guilty by a disciplinary officer", in which case it will be an individual. So to determine the persons authorized, one will have to refer to the entirety of the Act which defines specific cases of who is the disciplinary officer authorized to do so. But I specifically refer him to the amended section 17 which talks of a disciplinary officer with respect to specific different sections of the Act.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed

to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Prof Jayakumar].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed,