OPERATION SENJATA

Mr Ng Kah Ting: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give the reasons for launching Operation Senjata and an evaluation of the operation, and whether the publicity which accompanied the operation was necessary.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Ng Kah Ting.

Mr Lim Boon Heng (Kebun Baru): Question No. 6.

The Acting Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there was a sudden upsurge in crimes, particularly robberies, housebreakings and thefts of motor vehicles for the first 10 months of this year as compared to the same period in 1982. In recent months, the situation has been aggravated by the occurrence of several violent crimes in which firearms were used. A feeling of insecurity and unease among the public was developing.

Police therefore had to respond, and decided to launch a series of intensive island-wide anti-crime operation code-named "Operation Senjata" which was timed for the festive season, when crime could be expected to increase. The overall objective was to keep up pressure on potentially criminal groups, to emphasize our efforts to maintain law and order, and to serve as a reminder to criminal elements that tough action will be taken against them. The specific objectives were:

(1) to increase police presence on the ground and thereby help strengthen the feeling of public security and order;

(2) to intensify discreet checks in locations which have been found to have habitually attracted criminals, and thereby deter crime;

(3) to intensify efforts in apprehending specific targets wanted in connection with major offences committed in recent months.

The operation was certainly a success in meeting these objectives. First, the operation which deployed uniformed officers drawn from the Divisional Police, Police Task Force, Volunteer Special Constabulary and non-operational Commands, had increased public perception of Police presence and enhanced public confidence. 3.30 pm

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Copies of the answers (See section 'Oral Answers to Questions Not Reached' (Cols. 273 - 294) to the Questions not reached shall be sent by the Hon. Ministers to whom they are addressed to the hon. Members who asked the Questions and to the Clerk.