SUICIDE OF PIG FARMER IN PONGGOL

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will make a statement on the death of the pig farmer in Ponggol who was driven to take his own life after service of a notice on him for the resettlement of his farm and if he will make public the written note left by the man.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: According to the State Coroner, there was a pig farmer in Ponggol who took his own life on 17 June 1983, The Coroner's Court was told that a notice served on the deceased by the Primary Production Department to clear his farm caused the depression that subsequently led to his suicide. If this was so, the unfortunate incident is the only one we know of among nearly 198,000 cases, including 8,292 farmers, that have been cleared by the Resettlement Department over the past two decades.

The deceased was eligible for resettlement compensation of $162,180.91. This sum will be paid to his widow. In addition, she will be eligible for priority allocation of a flat as well as a shop or a workshop to take up an alternative trade.

I understand that a note left behind by the deceased was tendered as evidence in the Coroner's Court. The Member for Anson should know that I have no power to make public evidence that has been tendered in a Coroner's Court or any other court. If the Member for Anson is interested in the note, he should apply to the Coroner to see it.