REGISTERED SOCIETIES (Non-citizen officials)

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will inform the House of the number of registered societies which have non-citizen officials and whether such a situation is acceptable to the Government.

Prof. Jayakumar (for the Minister of Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 1st March this year, there were 3,133 registered societies. Of these, 617 or 20% had non-Singapore citizens on their management committees. Only political societies are restricted to Singapore citizens.

Membership of non-political societies is not confined to Singapore citizens. There are adequate safeguards to prevent foreigners from making use of these societies for unlawful purposes or for purposes against the national interest. Groups seeking registration are required to state the objects of the proposed society and to provide the names and particulars of the pro-tem committee members. Each application is carefully considered to ensure that registration is not detrimental to national interest. Registered societies are also required to submit returns stating the names and particulars of persons elected each year to the management committee. Any society used for unlawful purposes or for purposes incompatible with its objects and rules can be dissolved. There is, therefore, no compelling reason at present to restrict membership of all societies to Singapore citizens. Such a move would deprive societies, such as charitable and civic organizations, of the useful contributions made by non-citizen officials.