LATE SENATOR BENIGNO AQUINO (Information on Movements)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture whether the Singapore government gave any information to the Government of the Philippines or its Army about the movements of the late Senator Benigno Aquino before his arrival in Manila and, if so, what information was given.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, on 19th August 1983, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Philippine Embassy that it had information that the late Senator Benigno Aquino had arrived in Singapore on 16th August and had already left on the morning of 19th August by Pan-Am bound for Hong Kong, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, as I understand the Minister to say the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed the Philippines Government, may I ask whether the Philippines Government or any agency made a request for his information and for his movements to be monitored?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, nobody asked us but at that time there was considerable speculation as to when and how Senator Aquino would get into Manila. Since the Philippines is a friendly country, information about the arrival and departure of Aquino was passed on to the Philippine Embassy as normal diplomatic courtesy.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Does the Minister not realise that his answer does not really reveal anything? He is getting clever at this game. Would the Minister say what was the reason? Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pass on information to other governments every time one of their nationals passes through Singapore?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid I cannot explain to the Member in anything other than simple English. I thought I was quite clear. I said we were not asked, and I gave the reason why we gave the information - that it was normal courtesy, since the Philippines is a friendly country, to provide such information in the light of the fact that there was considerable speculation about his arrival in Manila.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member is pursuing a line where he is implying that there was something nefarious to what we have done. If so, he should state so.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am here to ask questions, not to answer questions. It is for the Ministers to answer questions here. Now, the Minister keeps saying "in the light", but what was compelling in this "light" that made it necessary for the Singapore Government to give this information?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I find it difficult to explain in any simpler language than what I have said. I have already explained very clearly why and what the circumstances were that led us to giving this information. He says his job is to ask questions. I am quite aware, Sir. One fool can ask more questions than a thousand wisemen can answer. But what is his line? He is trying to imply that there was something underhand about this information that we provided. If that is what he is implying, why does he not say so? I have got an answer to that.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister answer the question, Is it the usual rule for his Ministry to supply information to governments every time a national of the country passes through Singapore? I asked that question and he has not answered that question.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, this is really getting us nowhere.

Mr Jeyaretnam: No, it isn't.

Mr Dhanabalan: I have stated clearly what the circumstances were. Surely, circumstances will vary from time to time.

Mr Jeyaretnam: What were the circumstances?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry. We are not here to educate the Member for Anson. If he does not read the newspapers, he is not aware of what was happening in Manila. I think he was not aware because he has never shown any interest in events in the Philippines until he read a report in the Straits Times on the 13th of October, which was based on a draft report and which referred to the information that we had provided the Philippine Embassy here, The very next day, without waiting, he rushed to the nearest phone, I think, and telephoned in a statement saying that he intended to raise this question of the Government. He never showed any interest in the Philippines before, and if he does not know what the circumstances were in the Philippines before Aquino arrived in Manila, then I am afraid this House is not the place where he is going to be educated. He should go and read the newspapers for himself.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Is the Minister really so obtuse that he does not understand questions directed at him?

The Second Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs) (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Obtuse questions will obtain obtuse answers.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, we are not talking about the circumstances in the Philippines. What I want to know is what were the circumstances that prompted Singapore to supply this information? Secondly, may I know why his Ministry declined to comment on this when they were asked on the 14th whether this was true? Why conceal it?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not going to answer his first question because I have repeated more than once what the circumstances were. As to his second question, unlike the Member for Anson, the Ministry does not comment on newspaper reports based on reporters' speculations on drafts which were leaked in Manila. The official report was not out until the 24th of October. It was true. Has the Member read the Agrava Report? May I ask him - have you read the Agrava Report?

Mr Jeyaretnam: If it was true, why decline comment?

Mr Speaker: Let us go to the second Question. Mr Jeyaretnam.