CASE OF IMPERSONATION IN AMOY QUEE CAMP

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Question* No. 2, Dr Lau.

*Question No. 1 addressed to the Prime Minister will be taken at 2.30 pm, pursuant to the resolution of the House on 4th March, 1985.

Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence if he will give details of the case concerning the person who impersonated a major and entered the 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment, Amoy Quee Camp on May 9, 1985, and what measures are being taken to prevent an occurrence of such a serious breach of security in our Army camps.

The Minister of State for Defence (BG Lee Hsien Loong) (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

There are specific standing orders on security for military camps and installations. They are adequate.

In the incident at 2SIR, a reservist Lance Corporal entered the camp by wearing a Major's uniform and claiming to be a reservist officer. He has been prosecuted in civil court and fined $200 for impersonating a public servant.

The reservist Lance Corporal was able to gain entry because the unit, believing him to be a bona fide senior SAF officer, did not check his identity. This contravenes the SAF's security standing orders which require that all SAF personnel, regardless of rank, produce their identification card for verification when seeking entry into a camp.

All units have been reminded to comply strictly with existing standing orders.

Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens): Sir, could the Minister of State inform the House whether there have been other such cases of impersonation and, if so, could he give details?

BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the figures with me. I do understand that this particular Lance Corporal in question had on previous occasions posed as an SAF officer and gained access to SAF camps.