EMPLOYMENT OF GURKHA MERCENARIES

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Home Affairs why is there the necessity to employ mercenaries like the Gurkhas to guard key areas in Singapore when we are already spending so much money on national defence.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, first, may I have clarification from the Member for Potong Pasir. Since his question refers to provision for expenditure on national defence, do I take it that the question he is asking really is: why provisions for national defence include provision for Gurkhas, and why is it that Gurkhas form part of our Armed Forces? Can I take it that that is his question?

Mr Chiam See Tong: Perhaps the Minister could clarify exactly what the Gurkhas are here for and in what capacity. And then I will answer that question.

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Potong Pasir looks at the provisions in the Budget, it will be clear to him that National Defence has got no provision for Gurkhas. And the Gurkhas are here not as part of the Armed Forces but as members of the Police Force for purposes of internal security and law and order.

Sir, there are two reasons why we have Gurkhas in Singapore. The first reason is that they have a well-established reputation for toughness, alertness, mental and physical resilience in adversity and for total dependability, self-discipline, utter loyalty and fearlessness in the execution of their duties. They obey their orders to the end and do not deviate from instructions given to them. These qualities have stood the test of time and have won them world -wide acclaim.

The Gurkhas have been in Singapore since 1949. Our experience is that secret society gangsters and all other criminals in Singapore have a healthy respect for the Gurkhas. They are not only known to be tough and fearless in enforcing the law but, because they are not part of Singaporean society, they are not so vulnerable to intimidation, influence and corruption.

The second reason is that they have a record for complete impartiality when serving in a multi-racial society. This is especially valuable in any communal situation where tensions may be high and violence can flare up. A Gurkha will obey orders and keep the peace regardless of which racial group is causing the trouble. All racial groups know that the Gurkhas will brook no nonsense from anyone and will side with no one in establishing peace and order. Their effectiveness in performing this role has been proven in the racial riots of the 1950s and the 1960s.

Sir, the Gurkhas are thus neutral and impartial implementors of the law and are regarded as such. In the event of any communal tension, their very presence would have both a deterrent as well as a calming and reassuring effect on all racial groups.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, we have heard all the good qualities of the Gurkhas' toughness, resilience, impartiality, loyalty and a whole list of other good points. Is the Minister saying that our own citizens are lacking in all these qualities?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, both as a Singaporean and as a member of the Government, I am very proud of our own Police Force and have absolute confidence in them. And I think we all can have confidence in them. The question really is: when we have had, since the 1940s, the presence in Singapore of the world's toughest and best fighters as part of our law enforcement team, do we now pack them off, or should we keep them here for the reasons that I have given, to augment our Police Force? I think the answer is obvious. It is in our interest to keep them for so long as we can get them and for so long as they are prepared to be here.

Mr Chiam See Tong: In 1940-49, that was the period when we were under the British.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, it is no use repeating history. Ask your supplementary question, please.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Minister, we are now an independent country. Is it really necessary to employ mercenaries in place of our own citizens? Is that not a smack on the face of our own citizens? They have all these qualities. You say you have confidence in the Police Force. Why do you not let them take over the job of the Gurkhas?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already given the reasons for the presence of the Gurkhas. Whether we are independent or not is irrelevant. There are other independent countries which also employ Gurkhas, both developing and developed countries. As to whether this reflects on the confidence of the Police, let me say that I have posed the question to my Commissioner of Police. I have asked him that, as a professional police officer and as the Commissioner of Police, what was his response to the question Mr Chiam had posed, and which I had anticipated. His view was categoric. He said to me that he would not recommend the dismantling of the Gurkha Contingent now or in the near future. As to whether their presence in Singapore affects the confidence or the morale of the Police, again his answer was categorically no. The morale of the Police Force is in no way affected because they are here for special reasons and everyone knows it.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, may I ask the Minister what are the key areas that are guarded by the Gurkhas in Singapore?

Prof. Jayakumar: He wants to know the key areas. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is both foolhardy and dangerous for me, as the Minister in charge of security, to openly divulge and discuss the security and protective measures which I have put in place for both local and foreign VIPs and vital installations in Singapore. We will be only playing into the hands of trouble makers, crackpots, saboteurs, arsonists and assassins.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Last question, Sir. Is the residence of the Prime Minister guarded by Gurkhas?

Prof. Jayakumar: Is it true that the Gurkhas are guarding the Prime Minister's residence? It is true. Is it true that they are the only ones who are guarding the Prime Minister's residence? The answer is no. And beyond that, I think it will be stupid for any Member of the House to ask me more details of any of the other protective and security measures.