INTERNAL SECURITY ACT (Abolition)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government will consider abolishing the Internal Security Act now that the Communist Party of Malaya, whose jurisdiction also includes Singapore, has agreed to end its armed rebellion.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, it would be most unwise to abolish the Internal Security Act just becase the CPM has reportedly agreed to terminate hostilities. First, if the CPM in fact terminates hostilities, it still remains to be seen whether this necessarily means the end of all forms of communist subversion.

Secondly, the problems posed by the CPM are not our only security threat. There are also other security threats such as communalism, religious extremism, inter- national terrorism, espionage and subversion from sources other than the communists. For instance, in the early 1970s, we detained chauvinists who attempted to whip up communal feelings on gut issues of race, language and culture. In 1979, five persons were detained under the ISA for attempting to establish an Islamic State by armed means, if necessary. In 1985, two Singaporeans were detained for facilitating the supply of arms to a terrorist group in Sri Lanka. More recently, in April 1987, we detained four persons who were spreading rumours of impending racial clashes and making active preparations for racial disturbances. And in 1987, the Marxist arrests also highlighted the security problems posed by the exploitation and manipulation of religious organisations and religious publications.

Thirdly, Sir, we can abolish the ISA only when the security situation in Malaysia has enabled them to abolish their ISA. The internal security of Singapore and Malaysia are closely interlinked. Mr Lee Kuan Yew stated this way back in October 1958, more than 30 years ago, in the run-up to the May 1959 elections and before he became Prime Minister. He made this an election issue and the PAP won the elections. He reiterated this most recently in May last year before the September 1988 general elections. This inter-relatedness endures because both countries face common security problems - communism and communalism. Although the threat posed by the communists has receded, the problems posed by the communalists have not. Any instability and turmoil in Malaysia will affect Singapore and vice versa. The hon. Member for Potong Pasir could not have forgotten May 13, 1969, when racial riots in Kuala Lumpur spilled over to Singapore.

Therefore, Sir, the announcement of CPM's cessation of hostilities does not render the ISA unnecessary. It is still needed to effectively deal with internal security problems.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Will the Minister tell the House whether or not there is a threat of communist subversion in Singapore today?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, communist subversion may have receded but it has not disappeared.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Even if the Government should not repeal the ISA today, would the Government consider relaxing the conditions on political detainees and release them unconditionally and immediately? I refer in particular to Chia Thye Poh who has been in prison for more than 23 years. The Minister should know that.

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the conditions which are imposed on any detainee upon his release are guided solely on security considerations and with a view to ensuring that they do not return to the subversive activities for which they were in the very first place detained. When the assessment of the Internal Security Department is that the conditions need no longer apply, they will be removed.

Mr Chiam See Tong: The Minister has said that communist subversion in Singapore today has receded but has not completely disappeared. At this stage, does it justify having the Internal Security Act, which is really aimed at communist subversion?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, in my reply, I thought I have outlined that the problem posed by the communists and the CPM is not the only security threat which we have in Singapore. And even if it completely disappears, there are other threats to our security which I have outlined and I do not want to repeat them.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, the Minister is saying that there is really no need for the Internal Security Act to contain communist subversion. He is saying that there are in fact other threats like communalism. I take the Minister's point. But this House will soon be passing laws to restrict people from mixing their religious activities with politics. Why can the Government not pass specific laws to also contain a problem with regard to communalism in Singapore? What people are objecting ---

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, please ask your question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Why is the Government not willing to pass laws to contain communalism and other specific problems instead of wanting to maintain the Internal Security Act?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member should read the Internal Security Act. It is a law designed to deal with any threat, any problem, which is prejudicial to the security of Singapore. And from the few examples that I recited, it must be clear to Members that the types of security threats which have arisen and which can arise are innumerable. For that reason, as I said, it will be unwise to abolish the ISA.

As for the legislation on religion and politics which has not been tabled yet in this House, let me say that even if we have separate legislation on religion and politics, there will still be a need for the ISA. I would suggest that the Member await for the Bill on religion and politics, then he can make his point at the appropriate time.