CHIA THYE POH (Lifting of restrictive condition)

5. To ask the Minister for Home Affairs why the Government requires Chia Thye Poh to return to Sentosa Island in the evenings.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh (Non-Constituency Member): Question No. 5, Sir.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, in releasing Chia in May 1989, the Government stressed that he had refused to renounce the CPM or disavow the use of force. Hence, his release was subject to strict conditions, including limiting his stay to Sentosa, as it was important to ensure that his release posed no security risks.

The Government has recently decided to relax the conditions to allow him to visit the main island during the day. This is not because Chia has been fully rehabilitated but because Communism is on the wane world-wide and ISD had recommended therefore that Chia, at this stage, be given limited access to the main island without undue security risks. By so relaxing this condition on Chia and allowing him more exposure to the main island, it is hoped he will gradually appreciate the futility of Communism and see how well Singaporeans have progressed without Communism.

As he has not been fully rehabilitated, he cannot be given unlimited access to the main island and he will have to return to Sentosa in the evenings.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Sir, is it a form of probation for Mr Chia?

Prof. S. Jayakumar: Sir, Dr Lee can use whatever term. All it means is that the Government is going to exercise extreme caution.