REVIEW OF INTERNAL SECURITY ACT

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he considers it appropriate now to review the Internal Security Act and, if not, why not.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The Internal Security Act (ISA) is still required. There is no question of repealing it.

Singapore still has to contend with the threat of ethnic chauvinism, religious extremism, subversion, international terrorism and espionage. In the last 15 years or so, the Singapore Government has had to use the ISA to contain several of these threats. For instance, in 1979, 5 Muslims were detained under the ISA for attempting to establish an Islamic state by armed means. In 1985, 2 Singaporeans were detained for facilitating the supply of arms to a Sri Lankan terrorist group. In 1987, the Government detained 4 Malays who were spreading rumours of impending racial clashes and making active preparations for communal disturbances. In May/June 1987, the Government arrested 22 persons in connection with a Marxist conspiracy. In 1988, the Government detained Francis Seow following investigations into foreign interference in Singapore's internal affairs.