PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (Measures taken)

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Acting Minister for Community Development what measures his Ministry is taking in respect of the problems of juvenile delinquency.

The Acting Minister for Community Development (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, my Ministry works closely with other Government agencies and voluntary welfare organisations to provide support services to juvenile offenders and their families. These include residential care, counselling, organised after-school activities and outreach programmes.

The programmes provided by my Ministry include supervision of probationers and rehabilitation programmes in institutions. The probationers' families are always involved in the rehabilitation effort. Workshops and training and counselling sessions are also conducted for the juvenile delinquents as well as to provide support to their parents.

My Ministry also organises programmes to educate the public on parenting skills and on the need for parents to transmit desirable values to their children.

Sir, the problem of juvenile delinquency is multi-faceted in nature. Its solution requires the concerted efforts not only of the Government, but also of the community and, in particular, the family. Hence, the formation of the inter-Ministry committee to look, inter alia, into the problem of juvenile delinquency. The committee comprises representatives from various civic organisations and experts in the social sciences. The committee held its first meeting last Thursday and will complete its report, hopefully, by the middle of next year. Meanwhile, if the Member has any suggestions on the matter, he is very welcome to send them to me. I will ensure that the committee will study them.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: What are the terms of the Committee which he mentioned just now?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: I do not have them right here, but I can send the terms of reference to the Member if he wants.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Yes. Sir, I would also like to ask whether the terms of reference include the following which were reported recently in relation to juvenile delinquency: (1) Parents lack the time to attend counselling session; (2) Some juvenile delinquents say that they are scorned by their peers, or teachers treat them as if they are of no use. (3) These juvenile delinquents also say that they commit crime to attract attention. So what is the solution to these problems?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, the terms of reference cannot detail each and every problem that exists. But I am certain that the Committee will study all aspects of the problem and will certainly address the kinds of issues which the Member has mentioned.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Does his Ministry have any immediate plans to solve the problem rather than wait for the Committee to report?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, as I have mentioned earlier, this is a problem which involves not only the Government but also the community. So I suggest that the Member should wait patiently for the outcome of the Committee's deliberations.