GENERAL ELECTION

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Prime Minister when the next general election shall be held.

The Prime Minister (Mr Goh Chok Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, the next general election shall be held not later than 5th April 1997.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Was there any substance in the widespread rumour that the general election was scheduled to be held on 17th December last year and was cancelled?

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, your question is out of order. No reference is to be made to any rumour.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Was the Prime Minister aware that even syndicated gamblers could pinpoint that the election date was 17th December last year?

The Prime Minister: The Prime Minister was not aware.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Was there any possible leak in the Prime Minister's Office which generated such a lot of betting for that particular date for election to be held?

The Prime Minister: There could be no possibility of a leak because I had not yet decided on when the election would be held.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Was the Prime Minister aware that teachers were told not to go on overseas holiday and police officers were also told not to take leave last December?

The Prime Minister: I was not aware.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Is the Prime Minister aware that whenever an election seems to be coming, there would be widespread betting on that date?

The Prime Minister: That I am aware.

Mr Chiam See Tong: In view of trying to curb such gambling which might bring down the seriousness of these elections, would the Prime Minister be willing to fix elections at regular fixed dates, say, August or December of every fourth year after the last general election?

The Prime Minister: The answer is no. Even if we fix a particular date, I think that gambling would also be prevalent, perhaps on the result of the election. You cannot eradicate gambling just by simply fixing a date for the election.

Mr Chiam See Tong: If the Prime minister is not willing to have fixed dates for general elections, would the Prime Minister give us the reasons for that?

The Prime Minister: The Prime Minister follows what is written in the Constitution religiously.

Mr Chiam See Tong: But regular practice has it that general elections seem to be held every four years rather than three years. Why not start a precedent by having elections every four years so that all those who wish to take part will not be inconvenienced and I think it would be fairer to everybody? In fact, it would be in line with the Prime Minister's declaration that he wants to have openness. Let us have openness in regard to the general election.

The Prime Minister: The present practice has worked very well and there is no compelling reason whatsoever to change the practice. Mr Chiam suggested that we should change the practice in order to eradicate illegal gambling. I do not see that as a compelling reason for us to change the current practice of having an election within a certain date as stipulated in the Constitution. May I suggest that Mr Chiam should always be ready for election which may be called at any time before the due date.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I have always been ready. Would it not be better for everybody to have regular dates for general elections to be held? What is there for the Government to fear since the Government has always said that it has got a good record?

The Prime Minister: The Government has got nothing to fear. When an election is due, due notice will be given to everybody concerned and the election will be fought on the usual practice.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Is the Prime Minister's tactic always to ambush the Opposition?

The Prime Minister: If the Opposition falls into an ambush, that is the fault of the Opposition.