UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE (Complaint by Member for Potong Pasir)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Order. I have an announcement to make on a matter concerning the conduct of an honourable Member of the House.

On 4th November 1995, I received a written complaint dated 3rd November 1995 from the Member for Potong Pasir, Mr Chiam See Tong, stating that the Member for Bukit Gombak, Mr Ling How Doong, had uttered certain unparliamentary words at him during the sitting on 3rd November 1995 and asking that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges. In another letter dated 7th November 1995, Mr Chiam also mentioned the names of Members who heard these words uttered by Mr Ling. Mr Chiam's letter (Cols. 407 - 408) to me dated 3rd November 1995 has been circulated to Members. Mr Chiam's letter (Cols. 407 - 408)

I did not hear these remarks contained in the complaint of Mr Chiam though I saw Mr Ling engaging in conversation with somebody else. At that moment, I called Mr Ling to order and asked him to resume his seat and reminded Mr Ling to refrain from engaging in conversation with others in the House as that was not the proper way to participate in a debate of the House, whereupon Mr Ling remarked "When he is unparliamentary, why should I be parliamentary to him?".

On receipt of the complaint by Mr Chiam, I wrote to Mr Ling on 14th November 1995, asking for his response to Mr Chiam's complaint. Mr Ling, in his written explanation on 17th November 1995, said that other than certain words, he could not recall the rest and that he had uttered those words because he was provoked by remarks made by Mr Chiam. Mr Ling's letter (Cols. 409 - 410) to me has also been circulated to Members. Mr Ling's letter (Cols. 409 - 410)

I have perused the Official Report of the Parliamentary Debates where it was recorded that Mr Ling had uttered the words that he had admitted to in his letter of 17th November 1995, which language I find to be unparliamentary and, as such, it is a breach of Standing Order 48(4). I am also of the opinion that the words "When he is unparliamentary, why should I be parliamentary to him?", in response to my order to refrain from engaging in conversation with others in the House and to resume his seat, are contemptuous of the Chair and undermine the dignity of the House.

At a meeting with Mr Ling on 30th November 1995 in my chambers I informed Mr Ling that no matter what the provocation was, he had no excuse to use unparliamentary language in the House. Mr Ling agreed unreservedly to withdraw his unparliamentary remarks contained in the Official Report and to apologise to the House. He will also apologise for being contemptuous of, and disregarding the authority of the Chair when he continued to remark "When he is unparliamentary, why should I be parliamentary to him?" when called to resume his seat.

I will now call upon Mr Ling to make his statement.

Mr Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak): Mr Speaker, Sir, I unreservedly withdraw the words directed at the Member for Potong Pasir which were recorded in the Official Report.

I apologise to the House for having affronted its dignity in uttering those words and also for disregarding the authority of the Chair when asked to resume my seat.

Mr Speaker: May I make it clear to hon. Members that the use of unparliamentary language by Members undermines the dignity and decorum of the House. Under no circumstances should a Member indulge in language that would lower the standing of this House. If a Member has heard unparliamentary language used against him, the proper procedure is for the Member to draw the Speaker's attention to the matter and not to aggravate the situation by using unparliamentary language. The Chair will not hesitate to enforce discipline and order in the House to uphold its good name.

In my years in the House I cannot recall any similar instance of such unparliamentary language having been used by a Member. I hope that this incident will be the last of its sort.