CULTS

Mr Gerard Ee asked the Minister for Home Affairs how his Ministry assesses registered groups which have been branded as cults by another government; whether it merely endorses the decision made by that government or carries out a separate assessment to come to an independent decision.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, the Government, being a secular body, is not concerned with issues of religious doctrinal purity or deviance. We do not act against legally registered groups merely because they have been labelled as "cults". We are concerned only if the activities of a group contravene our laws, or are prejudicial to national security or interests, public peace, welfare or good order in Singapore. We would act against any such group, regardless of whether it has been branded a "cult" by other governments.

Mr Gerard Ee (Nominated Member): Sir, I would like to find out from the Minister the status of the Falungong group in Singapore.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the Falungong group is registered in Singapore as the Falun Buddha Society. As long as they do not, like I said, breach the law or do anything that is against public law and order, their activities can continue in Singapore.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): Sir, I understand that an incident happened in Sentosa, where Falungong members distributed some pamphlets and they were arrested. I do not know whether this is true. Would the Minister of State clarify on what happened?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, I am not aware of such an incident. Certainly, the general principle is that if anyone breaches the law, he will be dealt with according to the law.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, what is Government's stand on the practice of Falungong?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, as I have said, Falungong practitioners practise qigong in locations in Singapore. If they do not do anything that is unlawful or against the law, they will be allowed to continue.