CIVIC SOCIETIES (Declaration as political organisations)

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government will declare any of the existing civic societies as political organisations under the Political Donations Act.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, the Government currently has no plans to gazette any civic organisation as a political association under the Political Donations Act.

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin (Nominated Member): Sir, can I ask the Minister to clarify and confirm that they have reviewed the activities of all civil societies which are engaged wholly or partially in politics and have justified and assured itself that a gazette under the Political Donations Acts is not necessary?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: As I have said, the Government currently has no plans to gazette any civic organisation.

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin: Could the Minister of State tell the House how the Minister would exercise the discretionary powers in deciding which of the organisations are to be declared as political organisations?

My second question is: how can the Minister assure this House that such wide discretionary powers are not used solely for partisan political agenda that is to be used against groups whose views differ from that of the Government?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, this matter has been debated widely and thoroughly during the Second Reading speech of the Minister in this House. In fact, in his speech he also mentioned the factors that he would consider in deciding whether or not to gazette any civic organisation, ie, the objects and activities of the organisations, its links with foreign organisations and the support it receives from foreign organisations.

Sir, clearly this Bill is not a Bill designed to benefit any political party, whether PAP or otherwise. It is a Bill that benefits Singapore and Singaporeans. I think all of us in this House and all Singaporeans will agree that foreigners should not attempt to influence the domestic political process through this means of providing funding to any group in Singapore.