FALUNGONG MEMBERS

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will inform the House as to the actions taken, and the reasons for the actions, against Falungong members in the recent public demonstration on New Year's Eve.

Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Home Affairs what view the Government takes, and the Government's policy, on the followers of the Falungong living in Singapore and whether the Government considers them a threat to the peace and security of Singapore.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, may I take Question Nos. 9 and 10 together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the Falungong society was registered as a society in Singapore in July 1996, under the name of "Falun Buddha Society (Singapore)". As with all other registered societies, the Falun Buddha Society can carry out its activities as long as such activities do not contravene any of our laws.

As for the question by Prof. Chin, on New Year's Eve, acting on information received, the Police arrived at MacRitchie Reservoir Park. There they observed an assembly of about 60 persons. Having ascertained that the assembly had gathered without a permit, the assembly was warned to disperse. Some of them then dispersed. Subsequently, 15 persons were arrested by the Police for holding an assembly without a permit. On 2nd January this year, the 15 persons were charged in the Subordinate Courts for offences under section 4(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Act (Public Order and Nuisance) (Assemblies and Processions) Rules [holding an assembly without a permit] and section 186 of the Penal Code [obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his public functions].

Sir, these matters are now pending in the Subordinate Courts. I have been informed by the Attorney-General's Chambers that the accused persons have indicated that they would be making representations with respect to the charges preferred. For these reasons, it will not be appropriate for me to go into further details of the cases today.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Sir, I do not intend to go into the facts of what took place at MacRitchie Reservoir. Again, I regret it is the Minister of State who is answering these questions on policy. Will the Minister of State tell us, in the first place, what is wrong for members of any society, be it cultural or athletic society, to gather together somewhere and sing songs or put up messages promoting arts, sports or whatever it is? And why was it necessary for the Police to declare this illegal?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, I am not sure whether the question is related to the Question before the House, because Mr Jeyaretnam surely cannot be saying that the assembly that took place at MacRitchie Reservoir was an innocuous assembly where they gathered just to sing songs and it is a cultural event. If any group wants to meet and assemble, they can apply for a permit under the Miscellaneous Act (Public Order and Nuisance) (Assemblies and Processions) Rules, and indeed these have been given. On the ground, the Police has to assess what is the objective and whether or not there will be potential law and order and breach of peace problems. But the key point really is that in this event that took place, no application was made for a permit. And when the Police went there, they clarified that with the group and therefore they have breached the law. I think that is the basic point. They have breached the law. Police had to act and the matter is now before the court. Let us see what the court says.

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Sir, I would like to ask the Minister ---

Mr Jeyaretnam: Is the Minister of State saying ---

Mr Speaker: Order, Mr Jeyaretnam. Mr Sin Boon Ann has the floor.

Mr Sin Boon Ann: Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State whether the Government will move to act against the Falungong society if they are perceived to have a political agenda, other than just an exercise group.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, of course, this is a hypothetical question. The point right now is that the society is a registered society and there is no reason to act against the society. Indeed, the society issued a statement saying that it did not have prior knowledge of the event and that it would not condone any of its members breaching the law.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will the Minister of State tell us why were the facilities of rooms that were offered to this society to conduct classes suddenly withdrawn?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: What facilities is Mr Jeyaretnam talking about?

Mr Jeyaretnam: Were they not given facilities in community centres to conduct their classes?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, if Mr Jeyaretnam knows what happens on the ground, Falungong practitioners gather to do their qigong exercises in many locations in Singapore, in parks and other places. As to what individual community clubs conduct, it is up to the community clubs. If they feel that there is no necessity to conduct an activity, it is up to the community club to decide.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung: Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether the Falungong society has ever applied any permit to conduct public demonstrations or the like?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: The society has applied for various permits before. Over the last few years, they have conducted some activities which have been approved. For example, they have applied for permits to give lectures and talks on qigong exercises, and these have been approved.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will the Minister of State confirm that these facilities were withdrawn after the People's Republic of China started the crackdown on their members in China?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, as I have said, it is up to the community clubs to decide whether or when to hold whatever activities.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister of State was there a direction sent by the Chairman of the People's Association to these community centres to withdraw these facilities? May we have a direct answer?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Not that I know of, Sir.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Could you find out?

Mr Goh Choon Kang (Marine Parade): Sir, can I ask the Minister of State how many of those involved in this particular demonstration were Singaporeans and how many were non-citizens?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, out of the 15 Falungong practitioners who were arrested, two were Singaporeans and the rest were non-Singaporeans.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May we have an assurance from this Government that it will not take orders from Beijing?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Surely Mr Jeyaretnam cannot expect an answer. We are a sovereign country and we act by what is in Singapore's interest.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will you give us an assurance?