GEYLANG POLICE DIVISION (Reasons for dissolution)

Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will explain the reasons for the dissolution of the Geylang Police Division.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, the police is always looking for ways to serve our people better. For this reason, it is constantly reviewing a system of policing and, if necessary, the boundaries of our Police Land Divisions.

The closure of Geylang Police Division on 17th December last year was a result of this review. After careful study, the police concluded that its operational effectiveness would be enhanced, and the public better served, by reorganising its resources from seven into six Police Divisions, each with its complement of Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) and Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs). Thus, the areas formerly under the jurisdiction of Geylang Police Division have been absorbed under Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Tanglin Police Divisions. This reorganisation enables the police to operate closer to areas where its services are most needed, such as areas of high population density.

Sir, the police has opened four new Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) to serve the needs of the residents in the area formerly covered by Geylang Division. Apart from Geylang NPC, which in fact occupies the former Geylang Division building, the police has also established the Marine Parade, Hougang and Serangoon NPCs. With the opening of these four NPCs, police services have been brought even closer to the residents.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Sir, as I understand the Minister of State, reducing police divisions from seven to six was part of the reorganisation. Was there any particular reason why Geylang Division was chosen to be closed down?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, Police reorganisation is done systematically and carefully. In fact, police decided to follow the URA's Development Guide Plans. Under the URA Development Guide Plans, there are five regions. But in the Police scheme of things, there are six, because the central region is a big one. So there are two divisions there - Central and Tanglin. For the eastern region, we have got Bedok and Geylang under this redivision. Between the two, the Police decided to close down Geylang Division because it was smaller. This is all very rational and there is no discriminatory treatment.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister of State tell us whether the prosecutions of some officers from the Geylang Division for their links with gambling and brothel operators were one of the reasons for closing down the Geylang Division?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, I do not think Mr Jeyaretnam has a police mindset. The police does not work on such short-term considerations. It is an overall review, looking at both the immediate and also long-term considerations, and also in line with the repackaging of services. I do not know whether Mr Jeyaretnam is in tune with the many things that have happened which other Members know. In the Committee of Supply debate, we had, in fact, extensively debated the police's reorganisation over the last three years. The NPC Scheme started in 1997 and it has been rolling out. So this is a big planned review that will ultimately and, in fact, is already benefitting Singaporeans. Singaporeans already served by NPCs have said this.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Could the Minister please, for once, answer the question? Did the prosecutions have anything to do with the reason for choosing Geylang Police Division? May we have an answer?

Mr Speaker: Order. Can I ask the Member not to repeat his question? Because he will just get the same answer. The answer has been given. I do not see why the Member has to repeat his question. Do you have any other question, Mr Jeyaretnam?

Mr Jeyaretnam: You have disallowed the question. So there is no other question.