COMPETITION COMMISSION OF SINGAPORE (Complaints filed)

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COMPETITION COMMISSION OF SINGAPORE:

(Complaints filed): 2.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many complaints have been filed with the Competition Commission of Singapore; (b) whether the complainants were consumers, other businesses, suppliers, or Government agencies; and (c) what is the current disposition of the complaints.

The Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Competition Commission of Singapore has received two complaints since 1st January 2006, when the enforcement provisions of the Competition Act came into force. The complaints were filed by consumers and members of the public.

The Competition Commission is currently looking into these complaints, establishing the facts of the case, the nature and details of the alleged agreement or conduct and its effect on competition. The Commission is unable to reveal more information as all case information must necessarily be kept confidential during this stage when it is still conducting its examination.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang (Nominated Member): I have two supplementary questions for the hon. Minister. Sir, recently the Coffeeshop Association has announced a 10-cent rise in the price of coffee nationwide. This, to me, strikes as an example of price fixing. Will the hon. Minister say whether the Competition Commission will be investigating this case? Before the Competition Act came into force this year, last December, the School Bus Operators Association raised

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fares across the board and affected many school children across all schools. May I ask the hon. Minister if the School Bus Owners Association were to do so again this year, would the Competition Commission investigate them for price fixing?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member raised two questions, but I will take them in a general context. In general, we have trade associations and business associations set up to help its members. Sometimes, they venture into statements which talk about prices of their services. This is a generic issue and we will be looking at this whole issue of associations giving guidelines to their members on prices of their services.