§ 56. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the names of the six members of the Singapore Legislative Assembly who have recently been arrested; what charges have been brought against them; and what provision has been made to enable them to attend to their parliamentary duties pending their trial.
§ Mr. SandysI understand that ten members of the Singapore Legislative Assembly have been arrested in connection with the disturbances on 22nd April, that they have all been charged and brought before the court, and that they have all been released on bail and pending trial are free to carry out their parliamentary duties. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving their names and details of the charges which have been brought against them.
The names of the arrested Assembly-men are Miss Fung Yin Chin, Ong Chang Sam, Tee Kim Lang, Wong Soon Fong, Lin You Eng, Madam Hoe Puay Choo, Leong Keng Seng, Tan Cheng Tong. Dr. Lee Siew Choh. and Chan Sun Wing.Of these, the first eight have been charged with
- (i) attempting to overawe the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet by criminal force with the intention of compelling them to refrain from exercising their powers under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance;
- (ii) being members of an unlawful assembly whose common object was to overawe the Executive Government of the State;
- (iii) rioting while members of an unlawful assembly;
141 - (iv) assaulting public servants who were discharging their duties in endeavouring to disperse an unlawful assembly.
Dr. Lee Siew Choh has been charged with abetting these persons in the commission of the first three offences. Chan Sun Wing has been charged with the same offence as Dr. Lee Siew Choh, and also with abetting certain persons unknown involved in an attempt to overawe the Government by instigating them to commit the offence of intentionally giving false evidence in a judicial proceeding.