Inquiry Commissions (Amendment) Ordinance

Bill No. 134/1961

Read the first time on 22nd March 1961.

An Ordinance to amend the Inquiry Commissions Ordinance (Chapter 52 of the Revised Edition).

Be it enacted by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore, as follows: —

Short title

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Inquiry Commissions (Amendment) Ordinance, 1961.

Amendment of section 7

2. Section 7 of the Inquiry Commissions Ordinance (hereinafter in this Ordinance referred to as the “principal Ordinance”) is hereby amended —

(a)	by inserting immediately after the word “examine” appearing at the end of paragraph (a) thereof the words “and to determine the order in which such witnesses shall be examined”;
(b)	by deleting paragraph (e) thereof; and
(c)	by re-lettering paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) thereof as paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) respectively.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 12

3. Section 12 of the principal Ordinance is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Definition of contempt

12. Any person who —

(a)	offers any act of disrespect or any insult or threat to the Commissioners or any of them while sitting in Commission;
(b)	offers any act of disrespect or any insult or threat to a Commissioner at any other time and place on account of his proceedings in his capacity as a Commissioner; or
(c)	being required by the Commissioners to give evidence on oath or affirmation or to produce a document or other thing, refuses to do so,

shall be guilty of contempt.”.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 13

4. Section 13 of the principal Ordinance is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Penalty for contempt

13. Any person who is guilty of contempt as defined in section 12 of this Ordinance against the Commissioners or any of them shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding three thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.”.

Amendment of section 14

5. Section 14 of the principal Ordinance is hereby amended by deleting the figures “12” appearing at the end of subsections (1) and (2) thereof and substituting therefor in each case the figures “13”.

Amendment of section 19

6. Section 19 of the principal Ordinance is hereby amended —

(a)	by deleting the words “District Judge” at the end thereof and substituting therefor the words “Judge of the Supreme Court”; and
(b)	by deleting the word “District” appearing in the marginal note thereto.

Search within Legislation