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as at 22 Nov 2024

Inquiry Commissions Ordinance

(Chapter 52, Section 1955$ Ed)

Commission

N 21

G.N. No. S 1/1961

REVISED EDITION 1990

(25th March 1992)

[3rd January 1961]

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her Other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

By His Excellency Enche YUSOF BIN ISHAK, Yang di-Pertuan Negara of the State of Singapore.

Whereas it is provided by the Inquiry Commissions Ordinance that it shall be lawful for the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, whenever he shall deem it advisable, to issue a Commission appointing one or more Commissioners to enquire, inter alia, into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, be for the public welfare:

And whereas I am of the opinion that an inquiry should forthwith be made by a Commission so appointed in accordance with the following terms of reference:

(a)

to inquire into the truth of the allegations on the reappointment of Mr. M. R. Marcus in the City Council made by Mr. Ong Eng Guan in the Legislative Assembly on the 10th December 1960 —

“I wonder if this is the way to get away from the P.S.C. in order to give a job to this particular officer who happens to be a brother-in-law of a Minister”.

(b)

to inquire into the truth of the allegations on the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner (Valuation) made by Mr. Ong Eng Guan in the Legislative Assembly on the 12th December 1960 —

“I do not wish to put it to the Minister that many of these recommendations — which I have read myself — are meant for the purpose of fixing up certain things”.

(c)

to inquire into the truth of the allegations on the appointment of Mr. Kwa Soon Chuan as Deputy Commissioner (Valuation) made by Mr. Ong Eng Guan in the Legislative Assembly on the 12th December 1960 —

“In my opinion, there is nothing, as far as I know, to merit this transfer other than the fact that he is the brother-in-law of the Prime Minister”.

Now, therefore, I, YUSOF BIN ISHAK, hereby appoint the Honourable Mr. Justice F. A. Chua to be a Commissioner and hereby authorise the Commissioner to conduct such inquiry in the manner hereinafter directed:

I direct that the first sitting of the Commission shall take place in the Supreme Court, Singapore, on such date and at such hour as the Commissioner may designate.

I direct that the Commission shall normally hold its sittings in the Supreme Court, Singapore, but shall have power in the discretion of the Commissioner to adjourn to any suitable place to hear evidence or for any other purpose connected with its duties.

I direct that the Inquiry shall be held in public:

Provided that the Commissioner may in his discretion direct that any evidence shall be heard in camera or otherwise recorded without being made available to the public.

I appoint Mr. L. N. Van der Beek to be Secretary to the Commission and to attend the sittings thereof and generally to exercise the powers conferred and to carry out the duties imposed upon such Secretary as are referred to in section 6 of the Inquiry Commissions Ordinance, and I authorise the Secretary to employ such clerical or other assistance for the purposes of the Inquiry as the Commissioner may require. In case of necessity I also authorise the Commissioner to appoint any suitable person temporarily to act as Secretary to the Commission.

I direct the Commissioner of Police to detail police constables to attend upon the Commission for the purpose of preserving order during the proceedings, to serve summonses on witnesses or to perform such ministerial duties as the Commission shall direct.

Finally, I direct that the Commissioner after completing the Inquiry render to me his report and findings thereon.

Given at Singapore this 31st day of December 1960.

By His Excellency

’s Command,WONG CHOOI SEN,
Acting Secretary to the Cabinet.

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