Inquiry Commissions Act
Chapter 48, 1970 Revised Edition
Commission
N 32
G.N. No. S 436/1983

REVISED EDITION 1990
( )
[11 February 1983]
By C. V. DEVAN NAIR, President of the Republic of Singapore.
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Whereas it is provided by the Inquiry Commissions Act that it shall be lawful for the President, whenever he shall deem it advisable, to issue a Commission appointing one or more Commissioners to inquire, inter alia, into any matter in which an inquiry would in the opinion of the President be for the public welfare:
And whereas I am of the opinion that it is in the public welfare that an inquiry should forthwith be made by Commissioners so appointed in accordance with the following terms of reference, namely:
(a)to inquire into the circumstances leading to and determine the cause of the Sentosa cable car accident on 29th January 1983;
(b)to examine current regulations governing the use of waters and facilities alongside that part of the channel between Sentosa Island and the main island of Singapore and to make recommendations for any amendments thereto;
(c)to make recommendations for such appropriate safety measures which can be taken in order to prevent a similar occurrence.
Now, therefore, I, C. V. DEVAN NAIR, hereby appoint the following persons, namely:
(a)Mr. Justice Lai Kew Chai;
(b)Capt. Peter Ho; and
(c)Capt. R. F. Short,
to be Commissioners and hereby authorize the said Commissioners to conduct such inquiry in the manner hereinafter directed:
1.  I direct that Mr. Justice Lai Kew Chai shall be the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry;
2.  I direct that the first sitting of the Commission shall take place in the High Court on such date and at such hour as the Chairman may designate;
3.  I direct that the Commission shall normally hold its sittings in the High Court but shall have power, in the discretion of the Chairman, to adjourn to any suitable place to hear evidence or for any other purpose connected with its duties;
4.  I direct that the Inquiry shall be held in public:
Provided that the Chairman may in his discretion direct that any evidence shall be heard in camera or otherwise recorded without being made available to the public;
5.  I appoint Mr. Teh Kong Leong to be Secretary to the Commission and to exercise the powers conferred and to carry out the duties imposed upon such Secretary as are referred to in section 6 of the said Inquiry Commissions Act, and I authorize the said Secretary to employ such clerical or other assistance for the purpose of the Inquiry as the Commission may require. In case of necessity, I also authorize the Commission to appoint any suitable person temporarily to act as Secretary;
6.  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 and to perform such ministerial duties as the Commission may direct; and
7.  Finally, I direct the Commissioners, after completing the Inquiry, to render to me their report and recommendations thereon.
Given at Singapore this 5th day of February 1983.
By Command,