<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Feb 9, 2009
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>366 CL detentions in 5 yrs <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Kor Kian Beng
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Mr Wong said 'the Act is used for the maintenance of public order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs relating to essential services.' -- PHOTO: ST
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->THE last five years saw 366 detentions and 272 releases made under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in a written reply to Parliament on Monday.
This was in response to queries from Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who asked for the number of detainees held and released in each of the last five years.
Mr Wong said 'the Act is used for the maintenance of public order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs relating to essential services.'
It is also used for the detention and supervision of persons in the interests of public safety, peace and good order, added Mr Wong, before he gave figures on the number of detentions and releases from 2004 to 2008.
Mr Siew also asked for the common reasons for detentions made under the Act, which was passed in 1955.
Mr Wong said the Act is 'only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are not willing or afraid to testify in court.' He added: 'Most cases dealt with under the Act are related to secret societies, drug trafficking or loansharking.'
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>366 CL detentions in 5 yrs <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Kor Kian Beng
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Mr Wong said 'the Act is used for the maintenance of public order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs relating to essential services.' -- PHOTO: ST
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->THE last five years saw 366 detentions and 272 releases made under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in a written reply to Parliament on Monday.
This was in response to queries from Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who asked for the number of detainees held and released in each of the last five years.
Mr Wong said 'the Act is used for the maintenance of public order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs relating to essential services.'
It is also used for the detention and supervision of persons in the interests of public safety, peace and good order, added Mr Wong, before he gave figures on the number of detentions and releases from 2004 to 2008.
Mr Siew also asked for the common reasons for detentions made under the Act, which was passed in 1955.
Mr Wong said the Act is 'only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are not willing or afraid to testify in court.' He added: 'Most cases dealt with under the Act are related to secret societies, drug trafficking or loansharking.'
