ELECTIONS IN SINGAPORE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 13

ELECTIONS IN SINGAPORE

All Police To Be On Duty

(Rec. 7 p.m.) . SINGAPORE, May 26. Intensive security measures will be taken when Singapore votes on May 30 at general elections. Every man of the police force will be on duty. Local and British Navy, Army, and Air Force men will be standing by in case of civil disturbances, and a brigade group of Gurkha troops has been stationed on the island of Blakan Mati. three miles off Singapore. Fast boats and landing craft are ready to bring them to Singapore proper.

British servicemen have been warned to avoid bars, night clubs and polling centres on May 30 to prevent any possible clashes with local people. Singapore’s hard-hitting reserve unit (riot squad) will be on duty at key centres, witlj their red painted electrified riot vans. They are equipped with steel helmets, clubs, wicker shields, tear gas and rifles. Local police and Army men will be taken off duty in small groups through the day. They will change into civilian clothes before casting their votes. Then they will return to duty. At present there is no indication that there will be any civil troubles connected with the elections;

. Campaigning has been vigorous, but with a minimum of incidents. But mob violence has flared before ip Singapore with kittle warning.