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Grounds ‘to be set out in full’ if Dan Tan is detained

SINGAPORE — Should a new detention order be issued to alleged match-fixer Dan Tan Seet Eng, the grounds for detention will be set out “in full”, to comply with the requirements of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA), said Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam today (Dec 2), as he reiterated that the authorities respect and accept the Court of Appeal’s decision to release Tan from custody last week.

Alleged match-fixer Dan Tan Seet Eng, leaving the Supreme Court after he was set free on Nov 25 after a two year detention. TODAY file photo

Alleged match-fixer Dan Tan Seet Eng, leaving the Supreme Court after he was set free on Nov 25 after a two year detention. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — Should a new detention order be issued to alleged match-fixer Dan Tan Seet Eng, the grounds for detention will be set out “in full”, to comply with the requirements of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA), said Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam today (Dec 2), as he reiterated that the authorities respect and accept the Court of Appeal’s decision to release Tan from custody last week.

Speaking at a press conference on Tan’s sudden re-arrest on Tuesday, Mr Shanmugam was quick to point out that the Government was not disagreeing with the judgment and “proceeding to act as we think right”. 

“The reason why we’re successful in Singapore is because we’ve built up institutions and given them their status under the Constitution, and accorded them due respect. And so, Singapore’s fundamentals depend on strong institutions and upholding their strength and status,” said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister. 

Tan, 51, was nabbed yesterday for “investigations into suspected involvement in criminal activities”, barely a week after he was freed from a two-year detention under the CLTPA. Stressing that investigations were ongoing, Mr Shanmugam declined to confirm if the CLTPA was invoked again.

“I don’t want to preclude options,” he said. “There is a process after arrest … that one goes through. That process will be complied with. The Attorney General’s Chambers will advise us. We’ll look through and then we’ll make a decision as to whether to issue a detention order or take some other step.”

A person can be detained for up to 48 hours from the time of arrest, and the police must seek the decision of the court for further detention. But under the CLTPA, the Home Affairs Minister, can, with the consent of the public prosecutor, detain a suspected criminal without trial for up to a year — subject to annual reviews — to protect public safety and order in Singapore. 

Tan was first arrested in September 2013 in a clampdown on match-fixing activities, and detained under the CLTPA in the following month. 

Last week, the Court of Appeal set Tan free after ruling that his detention under the CLTPA was “unlawful”, as the grounds for detention set out few connections with Singapore. 

Should a new detention order be issued again, it will “set out the grounds fully, adequately”, said Mr Shanmugam. “The Court of Appeal has said that the grounds that are set out must show the nature of his activities and how they impacted Singapore’s public safety.” 

Asked if there had been international pressure to re-arrest Tan, Mr Shanmugam said: “We don’t arrest or release people based on international pressure. We do what is right for Singapore.”

When contacted, Tan’s lawyer’s Hamidul Haq said: “We have anticipated all the developments so far and we will seek legal recourse at the appropriate time.”

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