Singapore Deputy PM to address Parliament on Little India riot

36 questions tabled by 17 MPs on the December 8 riot are expected to be dealt with

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will address the Parliament on Monday on the worst riot to hit the country in 40 years that led to the deportation of 56 Indian nationals.

Acting Minister of Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin would also speak in the Parliament on the foreign workers related issues along with Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister.

The Ministers are expected to deal 36 questions tabled by 17 MPs on the December 8 riot in 'Little India', an area of Indian origin businesses, eateries and pubs.

Alcohol consumption ban, liquor licensing and the issue of foreign workers will be the focus of questions.

MP Christopher de Souza, a member of the Government Parliament Committee for Home Affairs and Law, would ask what investigations have revealed about the cause of the riot and about the evidence relied upon to issue police advisories and repatriation orders to workers, according to a report by the online Straits Times today.

Singapore deported 56 Indian nationals and one Bangladesh national relating to the riots, and issued police advisories to some 200 South Asian workers who were allowed to stay on and work in the city state.

Meanwhile, 25 Indian nationals are facing charges in Singapore relating to the riot. It was the worst riot to hit Singapore since 1969.

The rampage left 39 police and civil defence staff injured and 25 vehicles -- including 16 police cars - damaged.