Updates on Matters Arising from High Court Judgment in Former Foreign Domestic Worker Parti Liyani's Case

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Home Affairs over the last five years (a) what percentage of cases of theft as an employee has a foreign domestic worker been the accused; (b) what proportion of the above has (i) been charged in Court (ii) proceeded to trial (iii) been convicted and (iv) been acquitted respectively; and (c) what proportion of each subgroup above has had legal representation.

Mr Vikram Nair asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether there are any updates on its internal reviews of what happened in Ms Parti Liyani's case, and in particular the police's handling of the matter.

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will appoint a committee of inquiry consisting of members not affiliated to the Government to conduct a public inquiry into the conduct of the Singapore Police Force and Attorney-General's Chambers with regard to Ms Parti Liyani's case.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will consider allowing foreign domestic workers and other work permit holders to be accompanied by non-legal personnel in Police interviews, similar to the Appropriate Adult Scheme.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Home Affairs what has gone wrong in the chain of events related to the case of Ms Parti Liyani and what are the findings and outcomes of the review.

Mr Derrick Goh asked the Minister for Home Affairs what are the root causes that led to the procedural lapses on the part of the Police in Parti Liyani v PP [2020] SGHC 187 and whether there are sufficient procedural safeguards and supervisory review and oversight of Police investigations.

Mr Vikram Nair asked the Minister for Law whether there are any updates on the Ministry's internal reviews of what happened in Ms Parti Liyani's case and in particular the handling of the matter by the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Law in light of the Parti Liyani case (a) whether an expedited trial process can be created for economically vulnerable foreign accused persons; (b) whether the honorarium for volunteer lawyers under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme can be increased to signify their contributions; (c) whether an Office of Public Defender can be created to provide legal assistance to accused persons in Singapore; and (d) whether there are any steps being taken to strengthen the interpreter service in the Singapore Police Force.

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Law whether the Government will consider providing direct legal aid to vulnerable persons or those with lesser financial means who are charged with criminal offences, in light of concerns raised about access to justice and adequate legal representation for such persons, following the case of Parti Liyani v PP [2020] SGHC 187.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Law how many State Court judges have previously worked as prosecutors in the Attorney-General's Chambers and whether the Ministry will review the policy of separation of duties.

Mr Derrick Goh asked the Minister for Law with regard to the case of Parti Liyani v PP [2020] SGHC 187 where gaps in the prosecution's case have been noted, what are the procedures and supervisory oversight in place at the Attorney-General's Chambers in the assessment of evidence throughout the process of prosecution.

The agencies have considered the High Court judgment and are conducting reviews. These reviews are still in progress. As indicated by the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, a Ministerial Statement will be made to address the questions raised by Members after the reviews are completed. This is expected to be done at the November sitting.

If I may, Sir, I would like to ask the hon Minister of State, in relation to the scope of the review by the relevant agencies, what exactly is the scope of the review, and in particular, whether the subject matter of the Parliamentary Questions (PQs) in Question Nos 4 to 16 in the Order Paper, and the implications of the judgment as set out in these questions, would be covered in the review. And I have two further supplementary questions, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Yes, Sir. In relation to the issue about the disciplinary proceedings that has been commenced by Ms Parti Liyani – this was something that happened subsequent to the filing of my PQ. So, if it carries on, I wonder whether the hon Minister anticipates that he would be in a position to deal with the case and make the Statement in November 2020, if there is a prospect that leave be given for disciplinary proceedings to carry on which as the hon Minister would know, would involve the Court, and there could be a notion of sub judice in those circumstances.

Sir, as regard to the questions and whether we will cover them, I will hope to cover the questions that have been raised and if I have not covered any particular part, Members can further ask some clarifications.

On the disciplinary proceedings, no decision has been made by the Court, and I prefer to wait until the Court has heard and decided the matter, which is, I think, in a week or so, before I comment on it.

Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for Home Affairs that given the errors which have occurred at every level of the criminal justice system, is the independent review going to be considered within his Ministerial Statement to be delivered in November?

Sir, as I have indicated, let me finish the reviews, deal with that, present an account in Parliament, and then Mr Leong can ask his questions.