Update on Police Efforts to Tackle Bullying and Assault Incidents Outside Temples along Waterloo Mall

Sir, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducts regular patrols in the vicinity of the temples along Waterloo Street, especially during high congregation periods such as religious festivals. If they come across cases of bullying or assault, they will take action accordingly.

The SPF has also participated in joint operations with agencies like the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Singapore Food Agency. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) are also involved when there are incidents involving charitable organisations or vulnerable individuals.

The regular presence of these agencies in the area has helped to largely maintain order in the area.

I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. I first want to thank all the agencies' officers on the ground, from the Police from SLA, from the National Environment Agency (NEA), from MSF, and even the grassroots who look after the ground there. Because indeed the area that is along the Waterloo Mall, where lots of temples are, is a very popular place for peddling, legal or not legal, and also for begging as well. But because of the bullying and assault episodes, they often involve the vulnerable, both bullies and the bullied. SPF tends to adopt a light touch, I guess for worry of public criticisms. I just want to know what can the Ministry do more of to support these officers so that we can protect the interests of especially those who are bullied, and also seek the understanding of the public, even if the bullies are themselves vulnerable or disabled.

Bullying is bullying. Assault is assault. So, I wonder if more support and understanding for things that can be done to seek more support from the public so that the police officers can do their job even more effectively.

I thank the Member for her supplementary questions. Please allow me to be clear. On behalf of the Police, public disorder cannot be tolerated or condoned and indeed, if crimes have been committed, then investigation and enforcement has to follow.

In this case, there are different dimensions of what is happening in the Waterloo Street area and the Member herself is also very familiar. And for the cases of conduct where there is no outright crime being committed, but nevertheless may attract some attention, they could be vulnerable individuals involved. And in this case, it is important for us to work closely with our sister agencies. This includes the MSF and also the other agencies that I have mentioned.