Public safety & law — Topics

14 Sep 2021

Frequency of Government's Periodic Facade Inspection

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for the total number of buildings required under the Periodic Facade Inspection (PFI), how many of those inspected need a full investigation, and whether the frequency could be increased for older buildings.
Desmond Lee stated that PFI applies to buildings over 20 years old and 13 metres in height, with inspections conducted every seven years by trained Competent Persons.
About 30,000 buildings will need PFI within the first seven-year cycle starting early next year, and full façade investigations are decided based on inspection findings.
The Building and Construction Authority will regularly review PFI requirements to maintain public safety.

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14 Sep 2021

Proposal to Make it Mandatory for Lorries that Ferry Passengers in the Rear to Be Fitted with Rain Covers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if lorries ferrying passengers in the rear must have rain covers.
S Iswaran noted that lorries already require roof shelters or canopies for worker safety.
Employers are encouraged to install rain covers and reschedule trips during heavy rains.
The Ministry will review the suggestion to further protect workers’ welfare.
The debate highlights efforts to balance safety and practical measures for passenger transport.

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14 Sep 2021

Impact of and Measures to Deal with Threat Caused by Pegasus Cyber Surveillance Tool

Murali Pillai asked about the impact of the Pegasus cyber surveillance tool on Singapore's national security and the steps being taken to address the threat, given its reported use in about 50 countries including Singapore.
K Shanmugam stated that the threat from electronic surveillance tools like Pegasus is not new, and Singapore's security agencies continuously invest resources to protect against such threats to national systems.
K Shanmugam emphasized the need for individuals to adopt good cyber hygiene practices, such as avoiding untrustworthy websites and not opening suspicious attachments, to mitigate risks from spyware and malware.

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14 Sep 2021

Common Causes of Non-residential Fires in 2021

The three most common causes of non-residential fires in the first half of 2021 were electrical fires, overheating of food, and fires from exposure to heat sources or chemicals, accounting for about 70% of incidents.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force requires large non-residential premises to appoint a Fire Safety Manager to conduct daily checks, fire drills, and fire prevention education.
SCDF collaborates with various councils and associations to share best practices and recognize premises with good fire safety records through annual awards.
Regular inspections are conducted and enforcement actions are taken for non-compliance, with public feedback channels available for reporting fire safety concerns.

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14 Sep 2021

Protecting Consumers against False Claims by Health Supplement Companies

Dr Wan Rizal questioned how the Ministry of Health balances public health protection with consumer choice in light of a recent case where a health supplement company was fined for false cancer cure claims.
He also asked whether the Ministry is collaborating with other agencies to issue import alerts for unsafe dietary supplements to promptly remove harmful products from the market.
Ong Ye Kung explained that health supplements do not require HSA approval as they are not meant to treat diseases, but HSA prohibits medicinal ingredients and false medical claims, conducts post-market surveillance, and provides guidelines and public advisories to ensure safety and informed consumer decisions.

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14 Sep 2021

Sufficiency of Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act to Prohibit Advertisements with False Claims

Dr Wan Rizal questioned if the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act (MASA) can sufficiently prohibit false medical claims in modern digital media advertisements.
MASA prohibits unlicensed entities from advertising treatments for medical conditions, aiming to prevent public inducement to seek unlicensed services.
The prohibition applies to all advertisement forms, including digital platforms, and MOH will investigate and enforce violations under MASA.

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14 Sep 2021

Proposal to Raise Height of Station Platform Doors for Above-ground MRT Stations

Saktiandi Supaat asked how safety protocols can be improved and if platform doors at above-ground MRT stations could be raised, following an incident where a commuter climbed over a door onto the tracks.
S Iswaran outlined existing safety features like platform screen doors, emergency phones, and stop plungers, noting that these were used effectively in the recent incident to ensure the commuter's safety.
The minister confirmed that the current height of platform screen doors is designed for airflow and is comparable to other cities, and there are no plans to raise them at above-ground stations.

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14 Sep 2021

Steps to Tackle Issue of Gun Parts and Other Controlled Items Being Sold on E-commerce Platforms

The Government regulates gun parts and other dangerous items like explosives under the Arms and Explosives Act, requiring licences from the Police for handling them.
E-commerce platforms are currently not regulated by the Police for the sale of these controlled items.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act, which will replace the existing law by the end of 2021 and include regulation of e-commerce platforms.
MHA is developing the regulatory framework for the new Act and is consulting the industry.
The steps aim to address the recent incident of controlled items being sold on online platforms.

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14 Sep 2021

Complaints Received about Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers and Training and Protocols for Them

Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers receive pre-deployment, on-the-job, and regular training on conduct and protocols, including how to respond to unverified reports and handle home checks with safeguards like two-officer deployments and body-worn cameras.
From April 2020 to August 2021, out of over 5,100 home breach feedback cases, officers entered residences fewer than 30 times, with 16 enforcement actions taken and two cases pending, while checks require reasonable suspicion, repeated feedback, or visible signs of breaches.
From January to August 2021, 75 complaints were received about Safe Distancing Ambassadors and 17 about Enforcement Officers, with 20 and 2 substantiated respectively, mostly for rude or unprofessional behavior, and all allegations are investigated seriously.

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14 Sep 2021

Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Bill

The Bill aims to modernize Singapore's courts by simplifying legal language and expanding the use of remote hearings to increase efficiency and access to justice, though some members expressed concerns about ensuring clear terminology and the appropriateness of remote proceedings for serious criminal matters.
Parliament debated the Attorney-General's enhanced role in intervening in civil cases to protect public interest, with the Minister clarifying that the two-stage process for intervention is standard legal procedure and necessary to avoid delays.
Members raised issues about the practical impacts of digital transformation, including support for small law firms, the need for improved virtual court platforms, and the importance of maintaining human elements in court proceedings, with the Minister outlining existing and upcoming government assistance measures.

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13 Sep 2021

Enforcement Measures to Prevent Drivers of Heavy Vehicles from Being Overworked

The Ministry of Manpower outlined that the Employment Act limits working hours for heavy vehicle drivers and imposes fines on employers who violate these rules, while the Workplace Safety and Health Council provides guidelines and industry education on fatigue management.
Accident statistics show a decline in heavy vehicle incidents, and investigations have not identified long working hours or fatigue as a key cause, leading the government to currently refrain from mandating changes to driver pay models.
Regulations already require speed limiters for heavy vehicles, and the government supports the adoption of safety technologies like anti-fatigue monitoring systems through grants, rather than making them mandatory for all vehicle owners.

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13 Sep 2021

Measures for Owners of Older HDB Flats to Maintain and Ensure Their Air-conditioner Brackets are Securely Affixed

Home owners must engage trained personnel to install and maintain external air-conditioner units and brackets, with regular checks every three to six months for corrosion or rust.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) can direct owners to rectify poorly maintained brackets, and HDB will notify owners to address immediate risks, with educational materials available.
A Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime starting early 2022 will require seven-year inspections of brackets on older buildings, with Town Councils assisting owners in necessary works.

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13 Sep 2021

New Centre for Wildlife Forensics and K9 Unit's Goals Towards Global Fight Against Illegal Wildlife Trade

NParks established the Centre for Wildlife Forensics and K9 Unit in August 2021 to enhance Singapore's role in combating illegal wildlife trade globally, with immediate efforts to advance forensic capabilities through new technologies and research collaborations.
In the medium term, NParks aims to register the Centre as a CITES Reference Laboratory to support other member states, while the K9 Unit will deploy sniffer dogs at borders for continuous training to detect illegal wildlife and products.
Long-term goals include positioning the Centre as an international centre of excellence in wildlife forensic research and collaboration, with findings from ongoing studies shared to strengthen cross-border enforcement against criminal networks.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Private Condominiums to Allocate Parking Space Within Their Compounds for Delivery Riders and Drivers

Miss Rachel Ong proposed legislation to prevent private condominiums from encouraging illegal parking by delivery riders on public pavements and to require them to allocate safe parking spaces within their compounds for delivery personnel.
Desmond Lee confirmed that parking on public pavements is illegal under the Road Traffic Rules and enforcement action will be taken, while urging residents and management corporations not to request such illegal parking.
Authorities are developing best practices with stakeholders to guide condominium management in facilitating safe deliveries, including considering the provision of appropriate parking spaces based on each development’s specific needs and circumstances.

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13 Sep 2021

Investigation on Whether Suspected Infection of Mobile Devices in Singapore are Linked to Cyber Arms Firm's Spyware

Leon Perera inquired whether the government would investigate if suspected mobile device infections in Singapore linked to operators like “Merlion” and “Ganges” are connected to NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, and what recourse victims have.
Minister Josephine Teo responded that individuals should report suspected spyware infections to the Police or SingCERT, noting that past claims of Pegasus victims in Singapore remain unverified due to lack of reports.
She emphasized that security agencies actively combat electronic surveillance threats and advised the public to practice good cyber hygiene to mitigate risks.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Legislation to Ensure Technology Companies Take Action to Prevent Vulnerable Minors from Accessing Adult Dating Sites

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked if the government will introduce legislation requiring technology companies to prevent minors from accessing adult dating sites.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that existing laws like the Women's Charter and Penal Code address exploitation and grooming, while the Internet Code of Practice allows blocking of illegal sites and ISPs offer parental control services.
She highlighted ongoing educational efforts, including cyber wellness lessons in schools and public campaigns by the Media Literacy Council, alongside public-private collaborations to address online harms.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Investigation under Transboundary Haze Pollution Act against Companies and Individuals involved in causing Haze Pollution in Singapore in 2015

The NEA investigated six Indonesian companies for allegedly causing the 2015 haze pollution in Singapore under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
Legal notices were issued to all six companies, but cases for two have been closed based on their provided information.
Investigations into the remaining four companies are still ongoing.

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13 Sep 2021

Investigation and Prosecution of Cases of Waste Disposal into Singapore Waters in Past Five Years

Between 2016 and 2020, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore investigated three cases of illegal disposal of waste and pollutants into Singapore waters, with two cases in 2017 and one in 2018.
All three investigated cases resulted in composition fines being issued by the MPA, with no warnings or jail terms recorded during this period.
The MPA provided data on the number of inspections and verifications of Garbage Management Plans on ships conducted between 2016 and 2020.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Cases Referred to Independent Review Panel and Work Done since its Formation to Strengthen Systems and Processes of Home Team

The Independent Review Panel (IRP) has been convened six times to review cases involving serious misconduct allegations against Home Team officers that are not criminal, with all internal investigations found thorough and fair.
Following IRP recommendations, the Police reviewed training and procedures for managing difficult subjects, handling persons-in-custody at hospitals, and case filing, while CNB improved its internal investigation protocols.
The current IRP Chair is retired senior district judge Richard Magnus, and while key findings and changes are made public through the AGO, internal disciplinary matters are not fully disclosed unless criminal conduct is involved.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Use of SGSecure App to Make Reports and Actions Taken against Makers of Prank Reports

The SGSecure app has been downloaded by about three million devices since its launch in 2016, with reports made through the app increasing from 6,000 in 2017 to 14,000 last year.
Reports include alerts on suspicious individuals, unattended packages, and signs of radicalisation, but the government does not track the number of prank reports due to anonymity, though it assesses the number to be low.
Three persons have been warned to date for intentionally sending false information via the SGSecure app.

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