Public safety & law — Topics

13 Sep 2021

Plans for Ministries to Work Together to Prevent and Solve Cryptocurrency Scams and Crimes

The Ministry for Home Affairs has established a Cryptocurrency Task Force since 2018, collaborating with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Association of Crypto Currency Enterprises and Start-ups Singapore (ACCESS), and both local and overseas cryptocurrency exchanges to investigate crimes and improve operational procedures.
MAS regulates cryptocurrency-related entities under the Payment Services Act, enforcing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing requirements, and advises consumers to verify regulated entities through resources like the Financial Institutions Directory and Investor Alert List.
Public awareness campaigns by MoneySense and advisories from MAS and the Police focus on educating consumers about the risks of cryptocurrency investments, promoting vigilance, and encouraging checks before investing.
The Task Force and MAS work together to monitor the cryptocurrency landscape and establish relationships with international law enforcement, industry professionals, and academic experts to combat scams and crimes effectively.

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13 Sep 2021

Take-up Rate of ScamShield App since Its Launch and Efforts to Encourage Elderly to Use App to Protect Themselves against Scams

As of August 2021, approximately 200,000 iOS users have downloaded the ScamShield app.
The Android version of ScamShield is expected to be ready by the end of 2021, developed by the National Crime Prevention Council and GovTech.
Authorities are engaging seniors through grassroots outreach, Resident Committees, and Volunteer Crime Prevention Ambassadors to encourage app downloads.
The “SG Cyber Safe Seniors” program and other partner initiatives include references to ScamShield to promote awareness and usage among the elderly.

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13 Sep 2021

Assistance for Sex Workers under COVID-19 Support Schemes and Help with Other Forms of Work to Prevent Them from Turning to Underground Prostitution

The Minister confirmed that COVID-19 support schemes and training packages are available to all eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, including those who may have worked in the sex industry.
The government noted that some workers might engage in underground illegal activities, and enforcement operations are conducted against vice activities, including online and offline prostitution.
There is an emphasis on addressing the risk of workers turning to underground prostitution through proactive enforcement and support measures.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Employment of Latest Cyber Technology to Detect and Deter Foreign Interference with Domestic Politics and Social Issues

Christopher de Souza requested an update on how Singapore uses cyber technology to detect and deter foreign interference in domestic politics and social issues.
K Shanmugam explained that foreign actors may use bots or fake accounts to spread hostile information campaigns, and Singapore's security agencies have deployed early detection systems to identify anomalous network activity.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced new legislation to guard against foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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13 Sep 2021

Total Transaction Value of 89 Reports of Fraudulent Card Transactions Performed with SMS OTPs from September 2020 to February 2021

Ms Tin Pei Ling inquired about the total transaction value of 89 reported fraudulent card transactions from September 2020 to February 2021, where victims claimed they did not perform the transactions nor receive SMS OTPs for authorization.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that the total transaction value for these 89 reports was $550,500.
The debate highlighted a specific period of fraudulent activities involving SMS OTPs for card transactions, with victims denying any involvement or receipt of authorization messages.
The figures indicate a significant financial impact from these fraudulent transactions, as reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This exchange underscores ongoing concerns about security vulnerabilities in SMS OTP-based authentication methods for card transactions.

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13 Sep 2021

Result of Drug Rehabilitation Centre Regime on Recalcitrant Rates in Past Two Years of Implementation

Mr Christopher de Souza asked whether the Drug Rehabilitation Centre regime has reduced recalcitrant rates over the past two years.
The Minister explained the 2019 changes channel third-time and beyond drug abusers to DRC instead of long-term imprisonment, with in-care and community-based phases.
From 2019 to 2020, 3,985 drug abusers entered DRC, with 44.1% being third-or-subsequent-time offenders, but two-year recidivism data will only be available in 2023.
An early qualitative study found that participants under the DRC regime reported better family ties and reintegration compared to previous long-term imprisonment.

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13 Sep 2021

Measures to Reduce Number of First-time Drug Abusers, Especially Those under 30 Years Old

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) implements preventive drug education (PDE) as its primary strategy, partnering with the Ministry of Education to integrate anti-drug content into school curricula and conducting various engagement activities for students.
CNB collaborates with post-secondary institutions, the military, police, and civil defence forces to reach youths and national servicemen through co-created projects, toolkits, and immersive campaigns like the "Monomania" exhibition.
Social media and community networks, including the United Against Drugs Coalition and Anti-Drug Abuse Advocacy Network, are leveraged to disseminate anti-drug messages and mobilize advocates, with recent videos and partnerships reaching hundreds of thousands.
The Ministry of Home Affairs continuously reviews laws, such as the 2019 amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act, to strengthen protections against drug contamination and safeguard young persons from drug-related harms.

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13 Sep 2021

Number and Proportion of Prison Inmates Aged Above 55 on Completion of Prison Sentence and Their Employment and Job Retention Rates within Three and Six Months of Release

As of end-2020, 1,924 local inmates (20.5%) were above 55 years old, while 492 local inmates (5.2%) were 55 or below but would be over 55 upon release.
In 2020, 1,344 local inmates aged above 55 at release; 56.1% found jobs within three months and 72.4% within six months, though this is likely an undercount as it excludes jobs without CPF contributions.
For local ex-offenders above 55 who were employed within six months of release, the job retention rates were 81.6% at three months and 42.5% at six months.

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13 Sep 2021

Police Investigations into Authenticity of Supporting Documents on Work Performed by Facility Management Contractors Highlighted in Auditor-General's Report for FY2020/2021

The Ministry of Home Affairs lodged police reports against two contractors over possible irregularities in supporting documents for facility management work, with one charged in court and the other given a conditional warning.
The Ministry is enhancing its Integrated Logistics Management System to digitalise records and improve monitoring of facilities management work processes.
The Ministry stated it will take action against those who circumvent the system, with cost recovery applied for non-compliance.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Outcome of Mandatory Installation of Speed Limiter on Heavy Vehicles since Its Introduction

Mandatory speed limiters for heavy vehicles over 12,000 kg have been required since 1999, capping their speed at 60 km/h.
From 1999 to 2020, 24 cases of tampering with speed limiters were prosecuted, with penalties including fines up to $2,000 and imprisonment up to six months for repeat offenders.
The Traffic Police began tracking speeding violations by heavy vehicles with limiters only from 2011, so a before-and-after comparison of speeding offences since 1999 is not available.

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13 Sep 2021

Yearly Breakdown of Speeding Violations Involving Singapore-registered Lorries from 2016 to 2020

From 2016 to 2020, 19,758 speeding violations involving Singapore-registered lorries were detected by Traffic Police.
The highest recorded speed among these violations was 132 km/h.
Traffic Police does not track whether the speeding lorries were ferrying workers during the violations.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Review of Penalties for Illegal Massage and Karaoke Outlet Operations with a View to Make Jail Sentences Mandatory

Yip Hon Weng asked if the government will review penalties for illegal massage and karaoke outlets to make jail sentences mandatory and enhance legislation to treat healthcare rule flouting as a serious crime.
K Shanmugam responded that penalties must balance deterrence and proportionality, and courts should retain discretion on jail terms under existing laws like the Massage Establishments Act.
He noted that non-compliance with COVID-19 rules is already punishable with fines, imprisonment, or both, with repeat offenders facing heavier penalties, and that jail sentences have been imposed for egregious violations during the pandemic.

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13 Sep 2021

Consistent Enforcement Standards by Safe Distancing Ambassadors for Gyms, Fitness Centres and Sports Facilities

Safe distancing enforcement officers are appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act and authorized to issue warnings, fines, and prosecute breaches, with all officers trained and briefed on current regulations before deployment.
Officers are regularly updated on safe management measures via mobile devices and deployed in teams with experienced members to provide guidance, having conducted over 47,000 inspections since the circuit breaker period.
Sport Singapore holds townhalls and briefings to explain regulations and address operational concerns, continuing engagement with the sporting community to ensure compliance and cooperation.

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13 Sep 2021

Self-defence Lessons for Primary and Secondary School Students

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Ministry of Education to consider incorporating self-defence lessons, including violence prevention and de-escalation strategies, into the physical education curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
Chan Chun Sing responded that student safety is paramount, and the current approach emphasises de-escalation, avoiding physical confrontations, and using the "Run-Hide-Tell" response in emergencies.
The Ministry currently does not teach self-defence in physical education, as it may encourage physical confrontations that could increase risk to students even with some self-defence skills.
Students interested in self-defence can pursue it through co-curricular activities or community-based programmes outside the formal curriculum.

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13 Sep 2021

Leveraging Automation and Technology to Monitor and Curb Sea Robbery Incidents in Singapore Strait

The Ministry highlighted that sea robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait have slightly increased but none originated from Singapore's territorial waters, with agencies like the Police Coast Guard responding swiftly within local waters.
Maritime authorities use technology such as the Vessel Traffic Information System, data analytics, and coastal surveillance to monitor vessels and issue alerts for high-risk areas.
Singapore actively collaborates regionally through the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre and the Information Fusion Centre to share intelligence and coordinate patrols with neighboring countries.
The approach combines domestic enforcement, technological monitoring, and regional partnerships to address the transboundary nature of sea robbery incidents.

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13 Sep 2021

Animal Cruelty and Abuse Cases Investigated and Enforced Against in Last Five Years

NParks investigated about 1,200 alleged animal cruelty cases annually from 2017 to 2020, with 87 warning letters, 113 compound fines, 40 court fines, and 23 jail terms issued.
The government takes a serious view of animal cruelty, with first-time offenders facing fines up to $15,000, jail up to 18 months, or both, and repeat offenders facing higher penalties.
The Ministry continues to review penalties under the Animals and Birds Act to ensure they remain effective in deterring animal cruelty and abuse.

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13 Sep 2021

Assessment of Reports on Fake Vaccination Certificates

The Ministry of Health and Smart Nation Office have developed digital tools, like the SafeEntry Business App, for businesses to verify vaccination statuses directly with government databases to prevent forgery.
Businesses can check for fake certificates by looking for specific app features, such as animations or refresh buttons, and by matching personal details on the HealthHub app with government-issued IDs.
Individuals with overseas vaccinations must provide proof and undergo a serology test to have their status updated in the official apps, ensuring only verified certificates are displayed.
Enforcement teams will monitor compliance, and individuals found misrepresenting their vaccination status may face criminal prosecution.

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13 Sep 2021

Fine Amount in Section 139 of Administration of Muslim Law Act

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked when Section 139 of the Administration of Muslim Law Act was enacted and whether there are plans to increase its fine, currently capped at $2,000.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that Section 139 was enacted in 1966 and amended in 1999, imposing criminal sanctions for promulgating false doctrines.
He noted that offences under the Act are reviewed periodically to align with broader legal policies and ensure deterrence, with careful consideration given to applying legislation to religious matters.
Masagos highlighted that MUIS adopts a multi-pronged approach, including counselling and public inoculation, to address deviant teachings at the root.

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13 Sep 2021

Incidences of Police Access to Contact Tracing Data Allowed Under Seventh Schedule of COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act

Leong Mun Wai asked if the Singapore Police Force accessed contact tracing data for investigations between February and August 2021, and if so, for which serious offences under the Seventh Schedule of the Act.
K Shanmugam responded that the police did not access contact tracing data for investigations during that period.
The exchange focused on transparency and legal boundaries regarding the use of pandemic-related data for law enforcement.
The debate highlighted concerns about privacy and the scope of emergency measures in Singapore.

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13 Sep 2021

Protocols for Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers Executing Search on Premises Without Warrant

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about whether Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers (EOs) must wear body cameras during warrantless searches and what protocols exist to ensure proper identification, occupant safety, and prevention of power abuse.
Grace Fu Hai Yien clarified that EOs do not conduct random home checks and follow strict protocols, such as responding to substantiated feedback or external signs, before entering.
EOs must engage occupants, show both EO and corporate staff passes, explain their intent, and will be progressively equipped with body-worn cameras during home checks.

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