Public safety & law — Topics

5 Apr 2021

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Road Traffic Act to improve road safety, passenger transport security, and vehicle taxes, with related changes to other acts such as the Active Mobility Act and Rapid Transit Systems Act.
It was presented by the Minister of State for Home Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs, with presidential recommendation, and has been read for the first time.
The bill will proceed to a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting and will be printed for further deliberation.

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8 Mar 2021

Measures to Prevent Abuse of Foreign Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower outlined a three-pronged approach to protect foreign domestic workers, including educating employers through programs like the Employers' Orientation Programme, conducting check-ins with workers via the Centre for Domestic Employees, and enhancing legal penalties for abuse under the Penal Code.
The Ministry is reviewing measures to strengthen support, such as enhancing one-on-one interviews for newly arrived workers, improving doctors' ability to report suspected abuse, and expanding outreach by partner organizations like CDE and FAST.
Concerns were raised about doctors' legal obligations to report abuse, screening employers for red flags, and providing ways for workers without phones or day off to report abuse, with the Ministry noting ongoing reviews and current practices like native-language interviews.
A member highlighted the need to balance employer interests against false accusations, emphasizing better matching, communication, and investigation to resolve disputes between employers and domestic workers.
Additional suggestions included mandating employment agencies' responsibilities throughout employment and incorporating mental health checks and counseling for workers, which the Ministry indicated it would consider.

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5 Mar 2021

Update on Investigations into Alleged Animal Welfare-related Offences by Operator of Pet Boarding Facility Platinium Dogs Club

NParks has concluded its investigation into the alleged animal welfare-related offences by the operator of Platinium Dogs Club.
The case is now before the Court, so NParks cannot comment further.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development for an update on the Ministry's investigations.

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5 Mar 2021

Review of Sentencing Framework for Sexual and Hurt Offences

The Minister announced a tougher sentencing framework for sexual and hurt offences, emphasizing that rehabilitation will generally not be the primary consideration for adult offenders, with deterrence and proportionate punishment taking precedence.
New measures include increasing maximum penalties for three specific sexual offences, the Attorney-General's Chambers objecting to rehabilitative sentences for adult offenders in certain cases, and the publication of a sentencing guide to improve public understanding.
A Sentencing Advisory Panel will be established to issue non-binding sentencing guidelines to promote consistency and transparency, with its remit expected to cover offences beyond sexual and hurt cases.
The government stressed that offenders' educational qualifications or future prospects should not mitigate sentences, and current laws already provide enhanced penalties for offences against vulnerable victims, including those in intimate relationships.
Discussions highlighted the need for societal mindset changes to address underlying attitudes, with education and multi-agency efforts seen as essential alongside legal reforms.

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5 Mar 2021

Proceedings on Ministerial Statement

The Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, proposed a motion to take the Ministerial Statement on the Review of Sentencing Framework for Sexual and Hurt Offences immediately, citing its importance and the need for efficient Parliament business.
The Speaker sought and received general assent from Members, then approved the motion despite Standing Order 91(2), allowing the Statement to proceed before resuming the debate on the Committee of Supply.
The Minister for Home Affairs and Law was invited to deliver the Ministerial Statement following the resolution.

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5 Mar 2021

Engaging Children of Drug Offenders to Mitigate Risks of Them Becoming Drug Offenders

The Minister emphasized that Singapore’s tough drug policies focus on disrupting supply upstream to prevent harm to children, rather than solely targeting downstream measures for at-risk children.
Existing programs like the Yellow Ribbon Community Project and Family Resource Centres provide support to families of drug offenders, including counselling, financial aid, and educational assistance for children.
Evaluating the effectiveness of these programs is challenging due to multiple external factors, but the government relies on professional assessments and plans to explore better metrics in the future.

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4 Mar 2021

Data Collection on Number of Drug Users Whose Parents were Themselves Drug Users

The Singapore Prison Service and Central Narcotics Bureau do not collect data on the number of drug users whose parents were themselves drug users.
A 2017 study by the Singapore Prison Service found that about 21.6% of drug-abusing parents had at least one child who had committed offences, with factors like weakened parent-child attachment and exposure to drugs at home increasing the risk.
The study identified protective factors such as strong social support and engagement in pro-social activities to mitigate the impact of parental drug abuse.
The Government uses such findings to inform ongoing efforts, including community interventions and support programmes for affected families.
The debate highlighted the importance of understanding intergenerational drug abuse to refine policies, even without systematic data collection on parent-child drug use relationships.

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4 Mar 2021

Calls for More Enforcement Actions at Roads that are Prone to Car Racing

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Home Affairs about increasing enforcement actions on roads prone to illegal car racing, following a fatal accident in Tanjong Pagar.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, outlined existing Traffic Police enforcement at hotspots, penalties for illegal speed trials, and statistics on past cases from 2015 to 2020.
Ms Ng Ling Ling followed up with a query on whether there are preventive measures beyond enforcement to deter racing, citing resident feedback on late-night incidents.
The Minister of State responded that the strategy includes both enforcement and overall road safety, with ongoing operations based on community feedback and intelligence gathering.
The debate concluded with the Deputy Speaker moving to the next agenda item, noting some questions were postponed.

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4 Mar 2021

Measures to Improve Road Safety Given Pedestrian Fatalities amongst Seniors

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concern over the high rate of pedestrian fatalities among seniors, noting that half were due to jaywalking, and asked what more can be done to improve road safety as the population ages.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs outlined efforts by the Traffic Police, including partnerships with Senior Activity Centres and Lion Befrienders to educate the elderly on road safety and the launch of an Eye Care Kit for self-assessment.
The Ministry plans to enhance enforcement in Silver Zones by adding two demerit points and a $100 composition fine for offences like speeding or using mobile devices, aiming to increase driver caution in areas with many elderly pedestrians.

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4 Mar 2021

Pilot Programme for SMRT Taxis to be Equipped with Booster Seats for Young Children

A six-month pilot programme by SMRT Taxis to equip its fleet with booster seats for young children was extended due to the circuit breaker, with about 1,750 taxis equipped, but the utilisation rate was low as there were few requests from commuters.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that making booster seats compulsory for taxis is not feasible due to operational constraints like boot size, the need for quick street hails, and potential higher costs for families, while private hire cars are required to have them as they are pre-booked.
Louis Ng Kok Kwang expressed concern that the focus on utilisation rate overlooks safety, noting the effectiveness of child car seats in reducing injuries, and questioned the practicality argument, arguing that modern booster seats are compact and that street hails are less common today.
The government will continue to monitor the situation and consult stakeholders, considering options like focusing on ride-hail journeys, while balancing safety with livelihood concerns for taxi drivers.

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3 Mar 2021

Social Workers Trained in Suicide Interventions in Singapore Police Force's Crisis Negotiation Unit

Mr. Louis Ng asked whether the Singapore Police Force's Crisis Negotiation Unit currently includes social workers trained in suicide interventions and if not, whether the Ministry would consider adding them.
The Crisis Negotiation Unit consists of Police officers and psychologists trained in negotiation tactics for situations including suicide attempts, but does not currently include social workers.
The Ministry's response explained that the immediate priority is ensuring safety, after which social workers or other relevant personnel may be brought in to provide support.

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3 Mar 2021

Review on Requiring Frontline Officers with the Singapore Police Force to Undergo Psychological First-aid Training

Louis Ng asked for an update on the Ministry of Home Affairs' review of requiring Singapore Police Force frontline officers to undergo psychological first-aid training to improve responses to attempted suicides.
The police completed a review in February 2021 and found current training elements adequate, including suicide intervention skills for officers like Ground Response Forces.
The training teaches officers to empathize with emotionally distressed individuals to assist them appropriately during interventions.

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3 Mar 2021

Ensuring Adequate Cybersecurity Measures are Taken by Companies that Take Possession of Customer Data

The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) mandates that organizations implement reasonable cybersecurity measures to protect customer data, with guidance provided by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) on design, risk management, and breach response.
In the event of a data breach, organizations must notify the PDPC and affected individuals if the breach involves at least 500 individuals or poses significant harm, and can seek technical assistance from the Cyber Security Agency’s Computer Emergency Response Team.
The PDPC monitors breaches closely and can enforce actions, including financial penalties, while both the PDPC and CSA provide resources like handbooks and guides to help companies strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

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2 Mar 2021

Studies on Technology and Social Media's Impact on Domestic Violence or Abuse in Society in Context of Global Pandemic

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked if any studies have been conducted on how technology and social media may have enabled or exacerbated domestic violence or abuse, particularly during the global pandemic.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that the Ministry of Social and Family Development is not aware of any such studies specific to Singapore during the pandemic.
Adult and Child Protective Services saw a 40% increase in enquiries from January to October 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, which was likely due to heightened awareness and outreach efforts rather than a rise in violence.
The number of new cases investigated by Adult and Child Protective Services remained stable at about 120 cases per month during the same periods.

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2 Mar 2021

Committee of Supply – Head E (Judicature)

Sylvia Lim highlighted challenges faced by unrepresented litigants, particularly non-English speakers, difficulties with court procedures, and COVID-19 impacts, while acknowledging existing efforts to support them.
The Minister outlined ongoing initiatives, including simplifying legal processes, leveraging technology, expanding legal aid and support services, and exploring translation options for court documents.
Both sides agreed on the importance of access to justice, with Lim withdrawing her amendment after the Minister's assurances and commitment to further enhancements.

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2 Mar 2021

Committee of Supply – Head R (Ministry of Law)

The Ministry of Law outlined reforms to strengthen community dispute resolution, including enhancing mediation services and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal, while noting the high success rate of mediation (80% of cases reach settlement).
Enhancements to legal aid access were detailed, such as the iLAB chatbot and online application portals, with a focus on supporting vulnerable groups and exploring conditional fee agreements for certain proceedings.
Efforts to bolster Singapore’s legal and dispute resolution hub included digital transformation of court processes, international cooperation (e.g., the Apostille Convention), and support for the intellectual property ecosystem and legal technology adoption.

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2 Mar 2021

Programmes and Channels Available to Primary School Students to Learn and Raise the Alert on Domestic Violence

Primary schools teach personal safety and help-seeking skills through age-appropriate lessons, including identifying trusted adults and looking out for peers, with teachers trained to spot signs of abuse using established guides.
Students can report abuse to teachers, school counsellors, or welfare officers, and principals are required to refer suspected cases to Child Protective Services for immediate intervention.
The Ministry uses methods like journaling and art to help children express trauma non-verbally, and is open to suggestions like signalling for help to support voiceless students.

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1 Mar 2021

Review Policies and Health Data on Children Injured in Motor Accidents and Child Car Seats in Taxis

Louis Ng asked if public hospitals collect health data on children injured in motor accidents due to not being secured in child car seats and how such data would inform policy reviews for child car seats in taxis.
Gan Kim Yong stated that while public hospitals report some data on child injuries in motor accidents, there is limited information on whether child car seats or seatbelts were used, and the data does not directly link injuries to the non-use of restraints.
The government acknowledges that international evidence supports the use of child restraints for safety but exempts taxis from requiring child car seats due to practical challenges, while private hire cars allow pre-booking of child seats.

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1 Mar 2021

Number of Persons Prosecuted and Convicted for HIV Non-disclosure under Section 23(1) of Infectious Diseases Act in Past Five Years

In the past five years, five persons living with HIV were prosecuted and three convicted under Section 23(1) of the Infectious Diseases Act for non-disclosure to sexual partners.
The Minister for Health stated the law requires disclosure to enable informed consent and precaution, aiming to reduce HIV transmission risk.
The Minister did not address whether any studies have been conducted to confirm the effectiveness of criminalising HIV non-disclosure in reducing HIV spread in Singapore.

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1 Mar 2021

Capping Engine Capacity or Engine Power for Vehicles Driven by New Drivers

Ms He Ting Ru asked whether the government would consider restricting engine capacity or power for vehicles driven by new drivers.
The Minister explained that existing rules already impose engine limits for motorcycles based on experience, but no such limits apply to Class 3 car licenses due to a lack of evidence linking engine capacity to accidents.
He noted that primary causes of accidents are factors like negligence and intoxication, not engine power, and highlighted a decline in road fatalities over the past decade.
The Ministry concluded there is no need for new engine caps within Class 3, though it will continue exploring other road safety measures.

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