Public safety & law — Topics

6 Oct 2020

Number of Domestic Abuse Cases Since Start of Circuit Breaker Period

Police have received an average of 415 family violence reports per month since April, with investigations initiated in more than 40% of cases.
Only about 3% of investigated cases were prosecuted in court, while 12% received warnings instead of prosecution.
Authorities emphasize that prosecution is not always the optimal solution, and other avenues like Protection Orders or social service referrals are often used to address complex family violence issues.

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6 Oct 2020

Number of Accidents Caused by Leisure Riders Versus Delivery Riders

Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Transport to provide the number of accidents caused by leisure riders versus delivery riders on personal mobility devices since the 2017 Active Mobility Act revision.
Ong Ye Kung responded that between January 2017 and July 2020, there were about 490 reported accidents involving personal mobility devices on public paths.
The government does not track the breakdown of accidents by different types of PMD riders, such as leisure versus delivery riders.
Despite the lack of data, delivery riders are heavier users of active mobility devices, so businesses will be required to ensure their users have third-party liability insurance from December 2020.
This insurance requirement aims to improve accident victims’ access to compensation and protect riders from large claims.

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6 Oct 2020

Abuse of Jobs Support Scheme

The Deputy Prime Minister reported that the Jobs Support Scheme has supported wages for over two million local workers across 150,000 businesses, with most employers using it as intended.
A small number of employers have attempted to abuse the scheme, such as by making non-genuine CPF contributions, prompting IRAS to identify 2,200 employers for review and temporarily withhold payouts for some.
IRAS has completed reviews for about half of the flagged cases and referred four employers to the Police for investigation, with penalties under the Penal Code including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines for offenders.

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6 Oct 2020

Help for Small F&B Outlets to Implement Safe Distancing Measures

Darryl David inquired about support for small F&B outlets to enforce safe distancing while fearing customer backlash and business loss, even for first-time offenses.
Grace Fu Hai Yien detailed that F&B establishments resumed dine-in services with strict safe management measures, including group size limits, mask-wearing, and safe distancing, supported by advisories, ambassadors, and enforcement officers.
While many F&B operators, including small ones, proactively implemented measures, a minority breached rules, leading to closures, fines, and enforcement against both establishments and non-compliant patrons.
The government emphasized collective responsibility to maintain low COVID-19 caseloads, with agencies stepping up checks and considering operator efforts in enforcement actions.

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6 Oct 2020

Measures to Tackle Scam Crimes

Scam crimes in Singapore have risen sharply, with reported cases increasing by 77% from 2016 to 2019 and total losses growing from $89.7 million to $170.8 million, with a further 100% rise in cases and 71% increase in losses in the first eight months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
The Singapore Police Force employs a multi-pronged strategy to tackle scams, including setting up specialized units like the E-Commerce Fraud Enforcement and Coordination Team and the Anti-Scam Centre, collaborating with international law enforcement through the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force, and engaging public and private sector stakeholders to enhance scam detection and disruption.
Public education is a key focus, with campaigns like "Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes" and targeted outreach to vulnerable groups such as seniors through community networks and digital literacy programs to raise awareness and promote vigilance against scams.

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5 Oct 2020

Data on Number of Prosecutions in Relation to Illegal Wildlife Trade Involving Corruption, Money-laundering or Fraud in Past Five Years

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development for the number of prosecutions related to illegal wildlife trade over the past five years and how many also involved corruption, money-laundering, or fraud.
The Minister responded that no prosecutions were found to have an association with corruption, money-laundering or fraud during investigations into illegal wildlife trade cases.
The Ministry provided data on prosecutions since 2015 but did not confirm whether it would start collecting specific data on corruption, money-laundering, or fraud if not already available.

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5 Oct 2020

Rationale for Further Consultations with AGC on Further Action to be Taken against Parti Liyani's Previous Employer

Derrick Goh questioned the need for further consultations with AGC regarding additional action against Parti Liyani’s former employer, given that a warning had already been issued in 2018.
Josephine Teo explained that MOM’s punitive decisions consider the worker’s well-being and the extent of illegal deployment, and that the 2018 actions against the employer were consistent with past similar cases.
She noted that from 2017 to 2019, about 155 employers per year faced action for illegal deployment, with penalties ranging from warnings to financial fines.
Teo stated that a review of the case is ongoing due to High Court observations and that MOM will provide an update once completed.
The debate centered on whether further AGC consultations are justified after earlier administrative actions were taken in 2018.

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5 Oct 2020

Protocols and Training for Safe Distancing Ambassadors to Enforce Safe Distancing Measures at Coffeeshops and Hawker Centres in HDB Heartlands after Office Hours

The Ministry deploys about 3,000 Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers daily, including after office hours at HDB heartland coffeeshops and hawker centres, with teams of at least two and shifts starting as early as 6am.
Ambassadors and officers receive training on safe distancing protocols, engagement rules, and how to handle non-compliance, with experienced staff mentoring newcomers and clear instructions to avoid harm and involve the Police if necessary.
Recent enforcement actions include fines and temporary suspensions for violations such as inadequate table distancing, group gatherings exceeding five people, and serving alcohol after 10.30pm.
For drunk and rowdy patrons, agencies work with the Police to identify, apprehend, and charge defiant individuals, while emphasising that community cooperation is crucial for effective safe distancing.
The Ministry underscores that enforcement is only part of the COVID-19 response, and sustained compliance by premise operators and the public is key to controlling community transmission.

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5 Oct 2020

Court Cases Involving Employers and Their Foreign Domestic Workers and Number Convicted

The Minister for Law indicated that reviews related to court cases involving employers and their foreign domestic workers are still in progress and he expects to address the matter in November via a Ministerial Statement.
The Minister noted that the agencies have considered a High Court judgment and are conducting ongoing reviews before providing detailed data.
The debate was initiated by a Member who asked for three years of statistics on the number of court cases involving employers and FDWs, and the number of convictions for each party.

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5 Oct 2020

Study on Deterrent Effect of Life Sentence Relative to Death Penalty and in Cases of Mental Illness or Addiction of Perpetrator

The Ministry of Home Affairs has commissioned studies, including a 2020 resident survey and a 2018 foreign visitor study, which found majorities believe the death penalty is more effective than life imprisonment as a deterrent for serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking.
Evidence cited includes reductions in drug trafficking weights and case numbers for firearms robbery and kidnapping following the introduction of the death penalty, suggesting a deterrent effect, though studies require more work over time.
For perpetrators with mental illness or addiction, defences exist under the Penal Code, such as unsoundness of mind or intoxication, which can affect culpability and sentencing.

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5 Oct 2020

Requiring Financial Institutions to Display Pop-up Reminders to Prevent Singaporeans from Being Scammed When Performing Overseas Remittance Online

Don Wee proposed requiring financial institutions to display pop-up reminders during overseas remittances to prevent scams.
K Shanmugam responded that MHA, MAS, and banks are already implementing measures like OTP warnings, fraud monitoring, and multi-factor authentication.
The government is exploring additional ways to detect suspicious transactions and improve information sharing to recover scammed funds.
An online scam quiz is being developed to enhance customer awareness before opening internet banking accounts.
The proposal for pop-up reminders will be studied as part of ongoing scam prevention efforts.

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5 Oct 2020

Regulators' Response to Recent Reports on Local Banks' Involvement in Suspicious Transactions and Money Laundering

The government clarified that the leaked FinCEN reports are not evidence of money laundering and that MAS is reviewing whether Singapore banks detected suspicious transactions properly and will take enforcement action if breaches are found.
MAS has a robust regulatory framework aligned with international standards, applies intrusive supervision for higher-risk institutions, and uses firm enforcement actions including penalties and license revocation when necessary.
Singapore authorities are enhancing detection through technology like network analytics, sharing intelligence with financial institutions, and collaborating internationally via FATF and partnerships with foreign jurisdictions.

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5 Oct 2020

Regulations to Prevent Reckless Cycling on Footpaths

Lim Biow Chuan proposed that the Land Transport Authority introduce rules to prevent cyclists from riding recklessly on footpaths and endangering other users.
Ong Ye Kung stated that existing regulations already set limits for bicycles and cyclists, including weight and width restrictions, speed limits, and a ban on using mobile devices while riding, with penalties up to $10,000 fines or 12 months’ imprisonment.
Ong Ye Kung emphasized the need for greater social consciousness and highlighted the 2018 Code of Conduct that encourages cyclists to give way to pedestrians and slow down in crowded or complex areas, promoting a gracious active mobility culture.

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5 Oct 2020

Usage Rate for TraceTogether Token and Protection of Users' Data Submitted via Token

As of 28 September, about 101,000 TraceTogether Tokens have been issued, and distribution will expand so anyone can collect one from their nearest Community Centre.
The overall participation rate for the TraceTogether Programme (App and Token) is around half the population, with most participants using the App as Token distribution has just begun.
Data collected by the TraceTogether Programme is encrypted, stored only for 25 days on the device, and automatically deleted after that period unless shared with MOH for contact tracing.
Data from SafeEntry is also encrypted and accessed only by authorities for COVID-19 prevention and control, with the Government acting as custodian under stringent safeguards.
Unauthorised disclosure, misuse, or re-identification of data by public officers is an offence punishable by fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both.

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5 Oct 2020

Enforcement of COVID-19 Measures on People with Special Needs

Member Saktiandi Supaat inquired about police training and empathy in enforcing COVID-19 measures, especially for children with special needs who struggle with regulations like mask wearing.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that while mask enforcement is for public health, police officers use flexibility and an advisory approach with vulnerable individuals.
Officers are trained to engage such persons and caregivers simply, and may suggest face shields as an alternative for those who cannot wear masks.
The Minister emphasized that police training includes skills for handling vulnerable persons as part of general policing.
The overall response aimed to balance compliance with empathy, ensuring rules are followed while accommodating special needs.

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5 Oct 2020

Measures to Protect Bus Drivers and Public Transport Service Staff

The Ministry of Transport reaffirms a zero-tolerance approach to abuse against bus drivers and will work with unions and operators to raise commuter awareness of the serious consequences.
The government is open to exploring best practices from other regions, such as safety reviews and anti-shatter films, and welcomes suggestions for additional protective measures for frontline staff.
The National Transport Workers' Union is collaborating with operators to trial protective shields on buses, with the Ministry noting that feedback from drivers on safety and glare issues will be crucial before any wider rollout.

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5 Oct 2020

Considerations for Punitive Actions against Employer of Former Foreign Domestic Worker Parti Liyani for Illegal Deployment

The Ministry of Manpower stated that its punitive actions for illegal deployment of foreign domestic workers consider the worker's well-being and the extent of the deployment, and the actions in the Parti Liyani case were consistent with past cases, though a review is ongoing following High Court observations.
The Minister of State confirmed that the Ministry will review its punishment framework to hold employers accountable for illegal deployments regardless of their awareness, emphasizing the vulnerability of foreign domestic workers.
A suggestion was made to require documented consent from foreign domestic workers for deployments outside their registered address, and the Ministry is considering improving notification processes for such cases.

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5 Oct 2020

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

Members of Parliament asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Law to explain the findings, root causes, and procedural lapses in the Parti Liyani case, and to outline steps to prevent recurrence, with specific queries on police investigations and prosecution oversight.
Several MPs proposed reforms such as allowing legal representation during police interviews for vulnerable workers, increasing legal aid, creating a public defender’s office, and conducting an independent public inquiry into the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The Minister of State confirmed that agency reviews are ongoing and a Ministerial Statement will be delivered in November to address the questions, while the Minister added that comments on pending disciplinary proceedings would wait for the court’s decision.

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4 Sep 2020

Number and Trend of Cases of Thefts and Vandalism of Community Gardens in Last Five Years and Measures and Public Education Programmes in Place

NParks reported infrequent feedback on theft and vandalism in community gardens over the last five years, with no clear rising trend noted.
Gardeners can report incidents to Residents’ or Neighbourhood Committees, or make police reports, and some gardens have signs encouraging respectful requests for plants or harvests.
Community initiatives like shared refrigerators and regular outreach events help build relationships and deter misuse of community gardens.

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4 Sep 2020

Statistics on Reported Cyberbullying Cases in Primary and Secondary Schools in Last Three Years and Measures to Protect Children against Cyberbullying

Minister Lawrence Wong stated that reported cyberbullying cases in primary and secondary schools have remained low and stable over the past three years, with schools taking prompt investigative and disciplinary action while providing counseling and referrals for victims and perpetrators.
The Ministry of Education and schools have established guidelines for corrective actions, emphasizing learning from mistakes, restoring relationships, and using disciplinary measures alongside support services like REACH and community agencies.
To protect children, schools implement cybersecurity infrastructure such as network filtering and endpoint protection, share best practices for online safety, and provide parental resources on device monitoring and control.

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