Public safety & law — Topics

4 Sep 2020

Plans to Increase Awareness Among Merchants who Adopt Cashless Payments on Payment Verification and Possible Scams

The Minister confirmed that the government has been promoting cashless payments through initiatives like the unified SGQR code and the Hawkers Go Digital programme to support merchants in adopting digital payments.
Merchants are encouraged to stay vigilant, keep devices updated, and maintain password secrecy to protect against payment scams, while payment systems have built-in verification and safeguards.
To address concerns about scams, the SG Digital Office deployed Digital Ambassadors to guide stallholders, and NETS provides tools like the NETSBiz App with real-time transaction notifications and support to help merchants verify payments.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Consideration to Allow Private Security Firms to Recruit and Employ Singporeans Aged Above 60 on a Temporary Basis as Private Security Officers

Patrick Tay asked if private security firms could temporarily hire Singaporeans over 60 as security officers while awaiting screening, training, and medical clearance.
K Shanmugam explained that licensing under the Private Security Industry Act requires pre-deployment security screening, training, and medical fitness for officers over 60 to ensure public safety and officer welfare.
The process can be completed in about two weeks, and the police can only allow security firms to deploy individuals who are fully cleared and qualified.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Enforcement of Compliance with Maintenance Payments in Divorce Cases

Tin Pei Ling asked how the Ministry will ensure full compliance with maintenance orders, especially when the paying parent has the financial means to do so.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that the Maintenance Record Officer scheme helps assess whether a parent is unable or unwilling to pay, allowing the courts to consider harsher penalties for those unwilling to comply.
For parents facing genuine financial hardship, families are referred to Social Service Offices for financial assistance.
The Ministry and Family Justice Courts will continue reviewing the maintenance enforcement regime to enhance compliance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Measures at Autonomous Universities to Reduce Risk of Assaults on Students

The Minister outlined that all autonomous universities have a Code of Conduct expecting students to uphold values like respect, integrity, and adherence to the law, with education on these standards and personal responsibility for campus safety.
Breaches, including assaults, trigger disciplinary actions such as suspensions, expulsions, mandatory counselling, or No-Contact Orders for victims, with temporary campus bans for students under investigation if deemed a risk.
Universities implement 24/7 security patrols, increased CCTV surveillance, and allow students to call security anytime, and address off-campus misconduct using police investigations and disciplinary processes.
For medical and dental schools, decisions on student fitness consider professional ethical codes, guidelines, and past disciplinary tribunal rulings when assessing those convicted of violent crimes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Law

The Ministry of Law will advance access to justice and strengthen the Rule of Law, implementing measures to help businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19, including simplified insolvency proceedings and enhanced legal aid.
Efforts will focus on streamlining legal processes, expanding digital transformation, and supporting vulnerable groups through partnerships with social service agencies to address both legal and social needs.
Singapore will bolster its position as an international dispute resolution hub, enhance capabilities in high-growth legal areas, and support businesses in intellectual property and geospatial innovation.
Legal reforms will include stronger protections for victims of crimes and harassment, a new specialist Protection from Harassment Court, and measures to simplify family and civil court processes.
The ministry will collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and technology adoption in the legal sector, ensuring a trusted and progressive legal system for a post-COVID-19 world.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs faces significant threats including terrorism, foreign interference, cross-border crimes like online scams, and the need to maintain domestic racial and religious harmony, while also coordinating the national COVID-19 response through agencies like the Homefront Crisis Executive Group and Safe Travel Office.
MHA is enhancing regulatory frameworks by amending gambling laws, creating a new Gambling Regulatory Authority, reviewing drug laws to address new psychoactive substances, strengthening fire safety enforcement, and considering legislation against foreign interference and hostile information campaigns.
The ministry is leveraging technology to bolster the Home Team, including developing digital forensics, expanding sensor networks and analytics, deploying robots and drones for operations, and using automation for prison safety, while also building an integrated 24/7 operations centre.
MHA aims to improve service delivery through one-stop centres like the Integrated Services Centre for immigration services and scaling emergency medical services, while investing in officer training, career development, and community resilience via movements like SGSecure.
Efforts include establishing an Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams, partnering with community and industry stakeholders to combat scams, enhancing drug prevention and ex-offender rehabilitation programmes, and deepening international cooperation with organizations like INTERPOL and ASEAN.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Jun 2020

Installation of Metal Window Grilles for HDB Flats to Enhance Safety for Young Children and Elderly

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry would install metal window grilles in both owned and rental HDB flats to improve safety for young children and the elderly.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB does not provide window grilles as a standard feature in its flats, as not all households need them.
He explained that flat owners who require grilles can purchase them from the market based on their preferences and budget.
For rental tenants, HDB will install window grilles on external facade windows at no cost upon request.
Tenants can approach HDB to request the installation of window grilles.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Jun 2020

Measures and Penalties to Ensure Dormitory Operators and Landlords Comply with Requirements for Communal Living

The Inter-Agency Taskforce is clearing dormitories of COVID-19 and requires all parties to implement safe management and living measures, with MOM providing advisories, checklists, briefings, and communications materials to support compliance.
Dormitory operators must track residents and visitors, stagger common facility use, strengthen health surveillance, and reduce density, while employers must cooperate with testing and updates to the Online Foreign Worker Address Service (OFWAS).
Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $10,000 or jail for employers, fines up to $50,000 or imprisonment for dormitory operators, and licence revocation, while private landlords who fail to comply will be barred from renting to foreign workers.
Workers are required to monitor their health, follow dormitory rules, and report illnesses, with repeated breaches potentially leading to work pass revocation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jun 2020

Dedicated Line and Help Provided for Home Team Officers Facing Mental and Physical Stress when Conducting Spot Checks on Persons under Stay-Home Notice

Ms Joan Pereira asked about a dedicated line for Home Team officers experiencing mental and physical stress during spot checks on Stay-Home Notice persons and what support is available for their well-being.
K Shanmugam confirmed that counselling helplines manned by Home Team psychologists are available to all officers, including those in COVID-19 operations, with increased manning during the pandemic.
Additional measures include in-house psychologists and para-counsellors monitoring distressed officers, frequent engagement by supervisors, self-care materials, and distribution of care packs with personal items.
Physical protection measures for officers are also implemented, as detailed in another parliamentary reply.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jun 2020

Total Number of Scam Cases Reported and Accumulated Financial Losses since COVID-19 Pandemic Started and Preventive Action Taken to Protect Senior Citizens from Such Scams

From January to April 2020, 5,425 scam cases were reported with at least $60.4 million in losses, including 394 COVID-19 related scams that cheated at least $1.4 million.
Police have arrested 27 persons involved in scams worth over $484,000 between February and April 2020, with 16 charged in court.
Preventive actions include public education via WhatsApp advisories, community outreach through Residents’ Committees and grassroots volunteers, and the Silver Watch Group initiative to educate senior citizens on scam prevention.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jun 2020

Update on COVID-19 Cases among Prison Inmates and Staff and Anti-COVID Measures Planned

As of 3 June 2020, three inmates and one staff nurse from the Singapore Prison Service had tested positive for COVID-19, with all cases unlinked and isolated without further spread.
Newly admitted inmates at Changi Prison Complex undergo a 14-day segregation with swab tests upon admission and before joining the general population.
The Singapore Prison Service will not immediately resume family visits or inmate programmes after the circuit breaker, but will de-escalate measures slowly in phases based on community conditions.
Precautionary measures, including early detection, infection control, and safe distancing, have been retained since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
Following the cases in late April and early May, no new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the prisons.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

26 May 2020

Active Mobility (Amendment No. 2) Bill

The Bill shortens the forfeiture process for dangerous devices seized by LTA and expands the public path network to include certain open spaces for safer active mobility use.
It supports Singapore's vision of making active mobility a safe and sustainable transport option for citizens, aligning with the earlier Small Motorised Vehicles Bill.
The debate was procedural, with the Bill moving through its second reading, committee stage, and third reading without amendment.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

26 May 2020

Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Bill

The Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Bill introduces an import control regime requiring LTA approval before bringing non-compliant personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs) into Singapore, with enforcement at checkpoints and penalties for unauthorised imports.
The Active Mobility (Amendment No. 2) Bill shortens the forfeiture process for dangerous non-compliant devices to mitigate fire risks and expands the public path network to include path-connected open spaces like courtyards and plazas for clearer regulation.
Parliament debates highlight concerns about online purchases of non-compliant devices, the need for third-party liability insurance for PMD users, and enhanced enforcement and public education to ensure safety amid rising active mobility usage.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Measures to Enhance Cybersecurity for School Websites and Online Home-based Learning

The Ministry of Education has migrated school websites to a centralized government platform to implement consistent cybersecurity controls and infrastructure management since December 2016.
For the Student Learning Space, robust passwords, regular security testing, and reviews are in place to secure the national digital learning platform.
MOE collaborates with video-conferencing providers to centrally manage security settings, ensuring a safe environment for online live lessons.
Continuous user education through guides, training videos, and webinars is provided to students, parents, and staff to promote cyber wellness and online safety.
These measures are part of ongoing efforts to address evolving cybersecurity threats, especially following the increased reliance on online learning during and after the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Efforts to Assist Those Affected by COVID-19 Crisis Needing Urgent Legal Advice in Light of Circuit Breaker and Suspension of Physical Legal Clinics

The Ministry of Law and its partners continue to provide legal services remotely via video, email, or telephone during the circuit breaker, with the Legal Aid Bureau and Law Society Pro Bono Services offering civil and criminal legal aid to eligible individuals.
Online tools such as the iLAB chatbot and the Community Justice Centre’s automated document assembly provide accessible legal information and self-help options for the public.
The Ministry is coordinating with law practices to ensure urgent legal services continue, allowing exemptions for essential work and supporting remote operations.
Legislative relief, such as that under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, is being implemented to assist individuals and businesses affected by the crisis, including tenants and landlords.
The Ministry is monitoring the situation and will consider further measures as needed to address ongoing legal needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Measures to Ensure Safe Distancing on Public Transport during Circuit Breaker Period and Thereafter

During the circuit breaker period, the Land Transport Authority marked seats and standing areas with safe distancing stickers on public transport and deployed transport ambassadors and enforcement officers to help commuters maintain distance.
All commuters must wear masks on public transport, with refusal of entry, fines, or prosecution for non-compliance.
After the circuit breaker, safe distancing measures will remain but may be challenging during peak hours, so companies should stagger working hours and continue telecommuting while commuters travel off-peak.
Mask-wearing will continue to be mandatory on public transport, consistent with practices in cities like Taipei, Hong Kong, and Seoul.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Training for Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Safe Distancing Measures after COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Period

Training for Safe Distancing Ambassadors includes briefings on safe distancing measures, rules of engagement, handling vulnerable groups, and managing uncooperative individuals, with on-the-job guidance from experienced teammates.
Measures for their safety include providing identification, protective equipment, hygiene reminders, and deploying them in consistent teams to minimize risks.
Safe distancing measures and penalties will continue after the circuit breaker period until June 1, with adjustments based on the situation and continued deployment of ambassadors.
Abuse of officers is unacceptable, and authorities will work with the police to identify and charge offenders under the law.
The public is urged to cooperate with officers, follow advisories, and show support to ensure collective safety.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Complaints about Betting Messages Sent to Mobile Phone Subscribers

Joan Pereira asked for the number of complaints about betting messages sent to mobile subscribers over the past three years and what subscribers can do to block them.
S Iswaran noted that the Police work with telcos to terminate numbers linked to illegal betting, with about 1,300 numbers terminated since May 2018, though specific complaint numbers are not tracked.
Mobile subscribers are advised to use spam filters, third-party apps, or report messages via SPF’s I-Witness platform, Police@sg app, or email, with ongoing collaboration among ministries to address such messages.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Active Mobility (Amendment No. 2) Bill

The Ministry proposed amending the Active Mobility Act 2017 and the Road Traffic Act to regulate public paths and manage seized personal mobility devices and other vehicles.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport introduced the bill on behalf of the Minister, ensuring the amendments align with current mobility needs and enforcement practices.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting, with the text to be printed for review.
The debate focused on modernizing existing legislation to improve safety and order for all road and path users in Singapore.
The amendments aim to clarify the handling of seized devices and expand the scope of regulated paths to include shared mobility solutions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 May 2020

Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Bill

The Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Bill aims to regulate the import and safety of personal mobility devices, power-assisted bicycles, and similar vehicles.
The bill includes provisions to amend existing land transport laws, ensuring all related revenues are paid into the Consolidated Fund.
It was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Transport and approved for a second reading in the next parliamentary session.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source