Public safety & law — Topics

4 May 2020

Reports of Fake News Related to COVID-19

The Government identified and debunked about 40 instances of COVID-19 fake news since January 2020, using various channels like media, websites, and social media to provide accurate information and using POFMA to require corrections from purveyors.
The Minister emphasized a range of legal actions, including charging an individual under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and stated that while there is a general downward trend, instances still pop up episodically, requiring swift response.
The Minister highlighted the importance of public responsibility in verifying information and not sharing falsehoods, noting that the government has comprehensive tools but collective effort is key to reducing the spread.
The Member asked about the trend of fake news and whether creators are adequately identified and held accountable, with the Minister responding that while actions have reduced the propensity, the government focuses on reactive measures rather than proactive identification.

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4 May 2020

Actions to Track Originators of Fake News of Partial Lockdown

The Ministry of Home Affairs is taking firm action against the originators of fake news about a partial lockdown, with the Police investigating such cases and charging offenders under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, which carries penalties of up to three years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
A specific case was cited where a man who circulated a false message about coffee shops and supermarkets being closed was charged, demonstrating the government's commitment to prosecuting such falsehoods.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary emphasized that the existing laws are a sufficient deterrent and that legal enforcement is complemented by public communication efforts to clarify and rebut false information.
The government issued immediate clarifications through official channels like Gov.sg WhatsApp and the MOH website to address the fake message and prevent public alarm.
A question was raised about why the POFMA was not used instead of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, with the response that the choice of charge is assessed on a case-by-case basis based on investigative findings and the Public Prosecutor's discretion.

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4 May 2020

Number of Singaporeans and PRs who Have Applied for Temporary Relief Fund for COVID-19 Situation

The Temporary Relief Fund received 537,080 applications from Singaporeans and PRs as at 30 April 2020, with 3,171 individuals having returned their payouts.
Abuse of the fund may be treated as cheating, punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Returning funds by end-May 2020 would be considered a mitigating factor in assessing fraudulent claims.

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7 Apr 2020

Number of Downloads of Snapsafe App since 2017 and Top Three Unsafe Practices Reported via App

Since its launch in December 2017, the Snapsafe app has been downloaded 20,233 times.
From December 2017 to February 2020, 2,081 reports on unsafe workplace practices were made via the app.
The top three unsafe practices reported were work at height without fall protection, lack or improper use of personal protective equipment, and unsafe lifting practices such as using forklifts improperly or without proper licensing.
The Ministry of Manpower has taken action against 84% of investigated cases based on reports submitted through the app.

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7 Apr 2020

Number of Liquor Control Zone Breaches Reported, Liquor Licences Revoked and Plans to Further Reduce Number of Such Licences in Little India

Melvin Yong asked about the annual number of Liquor Control Zone breaches, top breach types, liquor licence revocations, and plans to reduce licences in Little India.
K Shanmugam reported about 30 shop breaches and 260 individual breaches annually over four years, with top breaches being consumption outside hours, public drunkenness, and supply outside trading hours.
Three liquor licences have been revoked as of March 2020, and MHA sees no need to further reduce licences currently but will review the policy regularly.

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7 Apr 2020

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill

The Bill introduces temporary measures to address COVID-19 impacts, including allowing remote meetings and court proceedings, and providing relief for scheduled contracts like leases and event bookings to prevent forfeiture of deposits or legal actions for non-performance due to the pandemic.
It mandates that property owners pass on property tax rebates to tenants in a timely manner, with enforcement mechanisms and dispute resolution through Valuation Review Panels, ensuring tenants receive intended benefits.
Part 7 grants the Minister for Health powers to enforce enhanced safe distancing measures, such as closing non-essential premises and restricting gatherings, with penalties for non-compliance, to curb COVID-19 transmission during the circuit breaker period.

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7 Apr 2020

Number of Offenders Nabbed Following Smoking Ban in Orchard Road Area

The Orchard Road smoking ban, implemented on 1 January 2019, saw a sharp decline in recorded offences from 21 per day at the start of enforcement to around 15 per day currently, following an initial advisory period.
Designated smoking areas (DSAs) have been established at over 50 locations spaced 100 to 200 meters apart, with the government confirming these are sufficient and positioned away from main pedestrian paths to avoid normalizing smoking.
Residents near Orchard Road have reported displacement of smoking activity to nearby estates like Nutmeg Road and Jalan Lada Puteh, leading to public health concerns, which authorities are addressing through increased monitoring and enforcement.
The Ministry is taking action to mitigate the displacement effect by relocating litter bins away from homes, stepping up cleaning efforts, and urging smokers to use DSAs within the ban zone.

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7 Apr 2020

Number of Police Patrols Deployed at Little India on Weekends

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the number of police patrols in Little India on weekends, whether this has declined over three years, and plans to increase them for safety.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that patrol numbers have remained stable over the past three years, with significant auxiliary and security officers deployed during peak times, supplemented by cameras that have increased from 34 to about 200.
Mr Yong, in a supplementary question, raised resident concerns about drunken individuals on upper floors of HDB blocks, suggesting vertical patrols, but the response clarified that patrols already cover common areas and higher floors based on feedback, and encouraged sharing specific locations for action.

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6 Apr 2020

Average and Median Waiting Times between Adult Rape Victim First Approaching Police Station and Filing of First Information Report in Each of Last Five Years

Ms Yip Pin Xiu asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the average and median waiting times for adult rape victims from their first approach to a police station to the filing of a first information report over the last five years.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that the Singapore Police Force does not track the specific time taken for report filing upon arrival at a police station.
He explained that rape victims are instructed to approach service counters directly and will be attended to as soon as possible by officers.
The Minister emphasized that the police take all reports of sexual assault seriously and investigate them expeditiously.
The response indicates that the requested data on waiting times is not available due to a lack of tracking by the authorities.

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6 Apr 2020

Plans to Tackle Transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Prisons

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated there are no known instances of inmates contracting HIV, Hepatitis B or C in prisons and that strict healthcare protocols are followed, with regular health talks conducted.
Hepatitis B vaccination is not mandatory for inmates, as the Ministry references the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, though it will continue to review healthcare approaches through its Medical Advisory Panel.
Prisons remain COVID-19 free, with protective measures including isolation of new inmates, temperature monitoring, testing, and provision of PPE to staff.
From 7 April to 4 May 2020, prisons suspended external programmes and all family visits (face-to-face and tele-visits), allowing only local phone calls and letters to maintain family contact.

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26 Mar 2020

Regulations that Prohibit Breastfeeding in Public

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary clarified that there is no law in Singapore strictly prohibiting public breastfeeding, though indecent exposure laws could apply depending on the circumstances.
She explained that police would assess each case individually, but mothers genuinely breastfeeding are generally unlikely to be prosecuted under indecency laws.
Louis Ng sought specific clarification on whether breastfeeding without a cover could lead to prosecution, and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary reiterated that breastfeeding in public is not illegal and police will not intervene unless there are law and order concerns.

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25 Mar 2020

Update on Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19

The Ministers provided an update on Singapore's COVID-19 situation, noting a second wave of imported cases has led to a rapid rise in local infections, with 558 confirmed cases and two deaths, and outlined a three-pronged strategy to reduce imports, detect and isolate cases early, and promote social responsibility.
New restrictive measures were announced, including banning short-term visitors, requiring returning residents to serve 14-day Stay-Home Notices, and implementing stricter safe distancing rules such as limiting gatherings to 10 people and suspending entertainment venues, schools, and religious services for at least a month.
The government emphasized the need to preserve healthcare capacity by diverting mild cases to community facilities, expanding contact tracing, and leveraging technology like the TraceTogether app, while urging public cooperation to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.
Officials addressed constitutional and operational questions regarding the General Election, stating that any delay beyond the constitutional deadline would be unlawful, and outlined plans to ensure voting safety if elections are held during the pandemic.
Enforcement actions were detailed for breaches of Stay-Home Notices, including fines, jail terms, and revocation of passes for foreigners, with a call for public vigilance against misinformation and irresponsible behavior that endangers public health.

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25 Mar 2020

Number of Sexual Crime Offenders who Have Escaped Mandatory Caning Due to Age

Murali Pillai asked about the number of offenders aged 50 and above who have avoided mandatory caning for serious sexual offences in the past five years and whether the age limit should be removed.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that 13 offenders above 50 were convicted for aggravated rape or sexual assault by penetration in the last five years and were not caned due to their age, with courts able to impose additional imprisonment instead.
Murali Pillai highlighted that the age limit of 50 originated from a 1900 colonial law when life expectancy was lower, and noted that Malaysia allows caning for offenders above 50 if medically fit, questioning the rationality of the age threshold.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the colonial legacy of the age limit and stated that the government regularly reviews criminal justice policies, including considering trends and statistics for offenders above 50, but did not commit to changing the policy.
Both sides emphasized ongoing reviews of caning policies, with the government indicating it would provide updates if any changes are made to the age requirement for mandatory caning.

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5 Mar 2020

Number of Cases Requiring an Assistant Registrar to Sign Documents for Sale of Matrimonial Property due to Refusal by Spouse to Sign Sale Documents

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Law for data over the past five years on cases where an Assistant Registrar had to sign documents for selling matrimonial property due to a spouse's refusal, including the duration of the signing process, the number of prior similar applications, and whether such data would be collected if not already available.
The Minister responded that the requested data for parts (a), (b), and (c) is currently not collected, but explained that the time from the initial court order to the Assistant Registrar's signing depends on case specifics and that approved applications are signed on the same day.
The Ministry will explore with the Courts the possibility of collecting such data in the future.

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5 Mar 2020

Number of Court Applications Involving Spouse Refusing to Comply with Court Orders on Sale of Matrimonial Home in the Past Five Years

The Ministry of Law currently does not collect data on court applications where a spouse refuses to comply with court orders for the sale of the matrimonial home, as requested in parts (a), (b), and (c) of the question.
The duration of such applications varies depending on the specific case details, including the initial order’s terms and the timing of the enforcement application.
The Ministry will explore with the Courts whether it is feasible to collect the requested data in the future.

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4 Mar 2020

Efforts Made to Investigate Open Cases against Four Companies under Transboundary Haze Pollution Act Initiated in 2015

The Ministry confirmed that the cases against four companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act remain open, while two others were closed after investigation showed no association with the affected lands.
The Ministry explained that legal action can be pursued if relevant company directors enter Singapore, and that one director already faces an outstanding court warrant.
The Ministry noted that while no company has been prosecuted yet, the Act has served to pressure companies to act responsibly, and there are no plans to introduce financial incentives for whistleblowers.

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3 Mar 2020

Statistics on Number of Emergency Calls Related to Sucides and Mental Health Conditions Received by SCDF and Police in Last Three Years

Ms Anthea Ong queried the Minister for Home Affairs on the number of emergency and 999 calls received by SCDF and Police related to suicides and mental health conditions over the last three years, including details on false alarms, officer hours spent, training, support timeliness, and the feasibility of specialised mental health ambulances.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that from 2017 to 2019, Police received an average of 1,204 attempted suicide reports annually but do not track false alarms, hours spent, or cases where persons died before help arrived.
The Minister explained that specialised mental health ambulances are not feasible due to the need for immediate island-wide response, and instead, normal ambulances are dispatched quickly with additional resources like DART and CNU for complex cases.
All Police officers receive training in managing mentally distressed individuals and undergo regular refreshers, with specialised teams available for negotiation and rescue operations.

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2 Mar 2020

Committee of Supply – Head P (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Ministers and MPs acknowledged the Home Team's effective role in maintaining Singapore's top global safety ranking, while raising concerns about emerging threats like scams, drug abuse, and terrorism, and the need to leverage technology and community partnerships.
The government outlined plans to enhance operational capabilities, including setting up an Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams, increasing the retirement age for uniformed officers to 58 by 2030, and expanding the use of robotics, automation, and digital forensics through the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX).
Discussions emphasized strengthening rehabilitation for offenders and preventive education on drugs, with targeted campaigns to address evolving threats like New Psychoactive Substances and cannabis, while engaging communities, including youths and specific ethnic groups.

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28 Feb 2020

Committee of Supply – Head B (Attorney-General's Chambers)

Sylvia Lim proposed splitting the Attorney-General's dual role as Public Prosecutor and government legal advisor to enhance independence and suggested a minimum tenure for the office.
The Senior Minister of State for Law responded that Singapore's system already has robust safeguards, including constitutional provisions and a dual-key appointment process, and highlighted high public trust in the legal system.
The Minister noted that other jurisdictions have different systems and that Singapore's approach, with non-political appointees and strong removal protections, ensures independence without needing structural separation.

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27 Feb 2020

Prevalence of and Enforcement against Jaywalking

The Ministry reported that about 2,500 jaywalking violations were detected in 2019, with 59 fatal traffic accidents involving jaywalkers from 2017 to 2019, 68% of which involved the elderly.
Measures to improve safety include public education campaigns like the "Be Seen, Be Safe" carnival, community outreach with organizations like Lion Befrienders, and the implementation of Silver Zones, with plans to expand from 17 to 50 by 2023.
Enforcement is conducted at accident-prone locations, with penalties increased to $50, though the use of technology like CCTV and facial recognition is being considered cautiously due to privacy concerns.
The Ministry acknowledges the need for more education on dangers like using mobile phones while crossing, aligning with calls for stricter enforcement and community engagement.

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