Public safety & law — Topics

26 Feb 2020

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

NParks has concluded its investigation into alleged animal welfare offences at Platinium Dogs Club.
The case is now undergoing legal assessment, and findings cannot be shared at this stage.
The update was provided in response to a parliamentary question by MP Louis Ng Kok Kwang.

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26 Feb 2020

Targeted Efforts at Reducing Number of New Drug Abusers among Our Youths

Ms Joan Pereira raised the need for more targeted efforts to reduce new drug abusers among youths and to equip VWOs and NGOs with anti-drug knowledge.
The Minister outlined multiple existing initiatives, including school exhibitions, after-school engagement programmes, social media campaigns, and training for community agencies to identify early signs of drug abuse.
Collaboration with agencies like MOE, MSF, and NCADA includes interactive films, youth advocates, and national committees to coordinate prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

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18 Feb 2020

Measures to Protect Children at Home from Sexual Grooming and Harassment on Social Media

The government has strengthened laws by lowering the threshold for sexual grooming offences and reducing the age floor for offenders to 18, while also criminalising sexual communication with a minor and showing them sexual images.
Public awareness and digital literacy programmes, such as the MOE’s Character and Citizenship Education and the Digital Media and Information Literacy Framework, are being implemented to educate children on online risks.
Police do not track statistics on sexual assault cases involving children broken down by housing type, but they take all such cases seriously regardless of location.

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18 Feb 2020

Balancing Needs of Motorists and Pedestrians with Increasing Number of Silver Zones Built

The Ministry for Transport emphasized that Silver Zones, introduced in 2014, prioritize pedestrian safety—especially for seniors—through features like longer crossing times, reduced speed limits, and narrower lanes, despite some inconvenience to motorists.
Data shows a 75% drop in road accidents involving senior pedestrians since the implementation of Silver Zones, underscoring the program's effectiveness in enhancing safety for vulnerable road users.
Locations and designs for Silver Zones are determined through community consultation by the Land Transport Authority, balancing the needs of motorists, senior pedestrians, and other stakeholders in high-risk areas.

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18 Feb 2020

Individuals and Organisations Prosecuted for Illegal Shipment of Elephant Ivory and Pangolin Scales in 2019

Louis Ng asked the Ministry for National Development how many individuals and organisations were prosecuted for the 2019 ivory and pangolin scale shipments and for an update on investigations if none were prosecuted.
The Ministry responded that three pangolin scale shipments, two also containing elephant ivory, were seized in Singapore, and collaboration with China led to 14 arrests, with NParks assisting international investigations.
Louis Ng raised the need to follow the money trail to identify kingpins and suggested working with financial institutions to track suspicious transactions, similar to British models.
The Ministry confirmed that NParks shares evidence with international authorities and that financial institutions report suspicious transactions related to money laundering or trafficking to aid investigations.

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4 Feb 2020

Changes in Protocol for SPF, SCDF and IMH Following Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in Singapore

SPF no longer records attempted suicide as an offence following decriminalisation but continues to track related data, while SCDF and IMH maintain existing protocols for responding to such cases.
The Ministry declined to include suicide first-aiders in the SGSecure Responder programme, citing the complexity of mental health crises and advising the public to contact police or SCDF instead.
The proposal for a specialised mental health ambulance or emergency response team was deemed unfeasible, as existing SPF and SCDF officers, including trained crisis and rescue units, are equipped to handle such incidents.
Helplines like IMH’s 24-hour Mental Health Helpline remain available for distressed individuals, alongside other support services.

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4 Feb 2020

Imposing Legal Obligations on Food Delivery Companies to Ensure their Drivers Comply with Active Mobility and Road Traffic Regulations

Dennis Tan asked whether the government will impose legal obligations on food delivery companies to ensure their riders comply with active mobility and road traffic regulations, including device requirements and proper usage.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the Active Mobility (Amendment) and Shared Mobility Enterprises Bills passed on 4 February 2020 already include regulations for businesses like food delivery companies, and that companies should be responsible for ensuring their riders ride safely.
The government will introduce a legal obligation on these companies to ensure all active mobility users they engage have third-party liability insurance, covering bicycles, personal mobility devices, power-assisted bicycles, and personal mobility aids.
Khaw also noted that retailers and users of active mobility devices share responsibility in ensuring devices used on public paths are compliant and used safely.

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4 Feb 2020

Active Mobility (Amendment) Bill

The Active Mobility (Amendment) Bill bans all motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) from footpaths, allowing only non-motorised devices like bicycles and kick-scooters, while expanding cycling path infrastructure to support connectivity.
It introduces new safety regulations, including mandatory theory tests and a minimum age of 16 for e-scooter riders, rules against distracted riding, and a mandatory inspection regime for e-scooters to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The Shared Mobility Enterprises (Control and Licensing) Bill expands licensing to cover all device-sharing services, introduces a class licensing regime for different operators, and requires businesses like food delivery companies to provide third-party liability insurance for riders.

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4 Feb 2020

Consular Support for Singaporeans Arrested or Charged with Offences in Foreign Countries

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the considerations used to determine consular support for Singaporeans arrested or charged abroad.
The Minister emphasized that the safety of Singaporeans is paramount, and consular assistance is tailored to each case’s circumstances, local laws, and international obligations.
Upon notification, MFA contacts next-of-kin, liaises with local authorities, and facilitates visits or updates, all subject to local approval.
Leon Perera sought confirmation if MFA would generally extend consular assistance to all valid requests, and the Minister replied simply, “yes.”

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4 Feb 2020

Measures to Prevent Unauthorised Entry into Singapore as Piracies Spike in Singapore Straits

Mr Seah Kian Peng withdrew his question on measures against piracies and unauthorized entries after noting it was addressed in a written answer.
The question followed a recent spike in piracies along the Singapore Straits, seeking details on additional security measures.
No substantive debate occurred as the query was already answered in a prior written response.

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3 Feb 2020

Efforts to Address Attitudes of Students and Educators towards Sexual Objectification, Harassment and Abuse of Women

The Ministry of Education and Institutes of Higher Learning have enhanced education for students and staff through orientations, online modules, workshops, and campaigns to address sexual misconduct.
They have strengthened disciplinary frameworks, including imposing tougher penalties such as expulsion for sexual misconduct.
Campus infrastructure has been improved with expanded CCTV coverage and full-height partitions in restrooms to prevent incidents like voyeurism.
Support for victims has been bolstered with training for first responders, 24-hour helplines, dedicated victim care units, and enhanced counselling services.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Retail Establishments Charged with Selling Cigarettes to Customers below Legal Age in Past Three Years

From 2017 to 2019, 74 retail establishments were charged for selling cigarettes to customers below the legal age.
The minimum legal age for tobacco was raised from 18 to 19 in 2019 and to 20 in 2020, with a further increase to 21 scheduled for 2021.
Penalties include fines up to $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for subsequent offences, plus licence suspension or revocation, especially if sales involve minors in school uniform or under 12 years old.
Appeals against charges require retailers to prove they had reasonable grounds to believe the buyer was of legal age and had performed due diligence.
Tobacco retail licensees are held responsible for all transactions at their outlets and the actions of their employees.

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3 Feb 2020

Prohibiting Dissemination of Photos and Videos of Victims of Accidents and Crimes Through Electronic Means

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked if the Ministry for Law would consider prohibiting the electronic dissemination of photos and videos of victims of accidents and crimes.
The Minister for Law, K Shanmugam, stated that existing laws such as the Penal Code and Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) already prohibit such dissemination in cases involving ill-intent, harassment, or law and order issues, with civil remedies also available under POHA.
He emphasized the importance of compassionate behavior and mindful sharing to avoid causing distress to victims and families, highlighting that social norms and etiquette must evolve alongside online communication.
The government and the Media Literacy Council are actively promoting responsible online behavior through campaigns like the 2019 Better Internet Campaign to encourage sound judgment before sharing content.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Cyclists Booked for Riding on Roads without Helmets since New Regulation Took Effect

Dennis Tan asked how many cyclists were booked for not wearing helmets on roads since the new regulation took effect on 1 February 2019.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that 109 pedal cyclists and 25 power-assisted bicycle cyclists were booked between 1 February 2019 and 31 December 2019 for not wearing helmets.
He noted that power-assisted bicycle cyclists have been required to wear helmets since 1 January 2005.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Traffic Accidents in Past Five Years Involving Bicycles and Electric Bicycles and Efforts to Educate Cyclists on Safe Riding

From 2015 to 2019, an average of 520 road accidents annually involved bicycles and 39 involved power-assisted bicycles.
Traffic Police conduct enforcement at hotspots and issue an average of 1,377 summonses yearly to cyclists for offenses such as disorderly riding and riding without a front light.
Traffic Police raise awareness through road safety talks at schools, companies, and community events, and will continue collaborating with the Land Transport Authority and community partners to educate cyclists.

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3 Feb 2020

Number and Proportion of Singaporeans Charged with Offences under Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act

11 individuals have been charged under the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act, with two being Singaporeans.
The amounts allegedly involved in support of terrorism-related activities ranged from $60 to $1,200.
Authorities emphasized that all cases are treated seriously, as any support for terrorism, regardless of amount, threatens national security.

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3 Feb 2020

Statistics on Traffic Accidents Caused by Lane Splitting in Last Five Years and Plans to Raise Road Safety Awareness

Traffic Police does not track the number of accidents specifically caused by lane splitting in the last five years, so data on such incidents, including injuries and fatalities, is unavailable.
The Minister emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility and highlighted initiatives like the Use Your RoadSense and Singapore Ride Safe campaigns to promote defensive riding and alertness among motorists.
Motorcyclists are advised to avoid weaving and practice defensive riding, while all road users are encouraged to check blind spots, give way when necessary, and remain cautious for unexpected situations.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Drivers Caught for Not Securing Passengers below 1.35m in Height and Plans to Raise Awareness on Legal Requirement and Safety Benefits of Using Child Car Seats and Booster Seats

For the past five years, enforcement data on drivers caught for not securing passengers below 1.35 metres with an approved child restraint or body-restraining seat belt is provided in the table appended by the Minister.
The Traffic Police regularly engages the community and conducts enforcement actions to emphasize the legal requirement and safety benefits of using approved child restraints or booster seats.
The composition sums for this offence were increased on 1 April 2019, and the Ministry for Home Affairs will monitor the situation before considering further legislative strengthening.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Piracy Incidents in Singapore Strait between 2015 and 2019

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport for the annual number of piracy incidents in the Singapore Strait between 2015 and 2019.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait between 2015 and 2019 is tabulated below.
The exchange highlights a request for specific data on piracy incidents and the government's preparedness to provide the information.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Piracy Cases Along Singapore Strait in Last Three Years and Measures to Protect Merchant Ships

Over the last three years, piracy incidents in the Singapore Strait were 8 in 2017, 7 in 2018, and 31 in 2019.
Singapore’s maritime agencies monitor vessels, broadcast alerts, and advise ships on protective measures such as surveillance and access control.
Regional cooperation includes joint patrols with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand under the Malacca Straits Patrol to ensure safety in the Singapore and Malacca Straits.
Singapore participates in ReCAAP, which serves as a regional information hub, and encourages timely incident reporting to enable prompt action by coastal states.

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