Public safety & law — Topics

3 Feb 2020

Number of Vehicle Fires Occurring in Housing Estates and Efforts to Educate Vehicle Owners

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the number of vehicle fires in housing estates in the past year and how vehicle owners can better spot danger signs for quick remedial action.
Khaw Boon Wan reported that there were 64 vehicle fires in housing estates in 2019, including those in open-air carparks, multi-storey carparks, minor roads, and landed residential units.
To prevent vehicle fires, owners should check for fluid leakage, service their vehicles regularly, and avoid illegal modifications, with additional tips available from SCDF advisories at petrol kiosks, inspection centres, and customer service centres.

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3 Feb 2020

Cases of Data Breaches in Government Agencies Involving Suppliers and Subcontractors Engaged by Third Party Vendors and Efforts to Safeguard Our Systems

There were 15 data incidents in 2019 involving lapses by third-party vendors for Government agencies, but none involved subcontractors of these vendors.
The Government’s direct vendor remains fully responsible for cybersecurity and data protection, with penalties for breaches, and requirements extend to their subcontractors.
Both vendors and subcontractors handling Government data are subject to the Personal Data Protection Act and may face penalties for non-compliance.
Improved standards for vendors and subcontractors will be implemented by 30 April 2020, with contracts specifying cybersecurity requirements and regular audits to ensure compliance.
The measures follow recommendations from the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee to safeguard Government systems.

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3 Feb 2020

Drivers Penalised for Not Securing Loads Properly on Trucks in Last Three Years

From 2017 to 2019, 234 drivers were penalised for failing to properly secure loads on lorries and trucks, with 14 resulting in injuries and no fatalities.
The Traffic Police conduct engagement sessions with heavy vehicle drivers and there are existing advisory guidelines on safe loading and securing techniques.
The Road Traffic Act imposes fines up to $200 for light vehicles and $250 for heavy vehicles, with up to six demerit points; these composition sums were raised in April 2019.

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3 Feb 2020

Prosecution of Social Media Impersonation Cases

Ms Rahayu Mahzam questioned the Minister for Home Affairs on the prosecution status, investigation timelines, and anti-scam measures related to the 672 social media impersonation cases reported in the first 11 months of 2019.
The Minister highlighted that most scams originated from overseas, making prosecutions difficult due to the use of false identities and cross-border complexities, with no prosecutions so far despite some investigations being concluded.
The Anti-Scam Centre has improved fund recovery from 4% to 35% by quickly freezing accounts and working with local and foreign banks, while also coordinating with social media companies like Facebook to combat scams.
Public education is emphasized as the key defense, with police issuing advisories to raise awareness about scam methods and prevention advice.

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3 Feb 2020

Ensuring Safety of Students as They Travel Overseas for Regional Exposure Given Conflicts and Economic Instability Globally

The Minister for Education highlighted that student safety is a top priority for Institutes of Higher Learning when organizing overseas programs under the Global Education Programme, with destinations assessed based on travel advisories and partner feedback.
Institutions will modify, postpone, or cancel overseas programs if a location is deemed unsafe, as demonstrated by ITE canceling programs to Hong Kong due to violent street protests.
All students are required to attend pre-trip briefings covering safety precautions, MFA e-registration, insurance, and emergency contacts to prepare for their travels.
Crisis management plans are in place for emergencies abroad, including potential medical assistance and evacuation, with regular updates provided to parents.

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3 Feb 2020

Measures to Counter New Tactics in Actual and Attempted Piracy and Robbery Cases in Singapore Strait and Surrounding Waters

The Minister confirmed that piracy tactics in the Singapore Strait remain largely unchanged, involving petty theft, and that incidents fluctuate yearly; Singapore works closely with neighbouring countries to share information and intelligence to counter threats.
Singapore's maritime agencies act within territorial waters, while regional cooperation through the Malacca Straits Patrol and revised Standard Operating Procedures enhances joint exercises, information sharing, and suspicious contact indicators to tackle transnational piracy.
The Republic of Singapore Navy's Information Fusion Centre and the Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre coordinate daily maritime security responses and have successfully shared information leading to arrests in neighbouring waters.
Additional measures include deepening information sharing with Malaysian and Indonesian agencies and restructuring the Maritime Security Task Force to bolster assets and capabilities, with this review expected to conclude in the coming months.

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3 Feb 2020

Ensuring Third Party Contractors in Government Projects Adopt High Cybersecurity Standards

Mr Desmond Choo asked how the Government ensures third party contractors adopt high cybersecurity standards and make cybersecurity competency a key criterion for awarding contracts, following a personal data breach at the Ministry of Defence.
Teo Chee Hean stated that third party contractors handling personal data must implement cybersecurity and data protection measures, with penalties for breaches under contractual terms or the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
The Government has adopted recommendations from the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee to strengthen oversight of third party contractors, including incorporating data security requirements into contracts and conducting regular audits.
Investigations into the recent MINDEF data incidents involving third party vendors are ongoing, and GovTech will work with MINDEF to identify gaps and address them across the public service and its vendors.

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3 Feb 2020

Investigations into Piracy Incidents in Singapore Strait in and after December 2019

In December 2019 and January 2020, 12 piracy incidents occurred in the Singapore Strait outside Singapore territorial waters, so no local investigations were required; investigations would only be triggered if incidents happened within Singapore waters.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Republic of Singapore Navy, and Police Coast Guard monitor vessels, issue alerts, and advise on anti-piracy measures, while Singapore conducts joint patrols with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand through the Malacca Straits Patrol and participates in ReCAAP for regional information sharing.
The Government plans to continue robust maritime security responses, encourage incident reporting to ReCAAP, and work with regional partners to prevent similar piracy acts.

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3 Feb 2020

Action against Singaporeans Involved in Dumping Toxic, Plastics or Other Wastes in Neighbouring Countries

Singapore's Minister Masagos Zulkifli outlined that the Basel Convention governs transboundary waste movement, requiring prior informed consent and allowing legitimate recycling, with Singapore using the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Act to enforce domestic compliance.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates and penalizes illegal waste exports, with fines up to $300,000 for companies and up to $100,000 or two years imprisonment for individuals, and engages companies to raise awareness and investigate violations with importing countries.
Singapore is amending its Hazardous Waste Act to align with expanded Basel Convention rules that will cover certain plastic waste from January 2021, with further details to be shared in the upcoming Second Reading of the Amendment Bill.
The government emphasizes balancing enforcement against illegal waste exports with supporting legitimate recycling flows to foster a circular economy, committing to international cooperation and strict action against violations.

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3 Feb 2020

Recorded Offences in Last Three Years for Smoking in Common Corridors and Void Decks of HDB Blocks and of High-rise Littering of Cigarette Butts and Ash

The Senior Minister of State reported that over the past three years, over 11,000 tickets were issued for smoking in HDB common corridors and void decks, while over 2,200 enforcement actions were taken for high-rise littering of cigarette butts and ash from HDB flats.
In response to concerns about persistent smoking in stairwells and corridors, the National Environment Agency has started deploying thermal cameras in residential areas to capture evidence of offences, resulting in over 20 offenders being fined.
No update was provided on measures to address second-hand smoke from private residences, as the government emphasises the need to balance enforcement with privacy concerns and encourages civic-mindedness among residents.

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3 Feb 2020

Rationale for New Pre-court Action Protocol for Business-to-business Debt Claims

The new Pre-Court Action Protocol for business-to-business debt claims was introduced by the State Courts to encourage early resolution of disputes before proceedings, aiming to reduce disproportionate legal costs and court resource usage, given that 75% of such claims are withdrawn, discontinued, or settled in default.
The protocol requires a Letter of Claim detailing the debt and supporting documents, followed by a Response within 28 days (adjustable based on circumstances), with cost sanctions for non-compliance unless justified, while still allowing creditors to commence proceedings at any time.
The State Courts consulted the Law Society’s Civil Practice Committee during development and again in January 2020 for feedback, and they are reviewing that input to potentially fine-tune the protocol, while emphasizing flexibility (e.g., the 28-day period is not fixed and can be shortened for urgent cases like liquidity issues or debtor foot-dragging).

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3 Feb 2020

Frequency of SCDF Audits on Functionality of Fire Hose Points in Condominiums

SCDF conducts audits on fire hose points in condominiums, with higher-risk buildings requiring annual professional engineer audits for Fire Certificate renewal, and SCDF also inspects based on feedback.
The MCST and managing agent remain fully liable for non-functional fire safety measures even if they hire a third party for inspections, and can face fire hazard abatement notices or composition notices if issues are not rectified.
Concerns were raised that MCST volunteers may lack expertise to verify outsourced audits, potentially leading to undetected non-functionality during emergencies despite certificate renewals.

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3 Feb 2020

Rehabilitation Measures for Young Sex Offenders to Prevent Recidivism

The Ministry of Home Affairs outlined that young sex offenders in prison or on probation undergo tailored programmes to address criminogenic risks, with interventions like psychology-based sessions and family support to reduce recidivism.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary addressed public concerns about sentencing discrepancies, emphasizing that the law applies equally regardless of background and urging against drawing conclusions from isolated cases.
Rehabilitation efforts involve collaboration with agencies like the Singapore Prison Service and Ministry of Social and Family Development, with ongoing research to enhance programmes and outreach to schools and universities to prevent sexual offences.

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3 Feb 2020

Tougher Stance on Drug Traffickers and Syndicates

The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains a firm stance against drugs due to their severe societal costs, with a 2015 study estimating costs at S$1.23 billion, an amount likely underestimated.
Enforcement remains intensive, with nearly 1,500 operations conducted in 2019, and legislation has been strengthened to protect minors, including harsher penalties for adults who involve young persons in drug trafficking or expose them to drugs.
While no trend of syndicates exploiting minors has been detected, the government is enhancing preventive education, especially through social media, to counter global pro-legalization messages and target high-risk youth.

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6 Jan 2020

Percentage of Requests for Personal Protection Orders Made by Foreign Spouses against Their Husbands in Past Three Years

Ms Anthea Ong asked for the number and percentage of Personal Protection Order (PPO) requests made by foreign spouses against their husbands over the past three years, as well as how many and what percentage of such requests were approved.
In 2016, 2,811 PPO applications were received, with 203 (7%) filed by foreign wives against their husbands, and 101 (50%) of those were approved.
The remaining applications from foreign wives in 2016 were withdrawn, dismissed, or struck out.

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6 Jan 2020

Data on Number of Children Injured in Motor Accidents as a Result of Not Being Secured in Child Seats

Louis Ng asked if hospitals collect data on children injured in motor accidents due to not being secured in child seats, and if so for numbers and percentages over the past 10 years broken down by age groups; if not, whether such data collection would start.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the National Trauma Registry tracks children aged 9 and below treated for traumatic injuries from motor accidents but cannot confirm if injuries were directly due to not using child seats or restraints.
Data from 2012 to 2018 shows between 106 and 225 such cases per year, with over half of the children known to have used restraints, while the status of the remainder is unknown.
The minister emphasized that motorists and passengers should always use appropriate restraints in vehicles.

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6 Jan 2020

Number of Singaporean and Foreign Sex Workers Arrested and Prosecuted for Public Solicitation in Past 10 Years

Between 2009 and 2018, 281 arrests were made for public solicitation of prostitution, resulting in 181 prosecutions.
Approximately 25% of those arrested and 20% of those prosecuted were Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
Offenders face a maximum fine of $1,000, with repeat offenders liable to fines up to $2,000 or six months’ imprisonment.

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6 Jan 2020

Action Taken against Riders Using Throttle-operated Electric Bikes in Last Five Years and Types of Such Bikes Approved Since Passing of Active Mobility Act in 2017

The Minister confirmed that no throttle-operated electric bikes have been approved for use in Singapore since the Active Mobility Act passed in 2017, due to safety concerns about sudden accelerations.
Enforcement action was taken against 1,863 cases in 2015, 1,648 in 2016, 406 in 2017, 485 in 2018, and about 837 in 2019 involving non-compliant power-assisted bicycles, with most related to throttle-based bikes.
The figures cover the last five years from 2015 to 2019, as the query pertained to the period preceding the Act’s implementation.

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6 Jan 2020

Effectiveness of Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal

The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT), established in 2015, provides an accessible and low-cost avenue for resolving neighbour disputes, with a $150 filing fee and simplified, judge-led procedures that generally disallow lawyer representation.
From October 2015 to September 2019, the CDRT disposed of 319 claims, with 235 resolved amicably through withdrawals or consent orders, while 84 were decided by the tribunal, and compliance is enforced through Special Directions with serious penalties for non-compliance.
The government continues to monitor the CDRT’s effectiveness and welcomes feedback on improving its processes for greater efficiency and enforceability of outcomes.

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6 Jan 2020

Complaints of Noise Pollution Caused by Vehicles with Modified Engines

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the number of complaints received over the past three years regarding noise pollution from vehicles with modified engines and the process LTA uses to handle such complaints and enforce rules.
Since 2017, LTA has received 4,377 complaints about noise pollution suspected to be caused by illegally modified vehicles.
Over the past three years, LTA has taken action against 3,792 illegally modified vehicles based on complaints and regular enforcement efforts.
Illegal vehicle modifications can result in fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to three months, or both, with penalties doubled for repeat offenders.
The public can report illegally modified vehicles to LTA through its feedback channels.

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