Public safety & law — Topics

5 Aug 2019

Installation of AEDs in Public Parks

Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for National Development about NParks' plans to install AEDs in public parks.
Lawrence Wong stated that NParks, in collaboration with SCDF, has already installed 170 AEDs in highly frequented parks and park connectors, located at key visitor areas.
He noted that the myResponder app helps the public locate the nearest AED and that NParks is continuing to install more AEDs in consultation with SCDF.

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5 Aug 2019

Number of Unresolved Neighbour Disputes Brought from Community Mediation Centre to Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals

The Minister confirmed the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) does not track how many neighbour disputes originated from the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) before reaching the CDRT.
The CDRT has received 324 applications between October 2015 and June 2019, with orders made in 94 cases, but does not maintain data on the types of orders issued.
The CDRT refers cases back to the CMC for mandatory mediation, having done so in 82 cases (about 25% of its caseload), to encourage amicable resolution before tribunal action.

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5 Aug 2019

Fire Safety (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces tighter regulatory control over the supply chain for fire safety products, appoints third-party officers for enforcement tasks, and empowers SCDF to require building owners to install fire safety measures in higher-risk buildings.
SCDF will ensure third-party officers are carefully selected, trained, and monitored, with safeguards like uniforms, authority cards, body-worn cameras, and oversight to prevent misuse of power.
For existing residential premises, while fire safety measures like sprinklers or smoke detectors are not mandated, SCDF will continue evaluating risks, especially with ageing populations, and promote voluntary installation, including free HFADs for public rental flats.

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5 Aug 2019

Fire Safety (Amendment) Bill

The Bill empowers SCDF to mandate critical fire safety upgrades for older buildings not undergoing renovations, targeting around 500 high-risk structures, while allowing flexibility for building owners facing practical difficulties.
It introduces stricter controls over the entire supply chain for regulated fire safety products, making it an offence to supply non-compliant products and enhancing SCDF's investigative and enforcement powers.
The Bill increases penalties for serious fire safety offences and allows SCDF to outsource routine inspections to third-party officers to optimize resources, focusing on complex enforcement tasks.

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5 Aug 2019

Personal Mobility Devices

The Ministry of Transport announced stricter safety measures for PMDs, including advancing the mandatory UL2272 fire safety certification deadline to July 2020 and introducing a mandatory inspection regime from April 2020, while providing support for users to switch to compliant devices.
To enhance path safety, the government will expand cycling infrastructure, designate pedestrian-only zones in town centers, implement school zone markings, and increase enforcement resources and the use of technology like mobile CCTV to deter errant riding.
The government will not ban PMDs, citing their benefits for mobility and livelihoods, but will continue public education and work with insurers and delivery companies to provide third-party liability coverage, while urging responsible usage and safe charging practices.

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5 Aug 2019

Home Team’s Readiness to Deal with Multiple Concurrent Civil Unrest Incidents

The Home Team uses preventive measures, including the Public Order Act and the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act, to regulate assemblies and empower police to take decisive action to prevent unrest from escalating.
A whole-of-government crisis management system is activated for multiple incidents, and police resources can be bolstered through on-duty and off-duty personnel, National Service members, and volunteers.
The public can support the Home Team by adhering to official advisories, staying vigilant, reporting useful information, and avoiding the spread of misinformation during crises.

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5 Aug 2019

Enhanced Law Enforcement at Orchard Towers

Police have increased enforcement at Orchard Towers with more resources, CCTV cameras, and 18 anti-vice operations in 2018, resulting in 76 arrests and the closure of seven unlicensed massage establishments.
The number of licensed massage establishments has decreased over the past three years, while no new public entertainment licences are being granted for Orchard Towers, and existing licencees face strict compliance checks.
Authorities are addressing concerns about beauty salons potentially circumventing licensing rules, with penalties for unlicensed massage services and vice-related offences under the Women's Charter.
There are calls to cap the number of public entertainment outlets in mixed developments and to non-renew licences for outlets with poor public order records, though enforcement remains the primary focus.
While enhanced law enforcement is ongoing, questions remain about whether it tackles the root cause of vice activities or merely displaces them to other locations.

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5 Aug 2019

Protection and Safety of Pedestrians Given Challenges Presented by PMDs and E-scooter Users

Multiple parliament members expressed concern over the safety and regulation of PMDs and e-scooters, specifically regarding pedestrian safety, infrastructure capacity, and the rise in fire incidents linked to non-compliant devices and battery overcharging.
Key questions focused on strengthening enforcement, accelerating the deadline for UL2272 safety certification, prosecuting retailers selling non-compliant devices, and considering dedicated lanes or temporary bans to mitigate risks.
The Minister of State for Transport requested permission to address all 16 questions in a single ministerial statement, indicating the government's plan to provide a comprehensive response to the multifaceted issues raised.

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8 Jul 2019

Recruitment of Tourists as Volunteers to Care for Dogs by Pet Boarding Services

Melvin Yong inquired about the number of cases where tourists were recruited as volunteers by pet boarding services in exchange for accommodation and meals, and whether actions were taken against them and the companies.
Josephine Teo stated that it is illegal for tourists to work without a valid work pass, regardless of the form of remuneration, and noted only one case has been reported in the past year, with an ongoing investigation.
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, foreigners working illegally can face fines up to $20,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both, while employers hiring them can be fined up to $30,000, imprisoned up to one year, or both.

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8 Jul 2019

Fatality and Injury Rates for Working at Heights in Past Five Years

Fatal and non-fatal injury rates for working at heights declined from 2014 to 2018, with fatal injuries falling from 0.3 to 0.2 per 100,000 workers and non-fatal injuries from 23 to 19 per 100,000 workers.
Construction is the sector most prone to falls from height risks, followed by marine and manufacturing.
The Ministry of Manpower has focused on sustained enforcement and engagement, including inspections and outreach programmes like the "Target Zero Falls" Campaign.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council offers free consultancy services and safety compliance assistance visits to help companies prevent falls from height.
Over 150 companies pledged support in the "Target Zero Falls" Campaign, conducting "Safety Time Outs" to review work-at-heights activities.

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8 Jul 2019

Penalties for Foreign Domestic Workers Who Give False Information or Accuse Employers Wrongly

The Minister for Manpower stated that under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, giving false information or making false accusations is punishable by up to two years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000, with guilty FDWs also banned from employment in Singapore.
From 2016 to 2018, MOM investigated and took action against 25 FDWs for false information or false accusations, resulting in eight being jailed or fined, two receiving composition fines, and 15 given warnings.
All 25 FDWs involved were repatriated and permanently banned from working in Singapore.

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8 Jul 2019

Number of Commercial Divers Who Had Suffered Accidents and Death on Job in Past Five Years

From 2014 to 2018, there were 20 non-fatal and three fatal workplace accidents involving commercial divers in Singapore.
The Ministry of Manpower stepped up inspections at Anchorage Waters in 2018, taking enforcement action against 10 companies for safety lapses.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council is updating the commercial diving training curriculum and engaging companies to ensure proper training for divers.

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8 Jul 2019

Engagement and Outreach Activities Conducted by Cyber Security Agency

The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has conducted various engagement and outreach activities since 2015, including nationwide awareness campaigns, roadshows, school talks, and a Cyber Savvy vending machine in libraries to promote cyber hygiene practices.
Target audiences for CSA’s outreach programmes include the public, enterprises, and students, with specific resources like the Be Safe Online Handbook for businesses and Cyber Safety activity books for primary school students.
Plans are in place to expand public outreach programmes, such as deploying more vending machines in community, commercial, and school settings, and continuing collaborations with agencies like the Ministry of Education to reach more students.

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8 Jul 2019

Update on Investigation into Breach of Singapore Red Cross Website and Remedial Actions Taken

The Singapore Red Cross website was breached in May 2019 due to a weak administrator password, compromising the data of about 4,300 blood donors, and investigations by the Police and PDPC are ongoing.
NGOs and VWOs are not legally required to comply with government IT security guidelines but must follow the Personal Data Protection Act, with support provided by agencies like PDPC and CSA through guidelines and resources.
The government is committed to helping NGOs and VWOs build resilient IT security frameworks, while these organizations also bear responsibility for safeguarding confidential data.

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8 Jul 2019

Timeframe from Final Appellate Court Decision to Date of Hanging, and Timing of Notification of Clemency Outcome and Execution Date to Petitioner

Sylvia Lim asked about the timeframe from final appellate court decisions to executions, the existence of guidelines for clemency petition processing times, and whether clemency and execution notifications are typically given simultaneously.
K Shanmugam stated that the median and average time from final appellate court decisions to executions is around one year, and there are no stipulated timelines for Cabinet advice or presidential office responses on clemency.
The Minister confirmed that since 2016, prisoners and their families have received clemency outcomes and execution dates at the same time, but this procedure is under review following a Court of Appeal decision.
The review aims to consider notifying prisoners and petitioners of the clemency outcome in advance of the execution date notification.

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8 Jul 2019

Update on Community Volunteer Police Force Scheme Enrolment

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the number of residents who have joined the Community Volunteer Police Force and the plans to encourage more enrolments.
K Shanmugam stated that the Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) has about 1,000 officers serving a minimum of 16 hours monthly after six months of training.
A new VSC (Community) or VSCC vocation was launched in April 2018, with over 140 trained officers serving a minimum of eight hours monthly after nine weeks of training.
Recruitment is ongoing through roadshows at community events and malls, with a planned publicity drive later this year to boost awareness and enrolment.

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8 Jul 2019

Update on Action against Fraudulent Websites and Fake Social Media Accounts Using the Names of Singapore Ministers

The Police review all reports of fraudulent websites and fake social media accounts using Singapore Ministers’ names, with perpetrators liable for cheating offences carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine, or under the Protection from Harassment Act with up to six months’ imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, or both.
Some perpetrators have been identified and prosecuted, such as a 2016 case where an individual impersonating Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon was fined $4,000 for attempted cheating by personation.
Police work with agencies like IMDA to block access to known fraudulent websites via internet service providers and collaborate with social media platforms to remove fake accounts.
The Police also investigate other types of fraudulent conduct beyond the misuse of Ministers’ names.

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8 Jul 2019

Guidelines and Regulations on Availability of Automated External Defibrillators for Commercial and Residential Properties and Public Buildings and Areas

It is not mandatory for any building owners, whether private or public, to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in their premises as the government does not assess a need for such a requirement at this time.
Many public and commercial buildings, such as schools, MRT stations, and sports venues, already have AEDs installed, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has placed AEDs in HDB lift lobbies under the Save-A-Life initiative.
The SCDF is expanding the AED placement initiative to condominiums and is working with the Ministry of Health and the Singapore Heart Foundation to encourage more establishments to install and register AEDs nationally.

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8 Jul 2019

Statistics of Money Laundering Cases at Both Integrated Resorts

Mr Patrick Tay asked the Minister for Home Affairs for annual statistics on detected, investigated, prosecuted, and convicted money laundering cases at the two integrated resorts since they opened.
The Commercial Affairs Department detected nine individuals using criminal proceeds in the casinos since 2010, all of whom were prosecuted and convicted for money laundering.
The casinos have a robust framework requiring customer due diligence and monitoring for suspicious transactions, overseen by the Casino Regulatory Authority.
Singapore has tough penalties for money laundering, including fines up to S$500,000 and/or imprisonment up to 10 years under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crime (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

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8 Jul 2019

Number of Foreign Motorists Summoned for Not Displaying Vehicle Plates Properly and Measures to Ensure Easy Identification of Foreign Vehicles

Rahayu Mahzam asked about the number of foreign motorists summoned in the past three years for improperly displayed vehicle plates and the measures to ensure foreign vehicles are easily identifiable at checkpoints.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that between July 2017 and May 2019, the Land Transport Authority turned back over 2,200 foreign vehicles for failing to display licence plates properly.
The Ministry of Transport is developing an enhanced enforcement system using cameras, sensors, and data analytics to better identify vehicles with improperly displayed plates, to be deployed in the second half of 2020.

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