Public safety & law — Topics

1 Apr 2019

Serious Accidents Involving Personal Mobility Devices

There were 228 reported accidents involving personal mobility devices in 2017 and 2018, with 196 resulting in injuries, including one fatal incident and 32 major injuries.
The government has implemented a registration regime, lowered speed limits, and enforced strict penalties, including fines and jail terms, to deter reckless behavior and improve safety.
Victims can seek compensation through private settlement, mediation, or civil suits, and the court may order compensation if the responsible party is convicted of a negligent act.
Authorities strongly encourage third-party liability insurance for users, and requirements are being introduced for PMD-sharing and delivery companies to ensure coverage.
No specific data is available on victims unable to claim treatment costs and left in debt, but measures are in place to facilitate claims and protect against third-party liability.

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1 Apr 2019

Application, Issuance and Rejection of Personal Protection Orders

From 2016 to 2018, the Family Justice Courts received an annual average of about 2,700 PPO applications, issuing an average of 1,200 orders per year, with the rest withdrawn or dismissed.
Applications may be withdrawn with court permission or dismissed if the court is not satisfied that family violence occurred and a PPO is necessary, aiming to protect applicants from coercion.
The process has been streamlined with online applications and walk-in options at the Family Justice Courts and Family Violence Specialist Centres to improve accessibility and convenience.

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1 Apr 2019

Mandatory Cybersecurity Courses for Government and Private Sector Employees

The Government has made cybersecurity training mandatory for all public officers through an IT security awareness programme launched in 2018, with additional measures like annual conferences and regular cyber exercises to build awareness and response capabilities.
For the private sector, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) promotes cybersecurity through talks, online resources, and programmes like "Cyber Tips 4 You," while Critical Information Infrastructure owners must meet legal obligations to establish employee awareness programmes and participate in exercises.
The Government is committed to working with the private sector and individuals to strengthen Singapore's Digital Defence by instilling a strong cybersecurity culture across all levels.

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1 Apr 2019

Proposal to Review International Arbitration Act to Allow for Appeal through Singapore Courts

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Ministry for Law whether it will consider allowing appeals to Singapore courts for alleged errors of law in international arbitration awards.
Minister K Shanmugam highlighted Singapore’s strong reputation in international arbitration and noted that the current Act allows setting aside awards only on limited grounds, with no provision for appeals on points of law.
The Ministry is considering amendments to allow parties to opt into an appeal mechanism on questions of law, with safeguards against frivolous appeals.
This proposal aims to enhance party autonomy and flexibility while preserving finality, and the Ministry plans to conduct a public consultation on the review.

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1 Apr 2019

Public Education on Dangers of Consumption of Psychoactive Substances

The Government, through the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA), runs targeted campaigns to correct the misconception that New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are less risky, emphasizing their severe physical and psychological harms.
CNB has intensified online and social media efforts since 2016, including youth-centric videos and infographics, to counter misinformation and build resilience against drug abuse.
Initiatives like the "Feed Ambition. Fight Temptation" campaign and illustrated books engage youths and parents, while outreach programs and collaborations with educators and NS commanders strengthen anti-drug advocacy across communities.

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1 Apr 2019

Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Law

Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong clarified a factual error in his earlier speech on the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill.
He mistakenly referred to a 2008 Hansard extract when it was actually from 2013.
The correction was made to ensure the official record is accurate.

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1 Apr 2019

Protection from Harassment (Amendment) Bill

The Protection from Harassment (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the Protection from Harassment Act and related laws, presented by Senior Minister of State for Law Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading in the next parliamentary sitting.
The amendments aim to enhance legal protections against harassment, with related changes to other Acts to ensure consistency.

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1 Apr 2019

Restricting Hate Speech to Maintain Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore

Multiple speakers emphasized that hate speech poses a severe threat to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony, arguing that laws must be applied firmly and preemptively to deter offensive and hateful expressions that could incite division or violence.
There was broad consensus that while free speech is valued, it carries responsibility; a case-by-case assessment of context and harm is necessary, and education alongside legislation is vital to foster understanding and respect.
Speakers highlighted the need for a unified, impartial approach to enforcement, urging the public to report hate speech and avoid spreading unverified claims, while also leveraging community and cultural initiatives to build trust and resilience against intolerance.

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1 Apr 2019

Restricting Hate Speech to Maintain Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore

The Minister for Home Affairs outlined Singapore’s strict approach to restricting hate speech and offensive content to preserve racial and religious harmony, citing global examples like the Christchurch attack and the cancellation of the Watain concert.
Several MPs supported the government’s balanced framework, emphasizing that free speech must be weighed against social stability, while some raised concerns about last-minute decision-making and the need for clearer public education on what constitutes offensive speech.
The debate highlighted the importance of proactive community engagement, interfaith dialogue, and stronger online regulation to counter hate speech, especially among youth, to maintain Singapore’s fragile social cohesion.

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1 Apr 2019

Lessons from Recent Shooting Incidents in Amsterdam and Christchurch

The debate highlighted lessons from the shootings in Utrecht and Christchurch, emphasizing the need to reject extremist ideologies through firm action, such as working with groups like the Religious Rehabilitation Group to counter radical teachings.
It underscored the importance of strict firearms controls, noting Singapore's existing severe penalties for unlawful possession and use, and pointed to New Zealand's move to ban military-style weapons after Christchurch.
The government outlined enhanced preparedness measures, including deploying In-Situ Reaction Teams island-wide and conducting community drills, to ensure swift response and resilience during attacks.
The community was urged to stay vigilant, report suspicious behavior, and know how to respond during incidents, with the SGSecure movement strengthening individual and national readiness.
The response highlighted the power of unity, citing how New Zealanders of various faiths stood together after the Christchurch attack, and stressed that Singapore must similarly stand united to thwart terrorists' goals of division.

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1 Apr 2019

Unauthorised Modifications in Industrial Buildings

Leon Perera asked what measures prevent unauthorized modifications in industrial buildings beyond initial inspections.
The Minister explained that building owners must get approvals before any additions or alterations, and the BCA conducts periodic structural inspections every five years for industrial buildings.
Professional Engineers must check for unauthorized works during inspections and report findings to BCA, with penalties for non-compliance.
Stern actions include fines up to $200,000 or jail for offenders, and fines up to $20,000 for engineers failing duties.
The public can report suspected unauthorized structures to the BCA.

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1 Apr 2019

Remedial Actions Following Blood Donors' Personal Data Leak

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and its vendor Secur Solutions immediately disabled access to the exposed server after a foreign cybersecurity expert reported the vulnerability, and investigations are ongoing while the expert has confirmed data deletion and made no compensation demands.
The HSA Board has established a special committee to review data management policies, and the Prime Minister has convened a separate public sector-wide committee to comprehensively review data security practices across all government agencies.
The Ministry of Health agreed that streamlining IT procurement across its departments and public healthcare entities would help reduce personal data access by multiple vendors, a process already being implemented progressively.

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8 Mar 2019

Time Taken to Conclude a Divorce at Family Justice Courts and Syariah Court

The Minister for Law stated that consensual civil divorces at the Family Justice Courts take about four months on average, while contested ones take about eight months.
At the Syariah Court, consensual divorces are concluded within six months on average, and contested cases take about one year from filing.
There was no increase in divorce filings in 2017/2018 compared to 2015/2016 for both the Family Justice Courts and the Syariah Court.

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8 Mar 2019

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces amendments to streamline investigative processes by allowing prescribed non-police law enforcement agencies, such as the Central Narcotics Bureau, to investigate offences related to the misuse of video-recorded interviews, enhancing efficiency.
It empowers the police or prosecution to redact sensitive information from disclosed documents to protect public safety, national security, or ongoing investigations, while ensuring the accused’s defence rights through court oversight and closed-door hearings.
The Bill adjusts court procedures for reopening concluded criminal cases by granting flexibility to shorten or extend timelines and expanding authority to relevant court officials, aiming for greater efficiency.
It prohibits backdating Reformative Training sentences for young offenders to ensure they complete rehabilitation programmes, with measures to minimise pre-sentence remand and address potential injustice.
Technical amendments clarify court powers, such as forfeiting bail bonds, and improve definitions and language in the Criminal Procedure Code.

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7 Mar 2019

Fire Hazards Posed by Use of Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles, PMDs and Electric Devices

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked if lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles, PMDs, and other devices should be designated as controlled goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations to address rising fire incidents from charging.
Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that testing should focus on the entire device like PABs and PMDs rather than individual components, as they face harsher conditions, and highlighted existing UL2272 and EN15194 standards enforced by the Land Transport Authority for fire and electrical safety.
Enterprise Singapore oversees product safety for household appliances under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations and conducts post-market testing, while also encouraging consumers to buy from reputable sources and avoid overcharging or tampering with devices.

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7 Mar 2019

UL2272 Fire Safety Standards for All PMDs

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh questioned if the electric bicycles and PMDs involved in the 2018 fires would have met UL2272 standards and what steps LTA is taking to reduce fires before the 2021 implementation.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that LTA introduced EN15194 standards for electric bicycles in 2016 and will require UL2272 certification for motorised PMDs from July 2019, with all such devices needing certification by January 2021.
None of the 22 PAB-related and 52 PMD-related fires in 2018 involved devices certified to EN15194 or UL2272 standards.
LTA encourages PMD owners to switch to UL2272-certified devices, purchase from reputable sources, avoid overcharging batteries, and not modify devices, as advised in the Safe Riding Programme.

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6 Mar 2019

Employers Prosecuted for Failure to Report Work-related Injuries

Mr. Louis Ng asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of employers prosecuted for failing to report work-related injuries and the penalties imposed over the past five years.
Mrs. Josephine Teo explained that non-reporting often occurs because employers dispute whether an injury is work-related or were not informed of it, with a focus on education before 2018 and increased enforcement from 2018 onward.
Since 2018, more employers have been taken to task for non-reporting, including 40 composition fine cases and one case in 2016 where a site manager was jailed six months for covering up an accident.

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6 Mar 2019

Neighbours with Behavioural or Mental Health Problems Who Cause Nuisance, Inconvenience or Pose Hazards and Dangers

The Government prioritizes resident safety, with Police intervening in threats to life or property, and offers mediation through grassroots leaders, the Community Mediation Centre, and referrals for mental health support via the Agency for Integrated Care.
For severe cases, Police can apprehend individuals who are a risk to themselves or others and take them for psychiatric assessment, potentially leading to treatment in a psychiatric institution.
Intractable disputes can be addressed through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals, which can order mandatory mediation, counselling, or hearings, and issue Special Directions for compliance, including psychiatric assessment or treatment.
Agencies like HDB, PA, grassroots leaders, and voluntary welfare organisations collaborate with the AIC to find sustainable solutions, with the CDRT able to enforce orders through bonds and court-ordered psychiatric assessments.

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6 Mar 2019

Statistics for Top 10 Scams

The number of reported cases for the top 10 scams in Singapore, including e-commerce, loan, and internet love scams, increased from around 2,600 in 2014 to about 5,800 in 2018.
The Singapore Police Force has enhanced resources by integrating cybercrime investigations under a single command, training all frontline and investigation officers in basic cybercrime, and forming specialized units like the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force and E-Commerce Fraud Enforcement and Coordination Team.
Prevention efforts involve collaboration with stakeholders such as banks, convenience stores, and online platforms to raise awareness, train staff, and implement measures, alongside public education through the Anti-Scam Helpline and scamalert.sg website.
Frontline police officers have basic cybercrime training, with specialized training for those with aptitude, and the police are continuously engaging in ongoing outreach to address staff turnover in partner organizations.
Cybercrime investigations are consolidated under a single command to pool resources across divisions, ensuring a concerted, multi-pronged approach to tackling scams.

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4 Mar 2019

Incorporating Counselling of Victims and Witnesses of Traumatic Events in Psychological Preparedness and Training in Community Emergency Exercises

Joan Pereira asked whether psychological preparedness and training for counselling victims and witnesses of traumatic events could be incorporated into community emergency exercises.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been focusing on community psychological preparedness, especially after terror attacks, through initiatives like the HEART Team, which includes psychologists and mental health practitioners.
MHA and HEART Teams collaborate with the People’s Association to integrate psychological first aid into community emergency exercises, using skills-based role-playing to train grassroots leaders and Community Emergency Response Team members.
Over 1,100 community responders and 350 public service officers have been trained in psychological first aid, and several HEART Team exercises have been conducted as part of Community Crisis Response Exercises.

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