Public safety & law — Topics

11 Feb 2019

Regulations Governing Online Sale of Teeth Whitening Products

Melvin Yong inquired about the safety and regulation of online teeth whitening products, to which Health Minister Gan Kim Yong responded that such products are regulated as cosmetics under the Health Products (Cosmetic Products – ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations, with hydrogen peroxide limited to 0.1% for consumer sale and higher concentrations reserved for dentists.
The Health Sciences Authority monitors product safety, conducts regular checks including online, and can require removal of unsafe listings, with violators facing fines up to $50,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both.
Consumers are advised to buy from reliable suppliers and consult dentists for products exceeding 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, as misuse may damage teeth and gums.

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11 Feb 2019

Speeding Vehicles at Night along Stretch of Upper Bukit Timah Road outside Springdale and Southaven I & II Condominiums

Between 2017 and 2018, there were 14 complaints about speeding on Upper Bukit Timah Road, but none specifically mentioned the stretch outside Springdale and Southaven I & II condominiums, with only one of the 15 accidents in the area linked to speeding.
The Land Transport Authority will install red-amber-green arrow lights at junctions along the road by the end of the year to improve safety during right turns and U-turns.
Traffic Police will continue regular enforcement operations and have installed prominent speed limit signage, with consideration for future speed camera installation if needed.

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11 Feb 2019

Number of Drivers Aged between 18 and 21 and Probationary Drivers Arrested for Drink Driving in Past Five Years

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the number of drivers aged 18 to 21 and probationary drivers arrested for drink driving over the past five years.
K Shanmugam responded that from 2014 to 2018, an average of about 17 motorists aged 18 to 21 were arrested annually for drink driving.
The corresponding average for motorists with probationary licences was about 111 arrests per year over the same period.
Detailed statistics were provided in a table following the response.
The exchange highlights concerns about drink driving among young and probationary drivers in Singapore.

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11 Feb 2019

Theft of Bicycles in Last Three Years

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah raised questions about bicycle theft statistics over the last three years, the uptake of the Bicycle Security Label initiative, and whether the scheme is still active.
Minister K Shanmugam reported a downward trend in bicycle thefts, with cases falling from about 1,100–1,200 annually between 2011–2015 to 522 in 2018, a decline of over 57% since 2015.
The Bicycle Security Label scheme, launched in 2011 and issuing around 150,000 labels, was discontinued in 2017 due to limited effectiveness, as labels were easily tampered with and more effective methods like CCTV and secure locks were adopted.
Police have shifted resources to public awareness, securing bicycle parking areas with CCTV, and expanding police camera coverage, which have contributed to the significant drop in bicycle thefts.

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11 Feb 2019

Community Housing Solutions for Just-released Prisoners

Saktiandi Supaat asked about the number of released prisoners with homes, solutions for those without, and inter-ministry coordination on interim housing.
K Shanmugam stated that most released inmates have homes to return to, with about 3% (850) referred to halfway houses or shelters via the Family Resource Centre.
The Ministry of Home Affairs works with Singapore Prison Service to coordinate interim housing through referrals, with the Family Resource Centre facilitating these arrangements.

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11 Feb 2019

Prevalence of Road Accidents at Newton Circus and Adjoining Lanes

Between 2016 and 2018, the Traffic Police recorded an average of nine road accidents per year at Newton Circus and its adjoining lanes.
The Land Transport Authority is implementing safety improvements such as new pedestrian crossings, U-turn facilities to reduce roundabout usage, and additional traffic signals for vehicles entering the roundabout.
Authorities will continue monitoring the area, and road users are urged to exercise caution and consideration to help prevent accidents.

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11 Feb 2019

Fires Involving External Industrial Kitchen Exhaust Ducts Installed in HDB Commercial Premises

There were 10 fires involving external kitchen exhaust ducts in HDB commercial premises from 2016 to 2018.
Operators must comply with NEA and SCDF regulations for cleaning and maintenance, with inspections and enforcement actions for non-compliance.
HDB issues annual advisories and requires maintenance records at tenancy renewal or property transfer, withholding processing if records are not provided.
No cases of withheld lease transfers or tenancy renewals have occurred so far due to compliance with maintenance record requirements.
HDB has not taken direct enforcement action against property owners in the last three years, as compliance is managed through NEA and SCDF.

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11 Feb 2019

Complaints Regarding Use of Images without Permission on Social Media Platforms

Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked about complaints over unauthorized use of images on social media and potential new laws to protect women's modesty, citing the SgJCBabes account.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that police do not track such complaints as the unauthorized use of images alone is not a criminal offense, but it may violate Penal Code Section 509 if it insults a woman's modesty.
Victims can apply for a Protection Order under the Protection from Harassment Act to have images removed or seek redress via a Magistrate's Complaint if no criminal offense is found.

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11 Feb 2019

Percentage of Singapore Prison Officers Offered Re-employment

About 20% of retired Singapore Prison Officers were re-employed over the last five years, with contracts lasting one to three years and renewable based on organisational needs.
Officers not re-employed by Prisons receive support from the Home Team Career Transition Office, including job advisory, time-off for training, and subsidies to enhance employability for second careers.
From April 2019, re-employed officers under the Home Affairs Uniformed Scheme are paid their last drawn salary if in the same level role, while those in civilian or smaller roles have adjusted pay.
Re-employed officers remain eligible for performance bonuses, annual increments, and benefits such as vacation leave, medical care, and training, consistent with Public Service guidelines.

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11 Feb 2019

National Service – Balancing Operational Readiness, Safety and the Will to Fight

Pritam Singh argued that while training safety is critical, the goal of "zero training deaths" is unrealistic given the inherent risks of military training, and he proposed measures such as extending commanders' retirement ages, prioritizing core training duties, and revising the Government Proceedings Act to allow lawsuits for willful disregard of safety.
Dr. Ng Eng Hen acknowledged the difficulty of achieving zero fatalities but emphasized that the goal is essential for morale, operational effectiveness, and deterrence, noting that accountability for negligence is already enforced through criminal prosecution, not civil suits.
Both speakers agreed that National Service and a ready Singapore Armed Forces are vital for national defense, and that balancing safety with operational readiness is crucial to maintain public confidence and the will to fight.

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11 Feb 2019

Precious Stones and Precious Metals (Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Bill

The Bill establishes a comprehensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime for the precious stones and metals sector, introducing registration, customer due diligence, record-keeping, and reporting requirements to align with international standards.
It addresses gaps identified by the Financial Action Task Force by regulating dealers, intermediaries, and transactions involving asset-backed tokens, while providing a risk-based approach and exemptions for entities already under other regulatory regimes.
The government engaged industry stakeholders in consultations and plans to provide guidance, outreach, and support to help regulated dealers comply, including a transition period and measures to manage compliance costs and protect customer data.

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11 Feb 2019

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill

The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill was introduced by Senior Minister of State for Law Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai on behalf of the Minister for Law.
The bill aims to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 68 of the 2012 Revised Edition).
The bill was read for the first time and will undergo a second reading after the conclusion of the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2019/2020 financial year.
The proceedings followed standard parliamentary procedure for legislative amendments.
The bill's objective is to update and refine the criminal legal procedures in Singapore.

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11 Feb 2019

Criminal Law Reform Bill

The bill aims to update the Penal Code and related laws to address technological changes, emerging crime trends, and enhance protections for minors and vulnerable victims.
It seeks to harmonize criminal laws and modernize the sentencing framework to reflect current societal standards.
The bill was introduced by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Home Affairs and is scheduled for a second reading after May 1, 2019.

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11 Feb 2019

National Service Training Deaths and Safety Enhancements for the SAF

The Minister for Defence outlined the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two national servicemen—CFC(NS) Aloysius Pang and CFC Liu Kai—detailing the ongoing independent Committee of Inquiry investigations and the immediate safety enhancements being implemented, such as additional emergency horns and rear-view cameras for Bionix vehicles.
The Singapore Armed Forces is establishing a higher-level Inspector-General Office to strengthen safety culture, enforce compliance, and hold commanders accountable for safety lapses, even in the absence of accidents.
The Minister emphasised that while military training carries inherent risks, the SAF is committed to achieving zero training fatalities through systemic reforms, better equipment, and a culture where any serviceman can halt unsafe activities without fear of reprisal.

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11 Feb 2019

Reported Cases of Child and Elder Abuse in Last Five Years

In the last five years, the Ministry of Social and Family Development investigated an average of about 600 child abuse cases and 78 elder abuse cases annually, with physical abuse and neglect being the most common types and most perpetrators being family members.
The recovery process for victims has been described as challenging but generally positive, with the ministry engaging victims, perpetrators, and carers to help families move forward, and public awareness campaigns like "Break The Silence" having significant reach and impact.
The trend of reported cases has increased over the past three years, attributed to greater awareness and improved identification of abuse, while the ministry continues to work with families and community partners to prevent and address abuse.

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11 Feb 2019

Proposal for Mandatory Child-proof Pool Fences at Private Swimming Pools

Ms Irene Quay questioned the need for mandatory child-proof pool fences in private swimming pools, citing rising near-drowning cases and child deaths, and asked about current safety measures.
The Minister of State responded that existing guidelines focus on pool design, warning signs, and adult supervision, with water safety education provided through programs like SwimSafer 2.0.
Ms Quay pressed for a review of mandatory fences, while the Minister emphasized that adult supervision is the most effective safety measure and noted that mandating barriers could be onerous and difficult to enforce.

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11 Feb 2019

MINDEF's Follow-up Actions and Plans in Aftermath of Latest Training Incident in New Zealand

Multiple MPs raised urgent concerns about safety protocols, training reviews, and accountability following recent SAF training deaths, especially the incident involving Corporal Aloysius Pang, asking about safety timeouts, manual updates, external audits, and psychosocial support.
Specific questions focused on the adequacy of refresher training for reservists, the rigor of safety checklists for high-risk operations, the design and procedures of the Primus Howitzer involved in the Pang incident, and the balance between realistic training and safety.
The Ministry of Defence was asked to detail its investigative findings, systemic changes, and measures to rebuild confidence, including memorialization for fallen servicemen and initiatives to promote a stronger safety culture and speaking-up without fear of insubordination.

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15 Jan 2019

Need for White-collar and Cybercrime Investigators in Singapore Police Force

Mr Murali Pillai questioned the need to hire more white-collar and cybercrime investigators in the Singapore Police Force to manage a heavier workload.
The Minister for Home Affairs stated that the force is monitoring the workload and will adjust resources as needed.
The Police have enhanced capacity through better organization, specialized training for officers, and the use of advanced technology.
The force also works closely with the community on crime prevention education campaigns.

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15 Jan 2019

Training and Supervision Standards for Private Security Companies

Private security companies must ensure their officers are trained in accordance with the Progressive Wage Model, which is part of their licensing conditions, and failure to comply is an offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
Security agencies undergo an annual grading exercise where inadequate training or regulatory offences can lower their score, and two consecutive unsatisfactory grades will result in licence non-renewal.
Companies can be held accountable if they contribute to their officers’ errant behaviour, in addition to facing penalties for non-compliance with training and supervision requirements.

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15 Jan 2019

Recent Accidents and Enhancing Road Safety on West Coast Road at Section between Penjuru Road and Jurong Town Hall Road

Between 2016 and 2018, 12 accidents were recorded on the specified stretch of West Coast Road, with current safety measures including integrated pedestrian crossings, countdown timers, road markings, double white lines with reflective markers, and safety bollards at bus stops.
The Land Transport Authority is studying additional traffic calming measures like centre dividers and bus-friendly humps to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian safety.
Authorities will continue monitoring the area, and all road users are urged to exercise caution and consideration to prevent accidents.

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