Public safety & law — Topics

14 Jan 2019

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

The bill seeks to regulate businesses and intermediaries dealing in precious stones and metals to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.
It introduces licensing and compliance requirements for persons engaged in regulated dealing, aligning with international standards.
The bill also makes consequential amendments to other existing laws to ensure coherence and effectiveness in enforcement.
It was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Law on behalf of the Minister for Law and read for the first time, with the second reading scheduled for the next sitting.

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14 Jan 2019

Measures to Reduce Incidence of Mass Food Poisoning

The government has taken tough actions against food operators involved in mass poisoning incidents, including licence suspensions, increased penalties, and court prosecution, while also stepping up surveillance with over 2,400 inspections in 2018 and more than 900 additional checks since November.
Measures are being strengthened to improve food safety compliance, such as requiring Food Hygiene Officers to undergo recertification after suspensions, enhancing public access to hygiene records via the myENV app and website, and considering stricter penalties including jail terms for serious first-time offences.
The authorities are leveraging technology, like tablets and mobile solutions for inspectors, and reviewing the regulatory framework, including how outsourced food delivery is managed, to ensure consistent safety standards across the food supply chain.

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14 Jan 2019

Preventing Disruptions at Changi Airport Caused by Drones

The Senior Minister of State for Transport outlined that drones are prohibited within five kilometres of any Singapore airport without a permit, with regular patrols and eight reported incidents near Changi Airport in the past three years, none involving intrusions.
Countermeasures are coordinated with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, but details are classified due to security considerations, with ongoing global monitoring and collaboration to implement additional measures.
In response to supplementary questions, the Minister stated that enforcement agencies are building capabilities to detect, identify, and neutralize rogue drones, including a proposed centralized flight management system for cooperative drones and classified technology to handle uncooperative ones.

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14 Jan 2019

Restraint Policy for Persons in Custody

The Ministry of Home Affairs restrains persons in custody to prevent escape, self-harm, or harm to others, with officers making on-the-spot judgments based on risk.
A new policy exempts persons under 16 or aged 65 and above from restraint during arrest unless suspected of serious crimes or assessed as a risk, though this does not apply to prison escort situations.
Persons with intellectual disabilities are restrained by default if aged 16 to 65, due to the potential for unpredictable non-compliant behavior.

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20 Nov 2018

Suspicious Mails Reported to Police by Postal Services

From 2015 to the first half of 2018, only one report of a suspicious mail stopped by postal services was made to the Police, involving a parcel with foul-smelling liquid in 2016, which was assessed as posing no threat and resulted in no arrests.
Standard operating procedure requires postal services like SingPost to refer suspicious mails to the Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for threat assessment and containment if necessary.
The single reported case was handled by Police and SCDF, who determined no malicious intent, highlighting the existing framework for timely reporting and response to such incidents.

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20 Nov 2018

Proposal to Review Retirement Age for Police Officers

Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked whether there are plans to review the retirement age of 55 for police officers, noting that modern policing requires more experience and knowledge.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that the retirement age for Home Affairs Uniformed Service officers was raised from 50 to 55 five years ago and will be periodically reviewed as general retirement ages increase and Singaporeans live longer.
The Ministry of Home Affairs may offer extensions of service to officers reaching age 55, and for those not re-employed, it has structures to help them find new employment.

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20 Nov 2018

Traffic Signal Countdown Timers at Traffic Junctions

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked if LTA will install traffic signal countdown timers at junctions, citing their use in other countries to improve road safety.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that a 2003 LTA trial at North Bridge Road and Rochor Road found countdown timers did not improve safety and led to motorists accelerating to beat red lights.
He added that overseas trials also showed no significant road safety improvements, so LTA has no plans to install such timers.

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20 Nov 2018

Retailers' Concerns over Existing PMD Stocks that Do Not Meet New Fire Safety Requirement

The Minister outlined that over 80 PMD-related fire incidents since 2016 prompted the LTA to adopt the UL2272 safety standard for sales from July 2019 and for use on public paths from January 2021, with a nine-month transition period for retailers to adjust their stock.
Retailers unable to sell non-compliant devices can re-export them, and the LTA is engaging them to address queries and facilitate UL2272 testing and certification through accredited bodies.
The government is open to considering alternative safety standards beyond UL2272 if they are deemed adequate for reducing fire risks and suitable for Singapore’s context.

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20 Nov 2018

Reasons for Rise in Child Abuse Cases

Child abuse cases investigated by Singapore's Child Protective Service rose from 551 in 2015 to 894 in 2017, with the nature of abuse including physical, sexual, and neglect cases, and most perpetrators being family members.
The reasons for child abuse are complex, often involving caregivers facing difficult circumstances such as stress, financial problems, unemployment, and a history of personal abuse or neglect.
Additional factors contributing to abuse include caregivers battling drug addictions, mental health issues, or having trouble with the law, which directly impact children in the family.

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20 Nov 2018

Arson Linked to Illegal Moneylending

Ang Wei Neng asked for statistics on arson cases linked to illegal moneylending over the past five years and the first eight months of this year, including solved cases and suggestions to increase punishments.
K Shanmugam reported a steady decline in such cases, with about 170 from 2013 to 2017 and 13 in the first eight months of this year, and noted that police have solved about 80% of cases overall, including all nine from January to July 2018.
The Minister stated that penalties for these crimes are already adequate, with offenders facing imprisonment, caning, and fines, and emphasized that no plans are in place to increase punishments, while police continue to use strategies like enforcement and public education to combat illegal moneylending.

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20 Nov 2018

Developers (Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Bill

The Developers (Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Bill amends existing housing and commercial property Acts to require developers to conduct customer due diligence, report suspicious transactions, and bar individuals convicted of money laundering or terrorism financing offences from developer activities.
The Ministry explained that the measures adopt a calibrated risk-based approach, allow reliance on third parties like banks for checks, and are designed to comply with international FATF standards without imposing excessive burdens on developers or increasing costs for genuine buyers.
Members of Parliament raised concerns about the practical implementation, potential costs, and the scope of responsibilities, with the Minister assuring that detailed rules will be developed in consultation with the industry and that support will be provided to help developers comply.

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20 Nov 2018

Civil Defence and Other Matters Bill

The Bill amends the Civil Defence Act to give SCDF officers explicit statutory powers and legal protection for day-to-day rescue and emergency medical operations, allowing them to enter premises, remove obstacles, and access patient biometric data for urgent care while acting in good faith.
It requires building owners to comply with directions to install and maintain public warning system devices, with penalties for non-compliance, to ensure an effective emergency alert network.
The Bill strengthens SCDF's internal processes by allowing voluntary service extensions for national servicemen, creating new service offences for non-compliance with medical orders, and establishing an appeal mechanism for disciplinary trials.

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20 Nov 2018

Introduction of Licensed Public PMD-sharing Services in 2019

The Government will introduce licensed public PMD-sharing services in January 2019, starting with small-scale sandbox operations to assess risks like fire safety and liability insurance before expanding.
The Senior Minister of State emphasized that PMDs provide convenient transport but require strict regulation, including e-scooter registration, public education, and infrastructure improvements to enhance safety.
Dennis Tan expressed concerns that hirers might be less responsible than owners, questioning how the Ministry will educate new users and ensure service providers enforce safe usage, while seeking details on the sandbox size.

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20 Nov 2018

Online Falsehoods in Recent News Reports Alleging Singapore's Involvement in 1MDB Deals

The Ministry of Law rebutted false online reports alleging Singapore's involvement in 1MDB money laundering, detailing Singapore's extensive investigations, penalties on banks, asset seizures, and cooperation with Malaysia.
The government took action against the false article by filing a police report, requesting its removal, and blocking the website, while criticizing Facebook for not removing the post despite its falsity and public interest concerns.
Officials emphasized the need for legislative powers to combat deliberate online falsehoods, as social media platforms like Facebook have been ineffective in curbing such content.

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19 Nov 2018

Riot at Singapore Boys' Home

Miss Cheng Li Hui raised concerns about the riot at the Singapore Boys' Home, seeking details on measures to prevent such incidents, procedures during disturbances, and the number of disturbances in the past five years.
Desmond Lee emphasized close coordination between MSF and MHA, highlighting three incidents of mass disturbance requiring police activation in the last five years and ongoing efforts to strengthen protocols through learning from past events.
MSF staff are trained in early prevention, youth management plans, and de-escalation protocols, with SPF activation as a standard response to ensure safety during disturbances.
Post-incident reviews are conducted to improve management and rehabilitation approaches, with SPF investigations initiated where necessary.

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19 Nov 2018

Foreign Domestic Workers Borrowing from Legal and Illegal Moneylenders

The Minister reported a sharp increase in foreign domestic workers borrowing from licensed moneylenders, from 1,500 in 2016 to 28,000 in the first half of 2018, alongside a rise in harassment reports from unlicensed moneylenders from 2013 to 2018.
The Ministry of Law announced new measures to protect borrowers, including aggregate loan caps for all foreigners in Singapore and a self-exclusion framework to help individuals control their borrowing habits.
The Ministry of Manpower will impose administrative actions, including work pass revocation and repatriation, against work pass holders found borrowing from unlicensed moneylenders, to be implemented in 2019 after an education period.
Enhanced borrower protections for licensed moneylenders include caps on fees and interest rates, as well as prohibitions on abusive practices like rolling over loans or split loans to charge extra fees.
Government agencies will continue to monitor the situation, collaborate on enforcement, and provide support through voluntary welfare organisations and migrant worker centres.

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19 Nov 2018

Financial Crimes Targeting the Elderly

Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Home Affairs about measures to reduce and prevent financial crimes targeting the elderly, prompting a response from K Shanmugam.
K Shanmugam highlighted that offenders face severe punishments, including jail terms of up to 10 years and fines, and noted that the government is considering strengthening laws against cheating based on recommendations from the Penal Code Review Committee.
The Police are educating the elderly through community efforts like the Silver Watch Group, working with Residents' Committees, and using events such as block parties and CSSPs to disseminate scam alerts.
Collaborations with banks and remittance centres help identify potential victims and advise caution, while anti-scam advisories are placed near ATMs and AXS machines, with a helpline and website for scam-related advice.

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19 Nov 2018

Traffic Violations by Heavy Vehicle Drivers

The most common violations by heavy vehicle drivers are speeding and red-light running, with violations increasing by an annualised rate of 6.7% from 2013 to 2017.
The Traffic Police conducts road safety talks and dialogues with heavy vehicle owners and drivers, sharing causes of accidents and promoting good road safety practices.
Drivers are encouraged to refresh their skills through government-supported training programmes, with safety tips posted on the Traffic Police’s online portal.
Technological solutions like devices alerting to risky driving behaviour are being tested with partners, and effective solutions may be promoted for wider adoption.
The Ministry aims to reduce violations through education, skills upgrading, and technological innovation, given the potential for heavy vehicles to cause greater damage and loss of life.

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19 Nov 2018

Measures to Prevent Traffic Accidents at Causeway

There were nine traffic accidents on the Causeway within Singapore's jurisdiction since the start of the year, with eight involving motorcycles and one involving a motorcycle, lorry, and trailer.
The Traffic Police have placed signs at checkpoints to remind motorists to follow traffic laws and work with immigration authorities to manage traffic flow, especially during peak periods.
The Land Transport Authority has implemented safety infrastructure like demarcated lanes and arrow markings on the Causeway and Second Link.
Authorities will continue monitoring the situation and consider additional road safety measures if needed.

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19 Nov 2018

Extra Checks on Reliability of Vehicles Selected for Use as Public Transport

Ang Hin Kee inquired about LTA's extra checks on the reliability of vehicles for public transport, including taxis and private hire vehicles, beyond emission standards, and specifically regarding a recent car recall.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that LTA enforces a robust type approval regime for new vehicle types to meet international safety standards before road use.
All in-use vehicles undergo regular and ad-hoc inspections at LTA-authorised centres covering components like brakes, steering, and tyres, with non-compliant vehicles barred from roads.
Taxis and buses face stricter requirements, such as new vehicle registration only for taxis, stringent safety standards for buses, and more frequent inspections with statutory lifespans.
LTA mandates prompt notification and rectification of recalled vehicles by dealers and importers, with offences for non-compliance, and offers an electronic system for owners to check recall status.

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