Public safety & law — Topics

6 Aug 2018

Inspection Regime for HDB Facades

Joan Pereira asked whether interim inspections could be conducted on HDB facades using the same installation methods as those that had previously failed and whether the mandatory facade inspection regime could be extended to newly built BTO flats.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB ensures all buildings comply with approved codes and regulations, with inspections during construction and maintenance responsibilities falling to Town Councils under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.
The Periodic Facade Inspection regime focuses on buildings over 20 years old and uses a risk-based approach to balance safety and cost, excluding low-rise and private buildings.
In the event of facade dislodgement, BCA and HDB would independently investigate and check similar HDB blocks regardless of building age to address safety concerns.

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6 Aug 2018

Safeguarding Records and Personal Particulars against Cyberattacks

Zainal Sapari raised concerns about the consequences for individuals whose data was stolen in the SingHealth cyberattack and asked about precautions to prevent misuse, especially on the dark web.
Murali Pillai inquired about the implementation timeline for Cybersecurity Act provisions requiring owners of critical information infrastructure to report incidents promptly.
Minister S Iswaran referred both questions to his earlier ministerial statement from 6 August 2018, which detailed the government's response to the SingHealth cyberattack.

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6 Aug 2018

Reported Cases of Investment Scams Targeting Members of Public

Mr Ong Teng Koon asked about trends in reported investment scams, prosecution rates, and potential tougher penalties over the past three years.
Minister K Shanmugam reported that reported investment scams doubled from about 200 to over 400 cases annually from 2015 to 2017, largely due to unregulated online platforms operated from overseas.
Only 30 persons were charged for 14 scams since 2015, as many scams involve overseas syndicates or assets, making prosecution difficult.
Convicted scammers face up to 10 years' imprisonment, and ministries are reviewing whether to strengthen fraud laws amid ongoing Penal Code reviews.
Police will continue collaborating with foreign counterparts to tackle overseas syndicates targeting Singaporeans.

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6 Aug 2018

Investigations into Chairman and Management of Swiber Holdings and Related Companies

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked whether the Commercial Affairs Department has completed its investigation into Swiber Holdings' chairman and management and if charges will be filed under the Securities and Futures Act.
K Shanmugam responded that police investigations into Swiber Holdings and its subsidiaries are ongoing and require careful review of a large volume of documents.
He stated it is inappropriate to comment further to avoid prejudicing the investigation.

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6 Aug 2018

Expunging Police Reports Made by Private Parties against Other Private Parties but Not Pursued

Kok Heng Leun asked whether private police reports are closed or expunged when investigations do not follow, how long before such closure, and if unproven allegations are firewalled from immigration decisions.
K Shanmugam stated that police reports are reviewed and retained for potential future reference, and that investigations proceed only if warranted by the assessment.
He clarified that immigration and work pass applications are assessed on individual merits, including any criminal or security antecedents, with no absolute right for foreigners to receive passes.
If a foreigner is under investigation for an offense, their pass application may be held pending conclusion of the investigation, as such factors are relevant to the assessment.
The response implies that unproven allegations alone do not automatically block pass decisions, but ongoing investigations can affect eligibility.

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6 Aug 2018

Number of Deaths from Alcohol-related Violence and Traffic Accidents in Last 10 Years

Kok Heng Leun asked for the number of deaths from alcohol-related violence and traffic accidents over the past 10 years.
K Shanmugam stated there were 10 deaths from alcohol-related violence and an average of 16 deaths annually from drink-driving accidents.
Drink-driving deaths decreased from 22 in 2009 to 14 in 2017.
The Police will continue strict enforcement against alcohol-related offences.

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6 Aug 2018

Fines on SMRT for Fatal Accident in March 2016 and Tunnel Flooding in October 2017

The Land Transport Authority announced a total of $1.9 million in financial penalties on SMRT for the March 2016 fatal accident near Pasir Ris MRT station and the October 2017 tunnel flooding between Bishan and Braddell MRT stations.
SMRT has apologized and accepted responsibility for both incidents, but the Minister for Transport declined to comment on investigation details and lessons learned due to an ongoing statutory appeal process.
The debate focused on the need for SMRT to implement measures to prevent future incidents, though specific corrective actions were not disclosed in the current response.

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6 Aug 2018

Access to and Security of Data from Street Lighting Cameras Using Facial Recognition Technology

Leon Perera questioned the Prime Minister about measures for security and privacy protection and which agencies and personnel would have access to data from street lighting cameras using facial recognition technology.
The Prime Minister responded that the Smart Nation Sensor Platform is testing and deploying sensors, including cameras on street lamps that support facial recognition for security investigations, similar to existing public place cameras.
Security and privacy are ensured through industry best practices like access controls, encryption, and identity hashing to prevent re-identification, with data access limited to public officers needing it for operational duties.
The Public Sector Governance Act clarifies data sharing rules, agency responsibilities, and criminalizes data misuse across government agencies.

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6 Aug 2018

Bicycles with Long Handlebars Not Allowed on Footpaths

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned if owners of bicycles with handlebars longer than 700 mm are informed they cannot use them on footpaths and if they can change the handlebars without immediate impoundment.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the 700 mm width limit was set after public consultation in 2015 to ensure safe passage on narrow footpaths and has been publicised by the Land Transport Authority since 2016 through various channels.
Using non-compliant bicycles on public paths is an offence, with penalties including fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to three months, or both, and such bicycles may be seized.

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6 Aug 2018

Drug Rehabilitation Centre’s Assistance for Inmates to Stop Addiction and Cultivate Healthy Pursuits

The Enhanced Drug Rehabilitation Regime (EDRR) introduced in 2014 assesses inmates' risk levels and provides tailored psychology-based programmes to address underlying attitudes and beliefs behind drug abuse, with lower-risk inmates learning relapse prevention skills and high-risk inmates undergoing intensive counselling for issues like criminal thinking.
The Singapore Prison Service offers meaningful activities such as basketball clinics, urban farming, family programmes, skills training, and religious counselling to engage inmates and promote healthy alternatives to drug use.
Community-based programmes complement in-centre rehabilitation by allowing inmates to serve the tail-end of their detention under structured supervision, supporting reintegration into society and working with community partners to strengthen support.
The enhanced regime has led to encouraging results, with the two-year recidivism rate for DRC inmates dropping from 60%-70% in the 1990s to around 30% for the 2015 release cohort, and further enhancements are planned for better outcomes.

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6 Aug 2018

Barring Companies with Safety Lapses from Public Project Tenders for Longer Duration

Dennis Tan asked if contractors with safety lapses or blacklisted by the Ministry of Manpower could be barred from public project tenders for longer to enforce safety standards.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the Standing Committee on Debarment decides on debarment cases, including for safety reasons, with the duration based on severity.
For land transport projects, the Land Transport Authority follows the government-wide debarment framework and also scrutinizes safety records to disqualify bids from contractors with poor performance.

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6 Aug 2018

Addressing Mechanical Failure in Heavy Vehicles Leading to Fatal Accidents

Murali Pillai highlighted tragic accidents caused by mechanical failures in heavy vehicles, such as loose wheels and brake failures, and argued that current laws inadequately hold vehicle owners and operators accountable for preventable failures, proposing stronger criminal liability, mandatory maintenance regimes, and corporate accountability to deter negligence.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport responded that existing frameworks, including LTA's regular vehicle inspections, statutory vehicle lifespans, and penalties under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Penal Code, already address road safety, with less than 5% of fatal heavy vehicle accidents involving mechanical failures, and emphasized an outcome-based approach over prescriptive rules.
The debate concluded with Parliament agreeing to adjourn, acknowledging the need for safety improvements but maintaining the current regulatory approach focused on driver behavior and periodic inspections.

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6 Aug 2018

Transport Safety Investigations Bill

The Transport Safety Investigations Bill establishes the Transport Safety Investigations Bureau (TSIB) as the single authority to conduct independent, no-blame safety investigations into incidents across air, sea, rail, and certain land transport modes to prevent recurrence.
The Bill grants TSIB investigators specific powers, such as accessing sites and detaining vehicles, while limiting the disclosure of restricted information and making TSIB reports inadmissible in court proceedings, except for Coroner’s inquiries, to encourage truthful information sharing.
Parliamentarians supported the Bill but raised concerns about the recovery of investigation costs, the scope of TSIB’s coverage for buses and emerging transport like autonomous vehicles, and ensuring TSIB’s independence from commercial and regulatory pressures.

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6 Aug 2018

Land Transport (Enforcement Measures) Bill

The Land Transport (Enforcement Measures) Bill aims to amend several Acts to enhance enforcement capabilities and measures for better land transport management and regulation.
The bill was introduced by the Senior Minister of State for Transport, Dr Lam Pin Min, on behalf of the Minister for Transport.
The bill was read for the first time in Parliament and is scheduled for a second reading at the next available sitting.
The debate focuses on strengthening legal and operational frameworks to address land transport-related offences and compliance.
The proposed amendments are intended to improve overall regulatory effectiveness and safety in Singapore's land transport system.

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6 Aug 2018

Findings and Follow-up Actions on National Service Training Death

The COI found that CFC Lee’s death resulted from heat stroke, with contributing factors including breaches of safety regulations—such as unauthorized intense training the day before and insufficient rest—and inadequate on-site casualty management and delayed evacuation.
The SAF has implemented immediate measures, including a simplified evacuation protocol for disoriented personnel, enhanced cooling methods, and stricter enforcement of safety rules, to prevent future heat injuries and achieve zero training fatalities.
The Minister emphasized collective responsibility for safety, urging soldiers to speak out about health concerns and commanders to proactively remove at-risk individuals, while awaiting outcomes from police and coroner inquiries before any disciplinary actions.

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6 Aug 2018

Cyberattack on SingHealth's IT System

The Singapore government confirmed a sophisticated cyberattack on SingHealth's IT system, resulting in the theft of personal and medication data for 1.5 million patients, including targeted records of the Prime Minister, with a Committee of Inquiry convened to investigate.
In response, authorities implemented measures like internet surfing separation for public healthcare systems, though this caused operational disruptions, while emphasizing that no financial data was accessed and safeguards like two-factor authentication remain in place.
The government affirmed its commitment to advancing Smart Nation initiatives despite the attack, highlighting ongoing investments in cybersecurity expertise and the need for a balance between digital efficiency and security resilience.

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6 Aug 2018

Common Workplace Accidents and Prevention Measures

Workplace fatalities in the first half of 2018 were slightly higher than the previous year, with common causes including improper work methods, and sectors like construction, manufacturing, and commercial diving being more prevalent.
The Ministry of Manpower has increased enforcement, including inspections and fines, while collaborating with industry associations to raise awareness and address safety lapses, especially in construction where fatalities have declined over five years but remain a concern.
Foreign workers constitute a high proportion of construction fatalities, prompting efforts like multilingual safety materials and outreach programs to educate them on risks and proper procedures.
The WSH2028 Tripartite Strategy Committee is developing new approaches to sustain improvements in workplace safety, with preliminary recommendations to be shared soon.

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6 Aug 2018

Safeguarding Health Data from Cyberattacks

Multiple MPs raised concerns about the SingHealth cyberattack, questioning the integrity of health data, potential infiltration of subversive programs, and whether the breach compromised other government networks.
The debate highlighted demands for immediate rectification measures, improved security protocols, and clarity on how to detect data tampering or alterations in medical records.
MPs also pressed for explanations on the delay in public disclosure of the breach and questioned whether new security measures were affecting public hospital and polyclinic operations.

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6 Aug 2018

Restoring Public Confidence in Smart Nation and Digital Government Initiatives

Multiple MPs raised concerns about the SingHealth cyberattack, questioning how the government will prevent future breaches, protect data, and guide affected individuals, as well as the status of investigations and accountability.
The government was asked about the impact of the attack on Smart Nation and Digital Government initiatives, including project timelines, the 2023 digital government goal, and whether certain plans need review or enhancement.
Key inquiries focused on the composition and terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry, the role of the Cyber Security Agency, and the implications of the Cybersecurity Act for data breaches.
Members sought assurances for businesses using e-Government platforms and clarification on how government staff would be redeployed if projects were paused pending the inquiry.
Questions were also raised about whether the government would bear responsibility for identity crimes resulting from the breach and how many other agencies had faced similar attacks in the past year.

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11 Jul 2018

Resolution of Neighbour Disputes over Cigarette Smoke

Community mediation for neighbour disputes over cigarette smoke is generally voluntary and requires both parties' agreement, though compulsory mediation can be ordered by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) for intractable cases as a last resort.
For cases that do not proceed with mediation, disputes are typically resolved through direct communication, assistance from grassroots or community leaders, or, if unresolved, by filing a case with the CDRT.
The CDRT judge can issue binding court orders, such as requiring parties to take measures to prevent smoke drift, and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions like Special Directions or Exclusion Orders.

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