Public safety & law — Topics

1 Aug 2017

Instructions on Safe Use of Personal Mobility Devices

Dennis Tan inquired how the Ministry of Manpower ensures employers instruct, monitor, and insure employees using bicycles or PMDs for work, covering safety rules, compliance systems, and insurance for injuries or third-party claims.
Lim Swee Say responded that the Workplace Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide safety measures, training, and supervision for PMD users, with guidelines from the WSH Council and upcoming new guidelines in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority.
The Ministry inspects high-risk companies like food delivery services, issuing notices for non-compliance, and employees injured at work are covered under the Work Injury Compensation Act, with investigations for third-party claims.

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1 Aug 2017

Proportion of "999" Calls that were Emergencies and Required Police Intervention

The Police received an average of about 1.3 million "999" calls annually from 2014 to 2016, with roughly 40% requiring direct intervention.
Non-emergency calls included nuisance or misdirected reports on issues like municipal matters, which the Police redirect to appropriate agencies while educating the public on proper hotline use.
Nuisance and misdirected calls can delay response to genuine emergencies and waste resources, leading to prosecution of repeat offenders in some cases.
The Police are continuing efforts to reduce such calls through public education and outreach.

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1 Aug 2017

Preparedness of Our Population for Emergency

A 2015 National Security Awareness Survey showed most residents are aware of emergency scenarios and trust the government’s preparedness, though they feel less prepared as individuals and would be more ready if they had prior experience with similar crises.
The survey also indicated that over half of residents have a first-aid kit at home, awareness of emergency responses is increasing, and there is strong belief in national unity and willingness to help during emergencies.
The government is enhancing preparedness through initiatives like the SGSecure movement, revised Emergency Preparedness Days, and community and business exercises to build skills and resilience against threats such as terrorism.

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1 Aug 2017

Protection of Public Hospitals against Security Threats

Public hospitals have comprehensive security measures, including preventive operations, contingency plans, and regular assessments and training involving the Home Team.
Hospitals are resourced for immediate onsite response to security incidents and work closely with police and emergency services through schemes like Project Guardian and regular patrols.
The Ministry continues to collaborate with the Home Team to enhance security preparedness, including deploying additional forces during heightened alert periods.

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1 Aug 2017

Enforcement Actions against Illegal Sale of Contraband Cigarettes

From 2012 to 2016, about 400 contraband cigarette peddlers were caught annually in Singapore, with 80% charged in court; the total number of offenders including smugglers and buyers fell by 29% over this period.
Enhanced penalties introduced in 2012 include a minimum court fine of $2,000 for first-time offenders, a maximum fine of 20 times the evaded taxes, and mandatory imprisonment for repeat offenders with over 2kg of contraband tobacco.
Authorities stated that existing penalties have been effective in deterring illegal sales, and enforcement agencies will continue collaborative efforts and public awareness campaigns to curb contraband cigarette activity.

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1 Aug 2017

Raising Maximum Penalty for Unattended Bags at MRT Stations

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned whether the current $1,000 maximum penalty for leaving unattended bags at MRT stations is sufficient to deter such incidents, given their potential to disrupt operations and affect commuters.
K Shanmugam highlighted that a recent unattended bag at Hougang MRT led to a temporary station closure and inconvenience, with the individual fined $1,000 for public nuisance.
The government is reviewing whether to enhance penalties for such offences to better deter future occurrences.
Police will continue to take all security-related reports seriously due to ongoing terrorism threats.
The public is advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

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1 Aug 2017

Government Investigation of Encrypted Instant Messaging Apps

Seah Kian Peng inquired whether the Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating encrypted apps like Telegram due to their use by terrorists.
K Shanmugam confirmed that terrorist groups use such apps for recruitment and operational planning, a challenge faced globally.
He stated that the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and emphasized the critical role of families and communities in alerting authorities to signs of radicalization.

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1 Aug 2017

Rejection of Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence Applications

Multiple MPs asked the Minister for Transport about the criteria and numbers for rejecting Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence applications, including for applicants with past convictions.
The Minister explained that about 47,000 applications were received with around 1,600 rejected, primarily for failing background checks, driving experience requirements, or due to poor driving records.
For ex-offenders, LTA bars applicants with serious offences like rape or murder for life, while less serious offences lead to temporary bans, and non-threatening offences may not bar eligibility.
Appeals are considered case-by-case, with 9 out of 35 accepted so far, and a similar approach is used for taxi and bus drivers, where 1,500 licences were granted to those with criminal records in three years.
The overall policy aims to balance reintegration of ex-offenders with passenger safety and security, and all vocational licences require clean background checks and good driving records.

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1 Aug 2017

Review of Liabilities and Penalties under Workplace Safety and Health Act

The Ministry of Manpower is conducting a third review of the Workplace Safety and Health Act to update liabilities and penalties, with completion expected by the end of the year.
The strategic direction focuses on creating industry-wide awareness, enhancing training for workers and management, maintaining sustained enforcement, and considering stiffer penalties where necessary.
The review aims to strengthen tripartite ownership, facilitate public release of incident learning reports to prevent recurrence, and evaluate increasing maximum penalties for serious offences.

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1 Aug 2017

Debar Blacklisted Construction Companies from Projects

Desmond Choo asked for a review of the blacklisting framework, coordination with BCA to debar blacklisted companies from projects, and proof of remedial steps before removal from the blacklist.
The Minister of State explained the existing Demerit Point System and BUS programme, detailing how companies are blacklisted for accumulating demerit points or placed under BUS for serious safety lapses, with exit requiring demonstrated safety improvements.
The Minister highlighted enhanced enforcement and coordination with agencies like BCA, noting a reduction in fatalities, and confirmed that records follow individuals to prevent evasion through new companies.

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1 Aug 2017

Causes for Expressway Viaduct Collapse and Workplace Safety

The viaduct collapse near PIE-TPE was preliminarily attributed to the failure of corbels supporting the deck slab, with a full investigation by LTA, MOM, and BCA expected to conclude by October.
LTA’s procurement uses a price-quality method (e.g., 70:30 for this project), where safety records form at least 25% of the quality score; contractors with serious lapses can be disqualified, and 16 bids from 10 companies have been vetoed since 2015.
The main contractor OKP was awarded the project despite a prior fatality in 2015, as investigations were ongoing and it scored highest overall after factoring in its safety history, project track record, and bid price, though LTA acknowledged the need to weigh recent incidents more heavily in future evaluations.

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1 Aug 2017

SAF's Anti-terror Operations

The Minister for Defence highlighted the heightened terrorism threat in Singapore and the region, detailing SAF's overseas deployments to counter extremist groups, its regional cooperation through maritime patrols and assistance to the Philippines, and domestic upgrades including new training institutes and equipment for counter-terrorism.
In response to queries, the Minister emphasized the importance of joint exercises and integrated planning between the SAF and Home Team, noting they share a common command system and regularly conduct exercises to ensure coordinated responses to attacks.
It was noted that Singapore's assistance to the Philippines is based on bilateral ties and specific requests, with other countries like the US and China also contributing to regional efforts against ISIS elements.
The Minister explained how Singapore leverages its National Serviceman population by training them for homeland security operations at the new Island Defence Training Institute and fostering community preparedness through emergency exercises to respond to attacks at the precinct level.

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4 Jul 2017

Comprehensive Background Checks and Screening of Auxiliary Police Officers

The Minister confirmed that all Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) undergo screening by the police, which includes checks on criminal records, though specific details are not disclosed for operational security reasons.
Auxiliary Police Forces set stringent selection criteria, including minimum education and physical fitness, and conduct interviews to assess aptitude and temperament during recruitment.
Ongoing screening and performance assessments are conducted during employment, but it is not always possible to detect errant behavior, requiring vigilance from relatives, colleagues, and the community.

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4 Jul 2017

Child Booster Seats in Private Hire Cars

Miss Cheryl Chan asked about the adequacy of child booster seats for children under six in private hire cars and whether the rules differ between private and private hire vehicles.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that traffic police require any passenger under 1.35 meters to use a child restraint suitable for their height and weight, noting that booster seats may not be sufficient for very young children, who may need baby seats.
He clarified that the rule applies equally to both private cars and private hire cars.
The use of appropriate child restraints is emphasized to reduce serious or fatal injuries in accidents.

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4 Jul 2017

Emergency Preparedness Courses in Schools

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed making emergency preparedness and basic first aid, including CPR and AED certification, mandatory for secondary school students.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Education are collaborating under the SGSecure movement, with the DARE programme piloted in 15 secondary schools to teach CPR and AED use.
Following a successful pilot, CPR and AED training will be taught to all Secondary 1 students as part of the PE curriculum starting in the fourth quarter of this year.
Primary 5 and 6 students already learn emergency preparedness, including first aid for minor injuries and basic fire safety, as part of their curriculum.
Schools also conduct drills and exercises to equip students with general emergency preparedness skills.

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4 Jul 2017

Harsher Penalties for Causing Public Nuisance and Victimising Vulnerable Persons

Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed harsher penalties for public nuisance and specifically for victimizing vulnerable persons, while also suggesting higher fines and community service as part of punishment.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that public nuisance offenses currently have a maximum $1,000 fine, but more serious acts like causing hurt or using criminal force are already dealt with under the Penal Code with harsher punishments.
The Minister noted that courts already consider vulnerability of victims like children and the elderly during sentencing, and community orders are already used where appropriate.
The Minister concluded that there is no need to review penalties for public nuisance, as existing laws and judicial discretion provide adequate tools to address serious cases.

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4 Jul 2017

Counter-terrorism Training for Event Organisers

Ang Hin Kee proposed compulsory counter-terrorism training for event organisers, emcees, and hosts, and required them to share evacuation routes at the start of large events.
K Shanmugam responded that event organisers already engage trained security professionals, and the Ministry has supported seminars and collaborations to raise awareness among event companies and freelancers.
The Police work with organisers under the amended Public Order Act, which mandates security measures for high-risk events and will issue guidelines on best practices.
For large designated events, organisers must inform participants about evacuation routes where practicable, and the public is encouraged to stay alert through the SGSecure movement.

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4 Jul 2017

Protection and Rehabilitation of Women of Domestic Abuse

The Ministry for Social and Family Development collaborates with agencies like the Police, Prisons, Courts, and NGOs through the National Family Violence Networking System to protect victims of domestic abuse.
Victims can access support services including counselling, therapy, safety planning, temporary shelter, financial or housing assistance, and legal protection orders.
A public campaign, "Break the Silence | Against Family Violence," was launched to raise awareness and empower bystanders to safely intervene.
Rehabilitation efforts aim to help victims re-integrate into society, school, and work through coordinated community and NGO support.
Domestic violence is treated as a public issue, with all community members encouraged to report abuse and assist affected individuals.

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4 Jul 2017

Information on Public Sector Corruption Cases in 2016

In 2016, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau registered 118 cases for investigation, with 15% from the public sector, and the total bribe amount for prosecuted public servants was $24,800.
Of the 92 cases carried forward from 2015, 13 took more than two years to investigate, and the breakdown of cases alerted by internal staff was three and by external sources was one.
Out of 18 public sector cases investigated, four were prosecuted in court while the rest received warnings or departmental actions, with decisions based on evidence strength, case severity, and complexity.

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4 Jul 2017

Measures to Minimise Radicalisation in Our Community

The government is reviewing and implementing enhanced security measures, such as bollards and updated guidelines, to protect public spaces and critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks while balancing practicality and cost.
Efforts to counter radicalisation focus on schools and foreign workers, with curriculum changes, community engagement, and repatriation of radicalised individuals, while emphasizing the role of families, religious leaders, and community networks in prevention.
SGSecure initiatives and community exercises are being strengthened to improve public vigilance and unity, with plans to increase outreach and preparedness in response to evolving threats like lone-wolf attacks.

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