Public safety & law — Topics

16 Aug 2016

Trend of Child Abuse Cases

In 2015, the Ministry investigated 551 child abuse cases, up from 300-400 in previous years, with about 20 children hospitalised and two fatalities recorded between 2013 and 2015.
The rise in reported cases is attributed to better detection and reporting by professionals like teachers and social workers, as well as expanded criteria for investigations.
The government has strengthened professional training, established clear guidelines, and set up interagency networks to improve detection and early intervention.
Teachers are now trained to alert counsellors or child protective services when students show signs of abuse or distress.
Public education and community outreach efforts continue to encourage everyone to report suspected child abuse.

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16 Aug 2016

Abuse and Harassment of Students in Orientation Programmes

The debate was triggered by reports of sexualised and abusive activities during orientation programmes at the National University of Singapore (NUS), with questions raised about existing regulations, enforcement, and accountability across tertiary institutions.
The Acting Minister outlined that NUS and other universities have rules, vetting processes, and disciplinary measures in place, but acknowledged that breaches still occur when oversight lapses, and very few complaints have been formally reported over the past five years.
NUS suspended student-organised orientation activities after recent incidents, but the Ministry supports orientation as beneficial, emphasising the need to improve safeguards while preserving its value for student bonding and personal growth.

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16 Aug 2016

Assessment of Safety Risks of Defects Found on 26 MRT Trains

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh questioned whether the "non-safety-critical" defects on the 26 MRT trains posed zero risk, why entire car-bodies were being replaced for cracks only on bolsters, and the focus of monthly safety assessments.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan confirmed the hairline cracks do not compromise safety, as the trains maintain a safety margin of three, and independent assessors have confirmed the trains are safe to operate.
The cause was traced to a specific batch of aluminium material used only for the bolsters, and the manufacturer decided to replace the entire car-body as the bolsters are welded to it, requiring shipment to China for repairs.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked about the difference between Japanese and Chinese-made bolsters and if there was a confidence issue with Chinese manufacturing.
The Minister responded that the manufacturer decided to use Japanese bolsters as a replacement, and this was their choice with no further implication, avoiding any diplomatic issue.

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16 Aug 2016

Abuse and Harassment of Students in Orientation Programmes

Members of Parliament asked about regulations, standardization, checks, enforcement, and disciplinary actions regarding sexual harassment and abuse during orientation programmes in tertiary institutions.
Specific inquiries were made about the number of complaints, safeguards, monitoring, resources, and the existence of civil or criminal suits related to recent incidents at the National University of Singapore.
The Acting Minister for Education was not present to answer the questions immediately, leading to the responses being provided in written form at a later stage.

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15 Aug 2016

Measures to Deal with Roadblock Evasions

Desmond Choo inquired about measures to protect police officers and road users during roadblock evasions and whether legislation needs reviewing.
K Shanmugam explained that police use reflective vests, advance signage, and coordinated vehicle deployment to ensure safety during roadblocks.
He noted that police pursuits prioritize public safety with sirens and blinkers, and may be terminated if dangerous.
The Police Force Act was amended to impose heavier penalties, including fines up to $5,000 and jail up to one year, to deter roadblock evasions.

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15 Aug 2016

Status of Review on Need to Repeal Marital Rape Immunity

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the status, timeline, and scope of the review to repeal marital rape immunity, referencing a prior government statement at the Human Rights Council.
K Shanmugam responded that the issue is under active review and an update will be provided once the government’s position is clearer.
The debate highlighted ongoing deliberations without a definitive decision on whether the repeal would be total or partial.

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15 Aug 2016

Reason Train Car at Bukit Panjang LRT Failed to Stop at Three Stations on 28 July 2016

Liang Eng Hwa questioned the LTA about why a Bukit Panjang LRT train failed to stop at three stations on 28 July 2016 and whether the jerking actions reported by commuters pose safety issues.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that investigations are ongoing but preliminary findings indicate a faulty Train Stop Antenna system, which controls train starts and stops, caused the failure to detect stations from Jelapang to Bukit Panjang.
He emphasized that passenger safety was not compromised due to the functioning Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which maintained safe speeds and distances, halting the train before Phoenix station as a precaution.
The LTA and SMRT are collaborating with Bombardier to explore adding redundancy to the Train Stop Antenna system, similar to the ATP system's built-in backup.

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15 Aug 2016

Service Standards for Responding to Calls Via Emergency Call Buttons on MRT Trains

Low Thia Khiang asked about service standards for responding to emergency call buttons on MRT trains, alternative actions for commuters to stop a moving train when station control is unreachable, and plans to enhance emergency procedures.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that commuters can use intercom units to contact train captains, station staff, or the Operations Control Centre, and in LRT trains, they can also call the OCC via mobile phones; emergency stop buttons and intercom units are available to halt trains safely.
Train operators must ensure these mechanisms work properly and that staff respond timely, with the Land Transport Authority and operators regularly reviewing safety facilities and procedures, including an ongoing investigation into a Bukit Panjang LRT incident.

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15 Aug 2016

Minimum Width of Footpaths for Safe Use by Pedestrians and Cyclists

Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry for Transport to review minimum footpath widths to safely accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists and to clarify rules and enforcement for bicycles and personal mobility devices.
The Ministry noted that footpaths are typically 1.5 to 1.8 metres wide, with new ones at least 1.8 metres, and will widen existing paths where possible while expanding dedicated cycling paths in HDB towns.
The Government has accepted all recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel and will enact legislation by year-end, while increasing enforcement and education efforts in the meantime.

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15 Aug 2016

Measures to Require Banks to Upgrade Branch Security Protocols

The MAS expects banks to conduct thorough security threat assessments and implement appropriate mitigation measures for all branches, including ensuring CCTV and panic alarms are functional and deploying armed guards for high-risk locations.
Following the Holland Village robbery, MAS and the Singapore Police Force have reminded banks to enhance security protocols and prioritize employee and customer safety, with staff trained to call police only when safe.
MAS is collaborating with the police and the Association of Banks in Singapore to develop enhanced physical security best practices, incorporating lessons from the recent incident.

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15 Aug 2016

Number of Offenders Arrested for Loan Sharking and Illegal Moneylending Activities

Gan Thiam Poh requested statistics on reported loan shark harassment cases, arrests for illegal moneylending offenses, and imprisonment and caning sentences over the past five years.
K Shanmugam reported a 10-year low in unlicensed moneylending cases in 2015, with 4,862 cases and 1,501 arrests, noting a significant decline from peak levels in 2009.
From 2011 to 2015, 2,845 persons were sentenced to imprisonment and caning for unlicensed moneylending offenses under the Moneylenders Act.
The Minister outlined severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and caning, for both unlicensed moneylending and harassment related to it.
Police will maintain a tough approach to clamp down on all unlicensed moneylending activities.

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15 Aug 2016

Using Forensics Data Analysis to Curb Recalcitrant High-rise Littering Culprits

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked if forensics like DNA analysis could be used to identify recalcitrant high-rise littering culprits to curb such anti-social behaviours.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M noted that while DNA analysis could provide evidence of contact with litter, it does not directly prove the act of littering and faces challenges like weather exposure; however, the ministry is exploring its potential use.
The ministry has used surveillance cameras since 2012 to catch high-rise litterbugs, leading to over 2,400 enforcements, and will continue adopting measures and technology to tackle the issue.

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15 Aug 2016

Redesigning Home Team Jobs

The Home Team regularly redesigns jobs to adapt to evolving threats and leverage technology, ensuring officers remain relevant and productive across their careers.
Specific examples include dual-training Fire Rescue Specialists in firefighting and emergency medical skills, and exploring Unmanned Surface Vessels for Police Coast Guard surveillance to free officers for critical tasks.
Older officers are supported through retraining and redeployment, such as Singapore Prisons Service officers becoming Reintegration Officers to supervise offenders post-release.
Job redesign aims to enhance effectiveness, provide officers with broader skills, and maintain operational flexibility without compromising security.
These efforts are ongoing to keep Home Team jobs challenging and ensure officers can contribute effectively to Singapore's safety and security.

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15 Aug 2016

Prevention of Shop Thefts by Youths

Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the profile, reasons, and targeted measures for youths committing shop theft, to which Minister K Shanmugam responded that 838 youths were arrested in 2015, with 58% being male and 74% first-time offenders, and the trend remains stable.
Reasons for shop theft include material gains and peer influence, with youth crime being a multifaceted issue requiring collaborative efforts from law enforcement, schools, retailers, social services, parents, and youths themselves.
The National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation, established in 1995, supports developmental and prevention programs, while police work with schools on awareness activities and use interactive tools like touchscreen panels to deter shop theft among youths.

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15 Aug 2016

Increasing Public Education and Penalties to Encourage Heavy Vehicle Drivers to Use Correct Lanes

Mr. Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Home Affairs about measures to educate heavy vehicle drivers on lane usage based on speed limits and proposed stiffer penalties, greater enforcement, speed limiter lights, and more rigorous training for such drivers.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that the Traffic Police uses education, engagement, and enforcement, including teaching lane usage in driving schools, requiring rigorous licensing for heavy vehicles, and conducting outreach campaigns with stakeholders.
The Traffic Police enforces speed limits with fixed and mobile cameras, and heavy vehicle drivers face stiffer penalties, including fines and demerit points, for speeding violations.
Heavy vehicles over certain weight limits must have speed limiters installed, require annual inspections, and face penalties for tampering, with TP and LTA reviewing further measures to curb violations.

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15 Aug 2016

Standardised Internal Processes for Financial Institutions in Monitoring and Handling Potential Anti-money Laundering Cases

The new AML department within MAS will consolidate resources, increase inspections of high-risk institutions, and take public enforcement actions against non-compliant financial institutions.
Standardising internal AML processes across all financial institutions is not feasible due to varying business models, customer bases, and risk profiles; instead, institutions must tailor controls to their specific risks.
The new Enforcement Department will expand its scope to cover banking and insurance sectors, use data analytics for market surveillance, and coordinate with supervisors to detect and investigate misconduct.
MAS emphasises that the focus is on strengthening implementation of existing AML/CFT rules rather than imposing new regulations, in line with international standards.
The department aims to anticipate and address evolving money laundering and terrorist financing risks by aggregating information and enhancing investigative capabilities.

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15 Aug 2016

Communication of Information about Safety and Emergency Features to Commuters

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan queried whether public transport operators are required to effectively communicate safety and emergency features to commuters.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Land Transport Authority mandates operators to inform commuters through signs, announcements, and videos at stations and on vehicles.
A review of the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit incident is underway to assess if further measures are needed.

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15 Aug 2016

Ensuring Commuter Safety during Power Outages and Train Breakdowns

Dennis Tan asked about safety measures during MRT breakdowns, focusing on preventing commuters from being trapped in darkness and ensuring their safety if required to walk along tracks during power failures.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that all MRT and LRT stations have independent backup power for lighting and critical systems, and trains are equipped with backup batteries for emergency lighting, ventilation, and communication.
If passengers need to be detrained, strict procedures are followed, including switching off traction power, isolating the affected section, and guiding commuters safely back to stations, with regular training exercises conducted with relevant agencies.

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15 Aug 2016

Recruitment of Singaporeans in Police Force

The Police Force recruited about 1,300 officers in the last two years with a stable retention rate and a 2% annual resignation rate.
Recruitment will slow in coming years due to workforce growth constraints, and new demands like cybercrime require focusing on quality recruits and smart use of existing officers.
Neighbourhood Police Posts are being redesigned to use more technology and serve as community hubs, with no plans to increase their overall number but possible relocations as the population shifts.

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15 Aug 2016

Efforts to Tackle Phone Scams

In the past two years, 127 people were arrested in connection with phone and internet scams, which saw a rise from 1,007 cases in 2014 to 2,450 in 2015.
Scammers, including those from mainland China, do not specifically target the elderly but conduct general sweeps, and current penalties allow for up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines.
The Ministry enhances public alerts through media platforms, Crime Watch episodes, and over 80 community roadshows annually, focusing on educating the elderly.
The Police continuously review laws to ensure they remain effective against scammers and urge public vigilance to avoid scams.

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