Public safety & law — Topics

5 Apr 2016

In-vehicle Register for Heavy Vehicles to Record Exceeding of Speed Limit

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry for Home Affairs to consider installing speed counters on heavy passenger vehicles and creating a fine and demerit system for speeding detected by these counters.
The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs explained that heavy vehicles already have speed limiters capped at 60 km/h, require annual inspections, and face fines or demerit points for speeding, with reviews underway.
Louis Ng clarified his suggestion is based on military vehicle systems and emphasized the need to prevent accidents involving speeding heavy vehicles carrying passengers.
The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs responded that the suggestion would be considered during the ongoing review of measures to curb heavy vehicle speeding.

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4 Apr 2016

Framework for Healthcare Institutions in line with Counter-terrorism Plans

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef inquired if the Ministry of Health would create a framework for healthcare institutions to align with national counter-terrorism plans, following recent security initiatives.
The Minister of State for Health outlined that public healthcare institutions already maintain baseline security measures and are reviewing plans with the Ministry of Home Affairs to address heightened threats, with the review expected to be completed in a few months.
In response to follow-up questions, the Minister confirmed that security awareness programs would be extended to all staff levels, including non-medical personnel, and that private healthcare institutions follow guidelines and participate in Police-led workgroups to ensure alignment with national security efforts.

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24 Mar 2016

Punishment for SAF Officers Involved in Exercises that Lead to Deaths or Injuries

Minister Ng Eng Hen explained that in the 2012 case where a National Serviceman died from an allergic reaction to smoke grenades, the Coroner found the reaction was unlikely to have been predicted, so the Attorney-General’s Chambers decided not to prosecute the two SAF officers criminally.
The officers were instead charged under military law for breaching safety regulations and punished with fines and delayed promotions, which the Minister said was consistent with similar offences and resulted in a setback to their careers.
The Minister emphasized that SAF’s safety standards are high and that prosecutions in civilian courts occur when there is evidence of reckless or negligent acts, as seen in two other cited cases where officers were fined or jailed.
In response to a supplementary question, the Minister noted that promotion delays are based on the severity of the offence and that the Government Proceedings Act provides necessary protection for security forces to act without undue fear during operations and training.
The Minister stated that while tragic, the case was handled through independent judicial processes, and any changes to liability laws should be debated by Parliament, balancing accountability with the need to maintain effective training and operations.

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14 Mar 2016

Personal Protection Orders and Family Violence Cases

Over the last five years, the Family Justice Courts received an average of about 3,000 Personal Protection Order (PPO) applications annually, with approximately 1,200 orders issued each year.
An average of 1,400 family violence cases were reported annually by Family Service Centres, and Family Violence Specialist Centres handled around 900 such cases each year.
About 72% of issued PPOs were against spouses or former spouses, 11% against children or children-in-law, and the remainder against other relatives like siblings and parents.
Family Services Centres and Family Violence Specialist Centres did not provide detailed breakdowns of cases by family relationship, but profiles are broadly similar to PPO data.
Victims can seek support from Family Services Centres, Family Violence Specialist Centres, or apply for a PPO at the Family Justice Courts for legal protection.

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14 Mar 2016

Accidents Involving E-bikes

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested statistics on accidents involving e-bikes for each year from 2010 to 2015.
Khaw Boon Wan responded by referencing a table containing the number of road accidents involving power-assisted bicycles for those years.
The debate focused on the need for official data to understand the scale of e-bike-related incidents.
The Minister's reply indicated the availability of such statistics, but the table itself was not included in the transcript.
The exchange highlighted parliamentary interest in monitoring road safety concerning e-bikes.

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14 Mar 2016

Corruption Trend

The number of corruption complaints and cases investigated in Singapore remained stable from 2010 to 2014, with the latest annual statistics to be released in April 2016.
The Corruption Reporting Centre at Whitley Road was established to provide a convenient public access point for reporting corruption, as complaints made in person are three times more likely to result in investigations.
The new centre is co-located with CPIB's Heritage Gallery and aims to encourage more public reporting by making it easier to submit information on suspected graft cases.

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14 Mar 2016

Progress of Installation of CCTVs at HDB Void Decks and Common Areas

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the progress of CCTV installation in HDB void decks and common areas.
Shanmugam stated that as of February 2016, 92% of HDB blocks and car parks already had police cameras installed.
Police are expected to complete full installation across all HDB blocks and car parks within the year.
Future installations will be coordinated with HDB for new BTO flats as they are built.
The initiative aims to enhance security in public housing areas through surveillance.

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14 Mar 2016

Assessment of Students under Police Investigation for Suicide Risk

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong questioned whether school counsellors should be required to assess suicide risks for students under police investigation and be present during police interviews on school premises.
The Acting Minister for Education stated that school counsellors are trained in suicide risk assessments but such screenings are not mandatory for all police-involved students to avoid unnecessary distress, focusing instead on those showing signs of emotional distress.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of consistent monitoring and parental-school collaboration to support students' well-being during and after police investigations, and is open to having counsellors present as "appropriate adults" based on ongoing reviews of police procedures.

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14 Mar 2016

Police Training for Handling of Persons with Mental Illness

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef questioned the extent of police training in recognising mental health presentations and the standard procedures when encountering such cases.
The Minister for Home Affairs outlined that all officers undergo a three-month basic course and a three-month specialised course, which include handling individuals with mental health conditions.
Police collaborate with agencies like IMH and AIC, referring non-dangerous cases to AIC and arresting dangerous individuals under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act for assessment at IMH.

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14 Mar 2016

Prohibiting Electric Bicycles in Designated Areas in Toa Payoh East-Novena

Saktiandi Supaat requested a prohibition on electric bicycles on pedestrian walks and crossings in Toa Payoh East-Novena to protect elderly residents and young children.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport clarified that electric bicycles are only allowed on roads and are fined if used on footpaths, with strict technical requirements like weight and speed limits to enhance safety.
Saktiandi Supaat highlighted resident concerns about incidents involving electric bicycles exceeding speed limits and asked for more enforcement plans.
The Minister confirmed a comprehensive review is underway by Parliamentary Secretary Assoc Prof Dr Faishal Ibrahim to address enforcement and other safety aspects.

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14 Mar 2016

Strategies to Identify Potential Radicalised Groups

Security agencies in Singapore will continue monitoring and investigating signs of radicalisation, sharing intelligence with foreign partners to address transnational threats.
The Minister emphasised that society, including families, employers, and workers, must collectively help safeguard against radicalisation by reporting suspicious activities.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about specific action plans for dormitory operators to act as "eyes and ears" and thresholds for addressing foreign worker gatherings.
The Minister confirmed dormitories follow security guidelines and that the government is considering broader societal involvement, while noting lower crime rates among foreign workers but ongoing management of gatherings.
Plans are being developed to address these issues, with the Ministry set to announce further measures soon.

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1 Mar 2016

Prosecutions for Illegal Use of Electric Bicycles

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport for the number of prosecutions for illegal use of electric bicycles each year from 2010 to 2015.
The Minister for Transport, Khaw Boon Wan, responded by providing tables showing the number of general cycling offences and electric-bicycle specific offences for those years.
Offenders in these cases were issued warnings, offered composition fines, or charged in Court.

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1 Mar 2016

Cycling Offences in Past Two Years

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport about the number of cyclists booked for errant or dangerous cycling offences, complaints against errant cyclists, and participants in the Safe Cycling Clinic for Youth over the past two years.
The Minister responded that government agencies received about 600 complaints in 2014 and 800 in 2015, and issued around 1,300 summons each year.
Since its launch in 2014, the Safe Cycling Clinic for Youth has trained about 150 secondary school students, and additional educational programmes on safe cycling have been conducted at community events.

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1 Mar 2016

Compensation for Injuries Caused by Cyclists

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about compensation avenues for injuries caused by cyclists and plans to regulate cyclists.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that victims can seek compensation through civil court action or private settlement, similar to motor accident victims.
He noted existing regulations, such as cyclists not being allowed on footpaths, and that a panel is reviewing rules and considering a code of conduct.
The panel is expected to submit recommendations to the Ministry soon.

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1 Mar 2016

Students Under Investigation

The Acting Minister for Education outlined eight steps schools follow when students assist in police investigations, emphasizing discretion, student well-being, and parental contact, while noting schools cannot obstruct police work.
The Minister for Home Affairs defended police protocols, stating that urgent investigations are necessary for public safety, and highlighted the success of guidance programs in rehabilitating youth offenders with low recidivism rates.
Both ministers agreed to review current procedures, considering suggestions such as extending the Appropriate Adult scheme to minors and allowing school staff to accompany students to police stations, pending findings from the coroner's inquiry and stakeholder consultations.

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1 Mar 2016

Death of Student

The Minister detailed the facts of Benjamin Lim’s case, noting police protocols for interviewing minors, the open-plan setting of the statement-taking, and the aim to prioritize rehabilitation for young persons, with statistics showing most face warnings rather than charges.
He announced a review of police protocols for interviewing young persons, considering measures such as video recording and extending the Appropriate Adult Scheme, while cautioning against hasty conclusions given the pending Coroner’s Inquiry.
The Minister condemned deliberate falsehoods spread by some online sources, including The Online Citizen, that alleged police intimidation and coercion, and stated that such dishonest attacks undermine public trust.
He explained the Ministry’s initial restraint from detailed comment, respecting the family’s grief and the sub judice principles surrounding the Coroner’s Inquiry, while asserting that public interest necessitated the statement to correct inaccuracies.
The Minister emphasized the importance of allowing official inquiries to establish facts before public debate, and stressed that the police acted properly and that responsibility for protocols rests with his ministry.

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1 Mar 2016

Preventing Outrage of Modesty Cases on MRT Trains

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the number of reported molestation cases on MRT trains, plans to reduce them, and whether warning signs should be placed in carriages.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that there has been an annual average of 71 outrage of modesty cases over the past three years, with police patrols, outreach, and existing penalties in place, but no current need for warning signs.
Er Dr Lee highlighted concerns about underreporting due to embarrassment and asked about increased education, reporting guidance, and camera coverage.
The Parliamentary Secretary noted ongoing awareness efforts with public transport operators and assured that camera adequacy is taken seriously, while declining to detail operational use.
Leon Perera proposed women-only carriages if cases worsen, but the Parliamentary Secretary ruled out such plans, citing low case numbers relative to total ridership.

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1 Mar 2016

Effectiveness of High-rise Littering Prevention Measures

In 2015, there were about 2,800 reported cases of high-rise littering, with two arrests for litter causing hurt but no deaths; the government uses education, outreach, and surveillance cameras to address the issue, with over 800 enforcement actions taken that year.
Senior Minister Amy Khor stated that camera deployments have increased significantly, with about one-third leading to identifiable perpetrators, and deployment typically takes about four days after confirmation.
MPs proposed stronger measures for repeat offenders, such as capping fines, confiscating flats, or "naming and shaming" individuals; the ministry is considering these ideas while stressing the need for case-by-case assessment and public cooperation.

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1 Mar 2016

Schools' Procedures for Students Involved in Police Investigations

The Acting Minister for Education (Schools) requested to combine and address two parliamentary questions on schools' procedures for students involved in police investigations through a later ministerial statement.
The questions focused on how schools inform parents of developments in law enforcement cases, monitor compliance with protocols for protecting minors during police interviews, and review these protocols.
The queries also covered ensuring protocol consistency with Singapore's laws and its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Acting Minister sought to address the procedures when police interview students at school and subsequently bring them to the police station for further questioning.
The debate was deferred pending a joint ministerial statement with the Minister for Home Affairs.

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1 Mar 2016

Safeguarding Interests of Young and Vulnerable Persons during Police Investigations

Multiple MPs raised concerns about protecting young and vulnerable persons during police investigations, seeking details on existing safeguards, parental notification, legal representation, and video recording of interviews.
The debates were prompted by public speculation and questions regarding a specific case involving a 14-year-old boy who died after police questioning, with MPs urging timely responses and thorough procedure reviews.
The Minister of Home Affairs was requested to provide a consolidated ministerial statement to address all questions on standard procedures, the Appropriate Adult Scheme, and compliance monitoring.

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