Public safety & law — Topics

29 Feb 2016

Number of Persons' Criminal Records Rendered Spent

From 2005 to 2015, 157,369 persons had their criminal records rendered spent, with an annual breakdown provided in Table 1.
Of these, 68,792 were Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, while 88,577 were foreigners, with over half (47,836) being illegal immigrants convicted for entering without a valid pass.
Records are automatically spent if ex-offenders meet criteria such as not exceeding imprisonment of three months or a $2,000 fine and maintaining a five-year crime-free period.
Foreigners with spent records, including repatriated illegal immigrants, must still obtain prior written permission to re-enter Singapore.

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29 Feb 2016

Utilisation Rates of SCDF's First-Responder Apps for Civilians

Ang Hin Kee inquired about the utilisation rates and user numbers of SCDF’s Save-a-Life initiative and myResponder app, and plans to expand reach to more spaces and CPR/AED-trained individuals.
K Shanmugam reported that since its 2015 launch, the myResponder app has been downloaded about 9,000 times and alerted community first responders to over 3,800 cardiac arrest cases.
The Save-a-Life initiative includes AED installations in HDB estates and DARE programme training, with about 300 residents trained in each of six pilot constituencies.
SCDF has partnered with various organizations to install AEDs in schools, community centres, sports facilities, and SMRT taxis, with plans to extend to all HDB estates by 2018.
The government aims to continue expanding the initiative to enhance community self-help and improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

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29 Feb 2016

Recruitment Efforts of Singapore Police Force

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has increased the number of Police Officers by about 18% over the last decade and is enhancing recruitment by offering meaningful jobs, competitive terms, and better career advancement through a unified service scheme and specialist tracks.
SPF is redesigning frontline police work to incorporate more data, technology, and automation, while also extending the retirement age to 55 and re-employing about 60% of retired officers based on performance and organisational needs.
The Home Team Specialist Scheme has recruited 290 civilian officers for specialized roles, allowing uniformed officers to focus on core policing functions and operational duties.

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29 Feb 2016

Adequacy of Speed Limit Signs

Gan Thiam Poh questioned if the current number of speed limit signs and the distance between them are adequate, and asked whether there are plans to increase signs with the installation of speed limit monitors or cameras.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated, with non-default limits clearly marked and signs placed between 500 metres and one kilometre apart.
He added that advance warning signs are placed 100-150 metres before speed cameras and that the government regularly reviews sign sufficiency, emphasizing that not speeding is the best safeguard.

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29 Feb 2016

Updates on Licensing Irregularities at Singapore Rifle Association and Singapore Gun Club

The Minister confirmed that police inspected the Singapore Rifle Association and Singapore Gun Club armouries in February 2016 and took custody of several arms without valid licences, though all licensed firearms were accounted for and none were missing.
Police investigations into the unlicensed arms are ongoing, and interim measures have been taken, including granting a licence to the Singapore Shooting Association to manage the armouries and restricting access to national shooters and police-approved personnel.
Authorities are conducting a holistic review of security at the National Shooting Centre and will collaborate with Sport Singapore and the Singapore Shooting Association to ensure robust security measures and compliance with licensing requirements.

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29 Feb 2016

Complaints about and Bookings of Errant Cyclists

In 2015, government agencies received about 800 complaints of errant cyclists and issued about 1,300 summonses, with around 300 related to cycling on footpaths but not all involving collisions.
Statistics on specific incidents of cyclists colliding into pedestrians on footpaths are not maintained by agencies.
Cyclists who injure pedestrians due to rash behavior can be prosecuted, facing fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both.

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29 Feb 2016

Bogus Charges for Business Registration Services

Lim Biow Chuan questioned what actions ACRA takes to prevent companies from being misled into paying for fake registration services.
Heng Swee Keat stated that ACRA is the sole statutory body for business registration and will prosecute offenders, with penalties up to $10,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment.
ACRA has safeguards like distinct letterheads and requires businesses to state their names and registration numbers, with fines for breaches.
Companies are urged to verify third-party identities using ACRA’s free search tool, review terms carefully, and report suspicious activities to ACRA or the Police.

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29 Feb 2016

Public Education and Resolution of Online Commercial Crime

The Minister reported a near doubling of online commercial crime cases from 2014 to 2015 and outlined enforcement actions including island-wide operations and international cooperation with foreign police.
The Police are reviewing and enhancing legal powers to better tackle online crime, acknowledging that the borderless nature of the Internet makes such cases difficult to solve.
Public education is being intensified through a dedicated anti-scam website, posters, and TV commercials, with the government stressing that individual vigilance is critical to prevent victimization.

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29 Feb 2016

Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Bill

The Bill allows Singapore to share criminal records, fingerprints, and photographs with foreign law enforcement agencies on a reciprocal basis, with safeguards including undertakings on confidentiality and restricted use, to combat transnational crime and terrorism.
It expands police powers to collect biometric data from individuals released on bail or personal bond, addressing operational gaps during mass arrests or hospitalisations.
Concerns were raised about the due diligence in assessing foreign agencies' ability to safeguard information, especially within ASEAN, and the potential impact on Singaporeans' privacy and travel, with the government emphasising ongoing evaluations and protections.
The amendments align with international agreements like the US Preventing and Combating Serious Crime Agreement, supporting Singapore's participation in programmes such as the US Visa-Waiver Programme.
The Bill was supported by parliamentarians, with emphasis on balancing security needs with privacy safeguards, and passed without amendment.

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29 Feb 2016

School Procedures for Students Involved in Police Investigations

Mr Dennis Tan inquired about how schools inform parents when students are involved in police investigations, the monitoring of protocols to protect minors, the review process for these protocols, and their alignment with Singapore's commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mr Ang Wei Neng specifically asked about the procedures when police interview a student at school and subsequently take them to the police station for further questioning.
The Acting Minister for Education, Mr Ng Chee Meng, sought and received permission to address both questions later in a joint ministerial statement following a statement from the Minister for Home Affairs.

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29 Feb 2016

Safeguarding Interests of Young and Vulnerable Persons during Police Investigations

Several MPs raised concerns about protecting children and vulnerable youths during police investigations, questioning current procedures for informing parents, ensuring legal rights, and using video recording.
The Ministerial Statement was requested to address multiple questions collectively, indicating a comprehensive review of police protocols for young persons.
Issues highlighted included compliance monitoring, transparency in communication with guardians, and the handling of high-profile cases involving minors.

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29 Jan 2016

Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Bill

The Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Bill was presented by Mr Desmond Lee to amend the Registration of Criminals Act (Chapter 268 of the 1985 Revised Edition).
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next available parliamentary sitting.
The debate focuses on updating the legal framework for criminal registration in Singapore.
The amendment aims to modernize and improve the administration of criminal records.
The bill will be formally printed following the parliamentary process.

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29 Jan 2016

Ambulance Evacuation for Accident Victims and Seriously Ill Patients

The Parliamentary Secretary outlined SCDF’s strategies to manage rising ambulance calls, including a tiered response model and public training initiatives to ensure timely care for critical cases.
SCDF uses Fire Bikers and AEDs to provide immediate aid for time-sensitive emergencies like cardiac arrests, while fire fighters can assist in accidents before ambulances arrive.
For cases like heart attacks, SCDF prioritizes transporting patients to the nearest hospital with appropriate facilities via the fastest route to minimize door-to-balloon time.

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29 Jan 2016

Pedestrian Safety on Footpaths Open to Cyclists

The government is enhancing pedestrian safety by increasing enforcement, developing a National Cyclist Education Programme, and having the Active Mobility Advisory Panel review safety rules after a child was hit by a cyclist.
The Minister cited practical challenges with bicycle licensing, such as outdated registers and ownership changes, explaining why most countries do not require it and questioning its feasibility.
A suggestion to introduce speed limits for cyclists in parks and park connectors was raised, with the response that this is being considered by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel as part of its ongoing review.

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28 Jan 2016

Harassment and Intimidation by Licensed Moneylenders

Christopher de Souza asked whether stronger measures and clearer guidelines on debt collection practices are needed to protect borrowers from harassment by licensed moneylenders.
K Shanmugam noted a significant drop in complaints against licensed moneylenders and pointed to existing safeguards, including police reporting and the Protection from Harassment Act.
The Ministry of Law has implemented some recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Moneylending and will implement more in the coming months, while reviewing the guideline proposal later to allow the industry time to adjust.

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28 Jan 2016

Cannabis Abuse in Singapore

The Minister reported that arrests for cannabis abuse have risen over the past three years, with 94% of those arrested being male and 57% under age 30, indicating a growing concern, particularly among youth.
The Ministry and Central Narcotics Bureau are intensifying anti-drug campaigns by targeting youths through school roadshows, social media, and advertisements to correct misperceptions that cannabis is a "soft drug."
Authorities are engaging parents and teachers by providing resources, updating schools on the drug situation, and informing institutions when a student is arrested for drug abuse to enable further investigations and preventive talks.
Rehabilitation for cannabis abusers is tailored to individual risk profiles, with programs ranging from six to 18 months based on assessments by trained psychologists.
When a student is arrested for drug abuse, the school is notified and may conduct additional investigations and educational sessions to address the issue within the student population.

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28 Jan 2016

Comparative Crime Statistics

Singapore's 2014 crime rate was 591 cases per 100,000 population, which is significantly lower than major cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong, and was achieved with a lean police force of about 170 officers per 100,000 people.
The government is confident in maintaining the low crime rate despite manpower constraints, citing a stable crime rate over the past five years, efficient policing, good laws, and community partnerships.
Strategies to address future challenges include enhancing recruitment terms, using data analytics for efficient operations, improving officers' capabilities with technology, and strengthening community partnerships to leverage public support.

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28 Jan 2016

Actions against Educators for Sexual Misconduct

MOE reports 14 cases of educator sexual misconduct over the past five years, with all cases reported to police, suspended officers during investigation, and dismissal for those found guilty or with serious boundary breaches, while redeployment is used for inconclusive cases with lingering concerns.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak questioned how this figure compares internationally and raised concerns about undetected cases, suggesting the need for whistleblower mechanisms, student education on sexual harassment, reporting hotlines, and surveys to gauge prevalence.
The Minister emphasized that educators are trained on conduct codes from recruitment through professional development, with explicit scenarios and expectations, while students receive age-appropriate education on sexual misconduct and grooming from Primary 1 onward, including peer support and reporting duties for staff.

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28 Jan 2016

Steps Taken to Prosecute Errant Companies that Caused Haze

The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act provides the legal basis to investigate and prosecute any entity, whether local or foreign, that causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore, defined as when the 24-hour PSI is at 101 or higher for a continuous 24-hour period.
During the 2015 haze, the National Environment Agency issued Preventive Measures Notices to six companies, requiring them to take specific actions to extinguish or prevent fires and submit action plans.
The agency also served a notice to Asia Pulp & Paper Co Ltd in Singapore to provide information on its subsidiaries and suppliers in Indonesia, and has received and is reviewing the submitted information.
Two companies have responded to the notices, while the other four have not, and the agency is corresponding with the responding companies and seeking assistance from Indonesian authorities to verify information.
Investigations are ongoing, and no further details can be disclosed at this time.

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28 Jan 2016

Update on Singapore Military's Support to Anti-ISIS Coalition

Singapore has supported the anti-ISIS coalition since 2014 with a liaison officer to US Central Command and an imagery analysis team in Kuwait, with the latter recently extended for another year in 2016.
The Minister emphasized that Singapore’s involvement is driven by the need to counter the globalized threat of terrorism, citing regional attacks and the arrest of radicalized individuals in Singapore as evidence of the risk.
The Defence Ministry stated that contributions are assessed regularly for effectiveness and relevance, with Singapore focusing on niche capabilities like imagery analysis and planning, as well as strengthening internal coordination with the Home Team.

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