Public safety & law — Topics

14 Jul 2015

Instances where "Move-on" Powers were Invoked

Christopher de Souza asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs about the usage, effectiveness, and examples of Police "move-on powers" under the Public Order Act.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs explained that move-on orders are a useful tool for pre-emptively de-escalating public order situations without immediate arrests.
Since the Public Order Act was enacted in 2009, Police have issued 20 move-on orders, with 19 subjects complying and one subject being arrested for non-compliance.

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14 Jul 2015

Updating Change of Address in Identity Cards

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar raised concerns about allowing property owners to restrict tenants from using their home address on NRICs to prevent harassment from moneylenders.
Mr David Ong inquired about the number of cases where NRIC holders failed to update addresses within 28 days and suggestions to improve compliance and enforcement.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs clarified that the law requires address updates within 28 days, with 61 convictions over three years, and stressed the importance of current addresses for contact tracing, elections, and legal compliance.
The Minister explained that using outdated addresses can facilitate illegal loans and cause inconvenience, and authorities require documentary proof to prevent abuse of the address change facility.
Dr Mokhtar suggested allowing tenants to use post office boxes or next-of-kin addresses, but the Minister declined, emphasizing that current, traceable addresses are essential for enforcement and public safety.

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13 Jul 2015

Speculative Invoicing

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked about the number of speculative invoicing cases, legal safeguards, and available legal assistance for recipients.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that speculative invoicing involves demand letters for alleged copyright infringement, which are not inherently wrongful but must comply with legal and ethical rules.
Over the past five years, MinLaw and IPOS received two complaints and 26 queries related to one specific movie case, with no other known complaints.
Recipients can seek legal advice from professionals or the Legal Aid Bureau if they meet eligibility criteria, and IPOS offers IP Legal Clinics for intellectual property matters.
Lawyers sending such letters are bound by professional conduct rules to avoid unethical demands or threats, and complaints can be lodged with the Law Society.

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13 Jul 2015

Abuse of Rooftop Gardens in HDB Estates

Mr Zaqy Mohamad raised concerns about security, abuse, and noise issues in HDB rooftop gardens near residential units, suggesting limited resident-only access and CCTV installations with police cooperation.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that HDB designs these gardens to provide greenery and recreational space, placing noisy facilities away from flats and ensuring plants address privacy, while keeping them open and communal for all residents.
HDB collaborates with the Singapore Police Force for neighborhood safety, and while no universal CCTV plans exist, installations will be considered for security concerns, with Town Councils able to liaise with police for localized assessments.

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13 Jul 2015

Status of Proceedings Relating to Murder of Two Persons in Vicinity of Hillside/Kovan in July 2013

Sylvia Lim requested an update on the criminal proceedings for the suspect arrested in connection with the July 2013 double murder near Hillside/Kovan.
Teo Chee Hean confirmed the accused was charged on 15 July 2013 under Section 300(a) of the Penal Code for two counts of murder and is remanded at Changi Prison Complex.
A Committal Hearing is scheduled for 29 July 2015 to decide if the case proceeds to a High Court trial.
If committed, the trial dates are set for 20–30 October 2015 and 29 March to 8 April 2016.

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13 Jul 2015

SCDF's Emergency Response Plans for Kovan/Hillside/Rosyth and Serangoon Gardens

Sylvia Lim inquired about SCDF’s emergency access plans for narrow roads in Kovan/Hillside/Rosyth and Serangoon Gardens estates.
SCDF conducts regular ground surveys to identify operational challenges like illegal parking that hinder emergency vehicle access.
When illegal parking is found, SCDF notifies LTA for enforcement, with fines or demerit points for errant vehicle owners.
SCDF uses smaller, maneuverable vehicles like light fire attack vehicles and fire bikes alongside larger engines to navigate narrow roads.
These measures aim to ensure timely emergency responses despite the terrain and parking issues in the estates.

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13 Jul 2015

Improving Design of Service Yards in HDB Flats

Ang Wei Neng asked if HDB will improve service yard designs after a toddler’s head got caught between a ledge and a laundry pole.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that service yards are semi-open spaces with features like water, electricity, and washing machine space, and their design includes safety measures such as a 1.1m parapet height and lockable doors.
He noted that residents can apply to install additional safety features like window grilles with HDB’s approval.

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13 Jul 2015

Effectiveness of Misuse of Drugs Act Amendments in Disrupting Trafficking

The 2012 amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act gave courts discretion to spare drug couriers who provide substantive assistance, aiming to enhance intelligence gathering against trafficking syndicates.
Since implementation, the law has led to the arrest of over 40 traffickers and disrupted syndicate operations through information from couriers and regional collaboration.
Authorities recognize syndicates are evolving, but the amendments have supported tough enforcement, reflecting Singapore's zero-tolerance approach to drugs through legal, preventive, and educational measures.

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13 Jul 2015

Considerations when Installing CCTV to Deter High-rise Littering

Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Environment and Water Resources about the considerations for installing CCTV to identify high-rise litterers.
Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that high-rise littering is a serious offence causing hygiene and safety issues, with 2,500 feedback cases in 2014.
He noted that outreach and education often improve situations, but CCTV will be deployed in persistent cases to catch offenders.
In 2014, over 800 enforcement actions were taken against high-rise littering offenders.
The Ministry, Town Councils, and grassroots organisations collaborate on these efforts to deter littering.

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13 Jul 2015

Emergency Service Vehicle Access at Residential Estates

Sylvia Lim queried how the Ministry ensures emergency vehicle access to homes on narrow roads and asked whether SCDF conducts detailed area-based planning and has protocols for overcoming access difficulties caused by physical constraints or parked vehicles.
Teo Chee Hean explained that public roads are built to strict standards guaranteeing minimum clearance for emergency vehicles, and SCDF uses smaller, more maneuverable vehicles for narrow areas while conducting regular ground surveys to identify and address illegal parking issues through LTA enforcement.
In cases of obstruction, SCDF ground commanders assess the situation, deploy smaller vehicles or officers on foot, and engage building management or residents to remove obstructing vehicles; the Fire Safety Act also allows forcible removal of vehicles impeding fire-fighting operations.

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13 Jul 2015

Dedicated Ambulance for Jurong Island

Mr K Karthikeyan inquired if the SCDF could dedicate a standby ambulance exclusively for Jurong Island.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean explained that SCDF deploys ambulances based on demand, noting low call volume from Jurong Island (73 calls in 2014).
A dedicated standby ambulance is not feasible, but an ambulance is stationed at Jurong Pier Fire Post from 7 am to 11 pm daily to cover peak industrial hours.
This ambulance also serves nearby areas like Boon Lay, Tuas, and Jurong Industrial Estate to optimize resource use.
SCDF continuously monitors response times and adjusts ambulance deployment as needed to ensure prompt emergency response.

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13 Jul 2015

Employers who Pay CPF Contributions for Phantom Local Workers

Mr K Karthikeyan asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of employers who paid CPF contributions for phantom local workers to inflate their foreign worker quota from 2011 to 2014.
Lim Swee Say responded that from 2011 to 2014, MOM took enforcement action against 90 employers for illegally inflating their foreign worker quota by making CPF contributions to locals who did not work for their companies.
Errant employers face financial penalties of up to $20,000 per work pass application made using the inflated quota and may be debarred from hiring foreign workers for 12 months or more, depending on the severity of the case.

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13 Jul 2015

Crowd Control Measures at Sports Hub

Baey Yam Keng inquired about standard procedures for crowd management and safety at the Sports Hub and the Ministry's checks and enforcement measures.
Lawrence Wong confirmed that Sports Hub Pte Ltd has SOPs for crowd control, tailors plans for each event, and collaborates with authorities for large events.
The Ministry stated that lessons from the SEA Games Closing Ceremony are being used to refine SOPs and improve future event management at the Sports Hub.

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13 Jul 2015

Waiving Cost of Executing Writ of Seizure and Sale for Low-income Singaporeans

Pritam Singh asked whether the Ministry will subsidise or waive the cost of executing a Writ of Seizure and Sale for low-income Singaporeans recovering unpaid salaries from employers.
K Shanmugam explained that such costs are typically borne by the judgment debtor unless the court orders otherwise, and that parties can already apply to the Registrar for a fee waiver or deferment based on their financial circumstances.
The Legal Aid Bureau can provide legal aid for executing the Writ, including in employment disputes, subject to means and merits tests, with no liability for court fees for those granted aid.

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13 Jul 2015

Regulating Debt Collection by Licensed Moneylenders

Alex Yam asked if the debt collection process of licensed moneylenders is regulated, if any have been penalized for intimidation in the last five years, and whether the framework will be strengthened to prevent intimidation.
K Shanmugam stated that existing laws like the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act already protect debtors from unreasonable or illegal conduct, with no cases of licensed moneylenders having their licences suspended or revoked for criminal behavior during debt collection in the last five years.
The Ministry of Law believes the current system provides sufficient safeguards and is committed to improving industry professionalism, having accepted 12 out of 15 recommendations from an Advisory Committee on Moneylending to strengthen the regime.

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13 Jul 2015

Deterring Cross-border Human Trafficking in ASEAN

Christopher de Souza inquired whether Myanmar can be compelled under the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration to address the Rohingya crisis and what diplomatic pressures could curb alleged human trafficking against them, citing specific articles.
He also asked if ASEAN will act collectively under Article 13 of the declaration to deter cross-border human trafficking, especially after mass graves were found along the Thai-Malaysian border.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, K Shanmugam, responded that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is aspirational and not legally binding, so ASEAN cannot force Myanmar to act but encourages adherence to its spirit through dialogue.
He outlined ASEAN’s cooperative efforts, including adopting a convention and plan of action against trafficking, coordinating with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and establishing a trust fund and potential task force for crisis response.
The Minister emphasized the need for international and regional cooperation beyond ASEAN, such as through the Bali Process, to address the trafficking syndicates and support affected countries.

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13 Jul 2015

Contingency Plans in Event of Sensitive Information Leakage

The Minister explained that while specific contingency plans cannot be predefined for every leakage incident, key principles include prioritising citizen protection, such as suspending breached accounts and enabling password resets.
A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause and timing of the breach, with agencies collaborating with the Cyber Security Agency and Police, and assessments may be revised as new facts emerge.
The Government emphasises prevention through a "security-by-design" approach and real-time monitoring of IT systems, investing in capabilities to minimise the risk of hacking or internal breaches.

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13 Jul 2015

Safety and Security Protocols when Police Escort Persons in Custody at Hospitals

The Police have established procedures for escorting persons-in-custody (PICs) to hospitals, including using grip restraints and a minimum of two escort officers, which are benchmarked against international practices.
In the 2015 Khoo Teck Puat Hospital incident, a PIC escorted for medical treatment attacked an officer, leading to a struggle where shots were fired and both the PIC and officer were injured.
The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that escort procedures are generally sound, but audits and investigations are underway to ensure compliance and review the incident thoroughly.

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13 Jul 2015

Organised Crime Bill

The Organised Crime Bill aims to detect, investigate, prevent, and disrupt organised crime activities while depriving offenders of their criminal benefits.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mr S Iswaran, presented the bill, signified the President's recommendation, and initiated its First Reading in Parliament.
The bill will undergo a Second Reading at the next available Parliament sitting and be formally printed for further legislative process.

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13 Jul 2015

Security Measures for Shangri-La Dialogue

Police implemented multi-stage security measures for the Shangri-La Dialogue, including road blocks, vehicle checks for explosives, and concrete barriers to deter and slow vehicles.
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined police rules of engagement, stating that officers may use lethal force as a last resort if a vehicle breaches checks and poses an imminent threat, under section 63 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
A coroner's inquiry will be conducted to establish the circumstances of the driver's death, and the Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing the incident to ensure security measures remain effective.
The government emphasized the real threat of terrorism and the need for public vigilance, citing past incidents globally and in Singapore involving vehicle-borne explosives.

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