Public safety & law

• The Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) (Amendment) Bill was introduced by the Second Minister for Home Affairs to amend the existing Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act.
• The bill underwent its first reading in Parliament and was scheduled for a second reading at the next available sitting.
• The proposed amendments aim to update the legal framework for suppressing the financing of terrorism in Singapore.

• The Ministry of Manpower has issued guidelines and daily advisories based on the PSI, engaged industry bodies, and set up a framework to help SMEs procure N95 masks while working with tripartite partners to adjust work arrangements and provide haze safety education in workers' native languages.
• Employers are expected to conduct their own risk assessments and implement measures to minimize outdoor exposure, with many companies proactively stopping work during high PSI levels and adjusting work arrangements, as supported by a Workplace Safety and Health Council survey.
• The government is leading by example, with public sector agencies following national health advisories and taking precautionary measures for officers undertaking outdoor work.
• Employers found failing to safeguard workers can face fines of up to $10,000 for a first offence and up to $20,000 or imprisonment for subsequent offences, while employees can raise concerns with employers or the Ministry for investigation.

• Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Transport whether ladies-only train cabins would be considered to improve safety and comfort for female commuters during crowded peak periods.
• Lui Tuck Yew stated that the Ministry focuses on safety through patrols and more CCTV, and while ladies-only carriages have been considered, they pose practical challenges like reduced train capacity and social concerns about gender segregation.
• The Minister emphasized openness to other suggestions to enhance security or the sense of security for female commuters.

• Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Health for data on reported physical and verbal abuse cases against healthcare employees over the past decade, the Ministry's measures to protect them, and actions taken against abusers.
• Health Minister Gan Kim Yong noted a rise in reported abuse cases, with public hospital police reports increasing from 16 in 2010/12 to 33 in 2012.
• Public hospitals implement measures such as signage, staff training in de-escalation, security alerts, and police intervention to protect staff.
• The Ministry does not condone abuse, emphasizes public respect for healthcare workers despite patient stress, and may press charges against abusive individuals.

• The Ministry of Home Affairs is maintaining heightened vigilance and stepping up security measures, such as increasing police patrols and conducting bomb sweeps at public events, in response to threats like the Boston Marathon bombing.
• Stringent checks at immigration entry points and round-the-clock coastal surveillance have been in place since 9/11 to prevent the entry of terrorists and contraband into Singapore.
• Community partnerships, including Safety and Security Watch Groups with private businesses, are being expanded to enhance public vigilance and cooperation in preventing and mitigating terrorism threats.

• Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired about road safety campaigns, resources spent, and activities for the UN Global Road Safety Week in 2013.
• Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced the Safer Roads Singapore plan, detailing four annual campaigns and $1 million yearly funding from 2010 to 2012.
• Over the past three years, over 600,000 road users were reached through 2,400 talks and exhibitions, with partnerships like a road safety luncheon for elderly pedestrians.
• In support of UN Global Road Safety Week, the inaugural Singapore Road Safety Month will be held from 6 May to 1 June 2013 with customized activities for various road user groups.
• The government encourages community participation to enhance road safety through education and engagement under the Safer Roads Singapore initiative.

• From 2010 to 2012, the Police received 36,150 applications for security licences, with 2,194 (about 6%) rejected.
• Applications are assessed individually based on the ability to protect lives and property, with criminal records being a key factor in determining suitability.
• Ex-offenders may be considered for licences if they demonstrate they have turned over a new leaf after a period of time.

• Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for National Development about the number of tree failures and casualties in recent years, plans to increase tree safety inspections, removal of storm-vulnerable trees, and a timeline for such exercises.
• Khaw Boon Wan responded that NParks manages over 1.4 million trees, with 1,050 tree failures in 2012 and 438 cases up to April 2013, noting a 5% drop from the previous year.
• Over the past decade, there were four fatalities and 62 injuries from tree failures, and NParks has increased inspection frequency for mature and flood-prone trees since June 2012, with removals and pruning to enhance stability.
• NParks identified and removed over 4,000 storm-vulnerable trees last year, such as Albizia, Wild Cinnamon, and African Tulip, and advises other landowners to do the same.

• Arthur Fong asked about summonses for motorists who failed to give way to ambulances, stricter penalties, and action taken against a motorist who blocked an ambulance on 14 March 2013.
• Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean stated that about 17 summonses are issued annually, with fines up to $160 and four demerit points, and that enforcement action was taken against the motorist in the 2013 incident.
• He noted that most motorists are considerate, but penalties may be reviewed if needed, and agencies will continue to promote awareness on giving way to emergency vehicles.

• Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked whether defence equipment like radar is installed on HDB blocks, how public health and safety are managed, and if these installations add danger during conflict.
• Ng Eng Hen confirmed a very limited number of defence equipment are installed on HDB blocks as part of Singapore’s surveillance network, only after exhausting other options.
• He stated the equipment poses no health risks, with levels similar to mobile phone base stations, and they protect all Singaporeans by preventing attacks.

• The Acting Minister explained that bogus fund-raising activities are treated as cheating and handled by police, with public checks possible via SMS and the Charity Portal to verify licensed fund-raisers and report suspicious cases.
• Nominated Member Janice Koh asked about penalties for bogus fund-raisers, how penalties are communicated as a deterrent, and public education to distinguish genuine from fake fund-raisers.
• The Acting Minister acknowledged the need to raise awareness on penalty details and verification methods, and agreed to share penalty information separately, while emphasizing public diligence in checking licenses.

• The Community Policing System (COPS) has shown early positive results, with a decrease in loan shark harassment at blocks with Police Cameras and a 29% increase in community patrol volunteers.
• The government is expanding COPS to more police centers and installing additional Police Cameras, emphasizing a holistic approach combining enforcement, education, and community partnership to tackle loan shark harassment.
• Parliament discussed the need for upstream deterrence, such as community education to prevent borrowing, in addition to downstream enforcement, and highlighted measures to penalize failure to update identity card addresses to protect victims.

• Since the 2011 pilot, 12 suspects were caught on camera for high-rise littering, with five prosecuted and fined between $800 and $1,500, but the Minister is not satisfied given over 8,000 annual complaints.
• The Minister emphasized that CCTV should be a last resort after community efforts and door-knocking, and called for higher penalties, better use of social norms, and a review of surveillance SOPs to increase deterrence.
• MPs raised concerns about "killer litter," suggested technology like DNA testing, and asked for case breakdowns, but the Minister noted privacy and legal hurdles and committed to specific follow-ups.

• Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development about the number of cases lodged with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) regarding real estate agents facilitating HDB flat sales to repay illegal moneylenders and the outcomes.
• The CEA investigated a case where a salesperson involved in unlicensed moneylending was charged by Police in November 2012, with the case pending court hearings.
• The CEA also investigated five salespersons linked to licensed moneylenders, charging one in December 2012 for referring clients to licensed moneylenders, while four cases remain under investigation.
• The CEA collaborates with Police, HDB, and the Registry of Moneylenders, taking stern action against agents colluding with moneylenders, including possible prosecution and debarment if convicted.

• Sylvia Lim asked about complaints against real estate agents for brokering illegal sub-letting of HDB rental flats in the past 24 months and the outcomes of investigations.
• Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Council for Estate Agencies investigated three complaints, with one case leading to prosecution for offences under the Estate Agents Act and police charges for cheating.
• Investigations are still ongoing for the remaining two cases.

• Dr. Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about traffic junction safety after recent fatal accidents, asking for studies on layout amendments, safety upgrades at accident-prone junctions like Lentor Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road, and harsher penalties for reckless motorists.
• Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew explained that LTA prioritizes safety in junction design, regularly reviews layouts based on international best practices, and has implemented enhancements like separate right-turn traffic lights, lighted road studs, and advance warning lights.
• Lui noted that Lentor Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road have had no major accidents in the last three years but LTA will conduct a safety review for that junction based on the feedback.
• Lui stated that current penalties for motorists causing death through recklessness include up to five years' imprisonment, fines, and driving bans, and that the Singapore Police Force regularly reviews these penalties.
• The Minister emphasized that the penalty framework aligns with the Penal Code for unintentional deaths and will be adjusted if necessary.

The Fire Safety (Amendment) Bill aims to strengthen Singapore's fire safety framework by granting SCDF enhanced enforcement powers, including longer closure orders for non-compliant premises and increased penalties for serious offences.
It introduces new requirements for designated buildings to create Emergency Response Plans covering fire-related emergencies and to form competent Company Emergency Response Teams, with grace periods provided for compliance.
The bill also expands SCDF's investigative powers to cover a wider range of evidence and extends licensing and safety controls to petroleum pipelines and earthworks near them.

• Ms Irene Ng asked for accident and casualty statistics at pedestrian crossings from 2008 to 2012, and the Second Minister for Home Affairs provided averages showing 82 accidents per year, with 63% fewer casualties in 2012 compared to 2008.
• Ms Ng proposed stricter traffic rules to make vehicles stop completely at red lights when pedestrians have green, along with dedicated safety campaigns and harsher penalties for motorists who hit pedestrians.
• The Minister responded that traffic signal rules are under review by a committee, and while education and enforcement efforts continue, there is no immediate plan to enhance penalties as casualty numbers have been declining.

• Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Prime Minister about the status of CPIB investigations into NParks' purchase of 26 Brompton bicycles and when the outcome would be disclosed.
• Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean stated that CPIB investigated possible corruption indications based on internal audit findings, submitted the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers, conducted further investigations, and forwarded it to the Public Prosecutor for assessment.
• The case is currently under assessment by the Public Prosecutor, and no comments on the outcome can be made at this time.

• Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about breaches of outdoor rally rules in the 2011 Presidential Election and the 2013 Punggol East by-election.
• Teo Chee Hean stated there was only one breach in the 2011 Presidential Election, where a rally ended shortly after the permitted time, resulting in a verbal warning to the election agent.
• No breaches were detected during the 2013 Punggol East by-election.
• Police will continue to refine rules and penalties to ensure strict adherence to permit conditions.