Public safety & law

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the appeal options for bankrupt individuals regarding decisions made by their official assignee under the Private Trustees in Bankruptcy regime. Edwin Tong clarified that the High Court appoints either a private trustee or the Official Assignee to manage a bankrupt's estate. He noted that bankrupts with a private trustee can appeal to the High Court over the trustee's actions and also file complaints with the Official Assignee regarding the trustee's conduct.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked for statistics on hit-and-run accidents involving cyclists or active mobility device users over the last three years, specifically regarding the number of incidents, pedestrian injuries, and the resolution rates. K Shanmugam reported 12 such accidents from 2023 to November 2025, with eight resulting in pedestrian injuries. Only one suspect has been identified, highlighting the challenges in investigating these cases due to the lack of registration numbers and limited camera coverage in accident areas.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked if the Government plans to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act following a recent legal case, suggesting broader corporate liability measures. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Act is crucial in the fight against corruption and that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) regularly reviews it to address any legislative gaps. CPIB is currently examining the implications of the case mentioned and will report back to Parliament if necessary.

Ng Shi Xuan raised concerns about reviewing fire escape routes for corner HDB units that may be blocked during a fire and suggested mandating regular fire drills for HDB estates. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that HDB blocks are designed to meet Fire Code requirements, including well-ventilated escape routes and safe exit staircases. In case of a fire, residents are advised to stay in an unaffected room, seal gaps to prevent smoke entry, and call for assistance. While regular fire drills are not mandated, fire evacuation exercises are conducted by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Community Emergency and Engagement Committees to help residents familiarize themselves with escape routes.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the enforcement of orders from the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) issued between 2020 and 2024, including the number of applications filed and the rate of enforcement. Edwin Tong Chun Fai reported that 69 applications for Special Directions and 13 for Exclusion Orders were submitted, with approximately 30% resulting in an enforcement order. Breaching a CDRT order constitutes contempt of court, carrying penalties including fines or imprisonment. Claimants typically monitor compliance with CDRT orders, but the Community Relations Unit can assist in severe cases.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Government has assessed how social media algorithms amplify scam content and if there are plans to require platforms to show only content users explicitly follow. K Shanmugam responded that the Online Criminal Harms Act already imposes preemptive anti-scam measures on online platforms, focusing on reducing scam circulation through advertiser verification and user reporting. The Government plans to tighten anti-scam requirements further but believes it is unreasonable to mandate that platforms only display user-requested content, as this could hinder legitimate advertising and may not effectively prevent scams.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo raised concerns regarding the regulation of pet grooming facilities, specifically asking if the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) will consider mandatory CCTV recordings in these facilities and retain footage for investigations. She also inquired about measures to strengthen enforcement against non-compliant pet businesses and whether enhanced penalties for serious negligence may be included in the review of the Animals and Birds Act (ABA). Minister of State Alvin Tan confirmed that existing maximum penalties for animal cruelty apply to pet businesses and that NParks has investigated 54 cases of harm to pets in the last three years. The regulatory framework for the pet sector, including grooming businesses, is under review, with considerations for improved supervision protocols, better complaint handling processes, and the introduction of mandatory certification for groomers being taken into account.

Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the investigation into an Indonesian trafficking ring involving baby transfers to Singapore, asking the Minister for clarity on the number of adoptions under review and how affected families can receive swift resolution and assistance. The Minister of State, Goh Pei Ming, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the Singapore Government is cooperating with Indonesian authorities, but could not provide a timeline for resolution. He acknowledged the anxiety of affected families, emphasized the separation between adoption and citizenship processes, and stated that MSF would assess financial assistance for families facing unexpected childcare expenses. Lim questioned the responsibility of adoption agencies in identifying suspicious circumstances before adoptions were finalized. Goh noted that agencies are required to conduct due diligence and would face consequences if they knowingly facilitated adoptions involving children of questionable origin.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised a question about the potential for compulsory insurance for all Personal Mobility Device (PMD) users to protect pedestrians and PMD users in accident scenarios. Jeffrey Siow responded that commercial riders are required to have third-party liability insurance while using active mobility devices on public paths, but insurance is encouraged, not mandated, for other PMD users to shield against claims.

Charlene Chen raised concerns about safety measures for bus commuters, particularly vulnerable groups, regarding fast-moving cyclists near bus stops. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority builds cycling paths behind bus stops and implements "SLOW" markings and speed strips to remind cyclists to reduce speed. He also mentioned enforcement actions against reckless cycling at bus stops to enhance safety.

Lee Hong Chuang raised concerns about the safety of transporting workers in the rear of lorries and inquired about potential reviews of regulations and standards. Jeffrey Siow responded that government agencies, along with tripartite partners and NGOs, have implemented measures to enhance worker safety, including canopy requirements, higher side railings, lower speed limits, and minimum space requirements. Ongoing collaboration with the industry and NGOs will continue to explore further safety improvements.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked about trends in verbal abuse or physical assaults against teachers from students or parents, citing OECD findings that about 5% of teachers experience such issues. Desmond Lee referred to a previous response regarding student abuse of teachers and noted that cases of parent abuse remain low. The Ministry of Education has updated the Guidelines for School-Home Partnership to promote respectful communication and positive behavior. The MOE's Engagement Charter outlines firm actions against abusive parents, including possible criminal charges under the Protection from Harassment Act.

Choo Pei Ling asked if all consumer IP cameras and smart doorbells sold in Singapore need assessment under the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) to help consumers choose secure devices. Josephine Teo explained that CLS assessments are currently voluntary, except for routers, which must meet Level 1 requirements. The Ministry is reviewing whether more digital devices, including IP cameras, should require CLS assessment. She emphasized the importance of consumers purchasing CLS-labelled devices and adopting good cyber hygiene practices to protect against cyber threats.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about the possibility of including child abuse offences under the Children and Young Persons Act 1993 in the Third Schedule of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949, preventing individuals from having their criminal records spent. Masagos Zulkifli stated that individuals convicted of relevant offences under the Children and Young Persons Act, which carry severe penalties, are already disqualified from having their records spent. He noted that more serious cases could lead to convictions under the Penal Code, which also disqualifies individuals from having their records spent. The Ministry of Social and Family Development will collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to improve safeguards for children's safety.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised concerns regarding fire safety standards for the mass storage and charging of large quantities of lithium-ion batteries in workplaces. K Shanmugam responded that the Fire Code includes specific requirements for energy storage systems, such as fire-rated compartments, limits on stored energy, and enhanced sprinklers and ventilation systems. These requirements are based on international standards and were developed through consultations with industry stakeholders. The Singapore Civil Defence Force frequently reviews the Fire Code to maintain its relevance and effectiveness.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked about the annual incidents of licensed liquor sellers selling alcohol to underage persons and the frequency of spot checks conducted at these establishments over the past five years. K Shanmugam provided data indicating that there were 32, 23, 13, 11, and 12 cases from 2021 to 2025. He mentioned that the Police perform regular enforcement checks, with frequency varying based on public feedback and observations.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the rationale behind selecting 11 locations for new Traffic Violation Enforcement Cameras since September 2025 and inquired about the possibility of deploying more cameras in high-risk areas like school zones. K Shanmugam responded that mobile traffic enforcement cameras are placed in areas with higher accident and violation risks and mentioned that cameras may be redeployed or added based on ongoing risk assessments.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about the recidivism rates for child sexual abuse offences over two, five, and ten years. K Shanmugam presented statistics indicating that the two-year and five-year recidivism rates for local offenders incarcerated for such offences are generally low but can fluctuate due to the small number of offenders released annually.

Darryl David raised concerns about standardized protocols for reviewing CCTV footage in government primary schools to reduce risks of abuse among younger students. Desmond Lee explained that the Ministry of Education (MOE) implements measures for student safety, including training school personnel to identify and report signs of distress. Students are educated on personal safety and abuse prevention from Primary 1, with established protocols for classroom safety, such as keeping doors open and avoiding seclusion with instructors. While schools review CCTV footage in cases of suspected abuse, regular reviews are not practical due to camera placement in high-traffic areas. MOE will continue to assess and update safety measures in schools.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned how the Singapore Police Force classifies a case as a scam when a seller fails to complete a transaction affecting multiple buyers and how this differs from civil or commercial disputes. K Shanmugam explained that sellers who deceive buyers with no intent to deliver goods can be charged with cheating, while those without fraudulent intent would lead to civil remedies instead. The Police evaluate the specifics of each case to determine if it's a scam, considering factors like seller impersonation or uncontactability after payment.