Public safety & law

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about plans to support small and medium enterprises in managing fire risks following a recent fire incident at an industrial estate. K Shanmugam emphasized that it is the responsibility of all businesses to comply with fire safety regulations and workplace safety laws. Resources are available for businesses, including guidelines on handling flammable materials and fire safety advisories from the SCDF. Businesses can participate in the SCDF's Responders Plus Programme for free training on emergency preparedness, including the use of fire extinguishers and CPR.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye questioned the Prime Minister about the effectiveness of current protective measures by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) against scams and potential plans for stronger safeguards for credit card issuers. In response, Gan Kim Yong emphasized a collective government effort to combat scams, highlighting ongoing collaborations between MAS and banks to enhance security measures. Key initiatives include the introduction of Money Lock accounts, discontinuation of SMS One-Time Passwords for high-risk transactions, and increased fraud surveillance. Despite a reported decrease in scam cases and losses, Gan Kim Yong urged vigilance, noting that the scam landscape continues to evolve.

Sylvia Lim questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the status of the Genneva Pte Ltd gold investment scam, specifically regarding pending cases, recovered proceeds, and victims' claims. K Shanmugam stated that the Police concluded their investigation years ago and that six individuals were charged, with five convicted so far. Properties worth over S$1.5 million have been seized, and the Police will file to distribute these to claimants, although the process will take time due to a large number of potential claimants. Victims will be notified about filing claims in due course.

Choo Pei Ling asked about the preparation needed for installing AEDs in newly developed estates like Tengah, the timeline for their installation, and interim measures for emergency preparedness before AEDs are deployed. Sim Ann responded that the SCDF must complete relevant infrastructure and security measures before installation, with 29 AEDs already in Tengah and 11 more planned by February 2026, covering about 70% of occupied HDB blocks. SCDF organizes community events to promote emergency preparedness and life-saving skills, and the "My Responder Plus" program encourages community involvement in these initiatives. Pei Ling emphasized the importance of timely access to life-saving equipment in new towns.

Charlene Chen asked about the number of vehicles penalized for illegal exhaust modifications and noise emission breaches over the past two years, and whether there would be strengthened enforcement or penalties due to the negative impact on residents. Jeffrey Siow responded that approximately 1,600 vehicle owners were penalized for illegal exhaust modifications and 350 for noise breaches in that period. He also mentioned that the upcoming Land Transport and Related Matters Bill will introduce heavier penalties for illegal exhaust modifications.

Victor Lye raised concerns about potential tunnel squatting and the safety of Singapore's road and subway tunnels. Jeffrey Siow explained that tunnel squatting is less likely in Singapore's rectangular road tunnels built using the cut-and-cover method, and no significant deformation has been detected. He confirmed that Singapore's tunnel construction and monitoring standards meet international best practices and are on par with cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Comprehensive protocols are in place for construction activities near tunnels, requiring developers to obtain LTA approval and conduct regular monitoring and inspections.

Cai Yinzhou asked whether the Ministry of Manpower incorporated lessons from the Ministry of Defence's operational policies on heat stress and driving fatigue into the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) guidelines for migrant workers and commercial drivers. Tan See Leng responded that the WSH guidelines are developed with input from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defence, and relevant military practices have been adapted where applicable. Enhancements from the military include measures for heat stress management, such as acclimatisation programs and rest breaks, as well as guidelines on fatigue management for commercial drivers that recommend reporting mechanisms and sufficient rest periods.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of unsafe workplace practice complaints reported via SnapSAFE in 2025 and the outcome of reports made in 2024 and 2025. Tan See Leng reported approximately 1,700 unsafe workplace practice reports received via SnapSAFE in 2025. Around 70% of the reports from 2024 and 2025 resulted in enforcement actions or warnings. The remaining reports lacked sufficient information for follow-up or did not identify work-related lapses.

Gho Sze Kee raised concerns about child safety in preschools following a molestation case, asking about the possibility of mandatory psychological assessments and extended background checks for all preschool staff, including non-teaching personnel. Masagos Zulkifli responded that preschool operators must seek approval from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) for all staff, which includes checks to ensure individuals do not pose a risk to children. While ECDA does not require mandatory psychological screening, staff must clear a pre-employment medical check and declare any past psychiatric issues. False declarations can lead to significant penalties, including fines or imprisonment, and can result in the cancellation of approval to work in preschools.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked whether the "agony of the moment" defense would be codified in the Penal Code for negligent driving cases involving sudden pedestrian or cyclist actions. K Shanmugam responded that the current standard of care in the Road Traffic Act and the Penal Code already considers a reasonable driver's reaction to unforeseen circumstances. He indicated that there is no need to codify the "agony of the moment" defense, as reasonable actions by drivers would not constitute negligent driving.

Diana Pang Li Yen questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about fire safety measures for severe hoarding cases in high-rise public housing and their associated risks. K Shanmugam explained that HDB units are designed to limit fire spread and ensure safe evacuation, while severe hoarding can obstruct escape routes, posing risks to residents. He noted that a coordinated approach is taken to manage hoarding through various agencies and community support. Although hoarding is generally a personal matter, there can be legal actions for non-compliance with fire safety directives, including fines or imprisonment. The government will monitor the situation and may implement further regulations if needed.

Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about fire safety measures and inspection practices for high-rise building renovations following a recent fire in Hong Kong. K Shanmugam stated that the Singapore Civil Defence Force conducts regular enforcement checks to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements and that the Ministry of Manpower oversees worksite safety. The government is reviewing findings from the Hong Kong fire investigation to determine if regulations related to construction and maintenance of residential buildings need to be strengthened. The results of this review will be communicated later.

Ng Chee Meng asked for statistics on personal mobility aids, devices, and bicycles related incidents causing grievous injuries from 2023 to 2025. Jeffrey Siow reported approximately 710 such accidents resulting in injuries during that period. Out of these, around 590 incidents occurred on roads, while about 120 occurred off-road, including on public paths.

Darryl David questioned the Ministry for Social and Family Development about the background checks for educators and non-teaching staff in early childhood education settings. Masagos Zulkifli explained that preschool operators must apply to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) for staff approval, which includes checks to ensure individuals do not pose a safety risk to children. Candidates must complete a self-declaration form regarding any prior offences and provide a pre-employment medical report confirming their fitness for work, including disclosures about psychiatric history. Preschools also implement their own recruitment procedures, such as interviews and reference checks.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the rising battery fire incidents from Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) and suggested piloting fire-rated outdoor charging cabinets in HDB void decks or carparks, potentially with subsidized electricity rates. Chee Hong Tat responded that agencies are monitoring PMD ownership and charging practices, and while they evaluate overseas models, local context must be considered, including potential space trade-offs for residents. He emphasized the importance of preventing fires by ensuring PMDs meet safety standards, advocating for compliance in device purchases, and mentioned plans to strengthen regulations on non-compliant PMDs and their online sales.

Darryl David asked about the background safeguarding checks for educators and non-teaching staff in Government schools. Desmond Lee explained that the Ministry of Education conducts pre-employment background checks on all prospective employees to ensure student safety and professional conduct. These checks include criminal record screenings, reference checks with previous employers or referees, and credit screenings for finance-related positions.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns about accountability for preschool operators regarding child abuse incidents due to staff unqualified for child-minding. Masagos Zulkifli outlined that preschools must comply with the Early Childhood Development Centre Act and regulate staff deployment, with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) overseeing this process. Errant operators face penalties, corrective action plans, or license revocation, while individual staff may receive retraining or have their approval canceled. The Ministry prioritizes child safety and is committed to continually reviewing and enhancing safeguards in preschools.

Joan Pereira questioned the Acting Minister for Transport on cybersecurity measures for electric public buses from a Chinese manufacturer, specifically regarding the deactivation of remote controls and optimization of vehicle performance without over-the-air updates. Melvin Yong raised concerns about safeguards for electric vehicles prior to any over-the-air updates. Jeffrey Siow explained that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) employs a risk-tiered approach to cybersecurity, requiring motor dealers to declare over-the-air capabilities and seeking prior approval for significant OTA modifications. LTA mandates compliance with international cybersecurity regulations for electric buses and assures that software updates are currently performed on-site by authorized personnel after LTA verification. Additionally, LTA is working with government cybersecurity agencies to transition safely to OTA updates for public buses.

Lee Hui Ying asked about the criteria the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) uses to decide if a preschool should remain operational after reports of child mismanagement or abuse. Masagos Zulkifli emphasized that ECDA imposes penalties based on the severity of the breach, which could include financial penalties or licence revocation. The agency assesses the circumstances, including the safety of continuing operations and the nature of the breaches before making decisions. Child safety remains a top priority for the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and ECDA aims to ensure compliance among preschool operators.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the recourse and penalties for companies that do not comply with anti-competitive merger directions from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS). Gan Kim Yong explained that under the Competition Act 2004, CCS can issue binding directions to manage such mergers and impose financial penalties. If a company disregards a CCS direction, CCS can register the direction with the Courts, where non-compliance may lead to contempt of court charges, resulting in fines up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months.