Public safety & law

Denise Phua Lay Peng questioned the government about measures to investigate and prevent the spread of illegal obscene materials involving minors on private messaging platforms. K Shanmugam responded that the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) was introduced in 2023 to enable the government to issue directives to online service providers to restrict access to such materials and aid investigations. The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill has been proposed to enhance online safety, creating an Online Safety Commission (OSC) to assist victims and enable timely intervention against harmful materials. The OSC can issue directives to halt the circulation of abusive content when reports are received from victims.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the number of reported human trafficking victims and investigations into Singapore-registered companies related to scams involving illicit overseas recruitment. K Shanmugam reported that in 2024, 40 cases of alleged sex trafficking and five of labor trafficking were investigated, involving 53 victims, with no link to overseas scam recruitment. Authorities are currently investigating one Singapore-registered company related to scam activities, but further details are not available due to ongoing investigations.

The debate focused on the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill aimed at enhancing protections against online harms. Members expressed support for the establishment of the Commissioner of Online Safety (OSC), emphasizing its role in providing victims with timely relief and holding platforms accountable. Key points of concern included the operational efficiency of the OSC, ensuring that victims can easily report incidents, the need for clear communication on response times, and the importance of resources to handle numerous online harm cases. Discussions also touched on the Bill's balance between victim protection and preserving freedom of expression, with calls for comprehensive guidelines on what constitutes online harm and how platforms should respond. Amendments proposed by the Workers' Party to strengthen victim protections and clarify definitions of harms were debated and ultimately not adopted. The Bill is set to be a significant step in addressing online harms in Singapore.

• The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill (OSRA) aims to enhance protections against online harms, particularly for victims, by establishing the Office of the Commissioner of Online Safety (OSC) and providing clear pathways for redress.
• The Bill introduces statutory torts for online harms, allowing victims to seek civil recourse against perpetrators and online platforms that fail to act on harmful content, thereby promoting accountability and expediting the response to online threats.
• Concerns were raised about potential amendments, including a proposal to raise the evidentiary threshold for action from "reason to suspect" to "reasonable grounds to believe", which could delay victim relief and obstruct timely intervention.
• The debate highlighted the need for effective support for victims, especially young people, including accessible reporting mechanisms, psychological support, and the importance of a trauma-informed approach in handling cases of online harm.
• Overall, while the Bill is seen as a significant step forward in online safety, there are calls for ongoing assessment of its implementation effectiveness, including the training of OSC staff and systems for transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lam and Gabriel Lam raised concerns about police handling of missing children and child abuse cases, particularly in light of the tragic case of Megan, which highlighted failures in risk assessment and supervision. The Minister of State for Home Affairs provided insights into procedural reviews undertaken after Megan's death, emphasizing the need for improved prioritization and escalation of cases involving vulnerable children. Measures such as enhanced training for police officers, inter-agency cooperation, and the establishment of a social service coordination center were discussed as part of ongoing efforts to prevent future tragedies and streamline case management. The dialogue also touched on the importance of fostering a culture of collective responsibility among agencies and maintaining officer morale while ensuring accountability in child protection work.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns regarding individuals linked to criminal activities operating tax-exempt family offices in Singapore and questioned the due diligence measures taken by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, outlined Singapore's high regulatory standards and ongoing investigations into a money laundering case linked to Chen Zhi, noting that two family offices were identified and had their tax incentives ceased. MAS conducts thorough screenings and ongoing monitoring of family offices, aiming to refine regulations while maintaining competitiveness, as they reported only a small percentage of applications had been rejected. Tiong requested further measures for existing family offices linked to criminality, while Chee emphasized the need for a risk-proportionate approach to maintain Singapore's financial integrity and attractiveness. The session included a brief confrontation over language used during the debate, resulting in Tiong issuing an apology to the Minister.

• There has been a significant increase in fires involving Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) in early 2025, prompting calls for a review of the penalty framework for non-compliant devices.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) actively enforces regulations against the sale and use of non-compliant Active Mobility Devices (AMDs) and conducts regular operations to seize such devices.
• The Ministry of Transport and LTA are considering tougher enforcement measures, including potential legislative amendments to strengthen regulations on the online sale of non-compliant devices, with plans to implement these changes next year.

• There is a call for stronger regulatory measures to ensure private food delivery companies are accountable for the safety and traffic compliance of their delivery personnel.
• Proposed measures include mandatory training on traffic rules, wearing reflective attire, and using lights on vehicles at night, along with penalties for repeated safety breaches.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Traffic Police (TP) have existing measures to promote safe behavior among all road users, including delivery riders.
• Delivery platforms are responsible for the safety of their riders, including ensuring they have adequate insurance coverage while working.
• LTA and TP engage with food delivery platforms and industry partners to promote safe riding practices through campaigns and training initiatives.

• The debate focused on the accountability of users of non-compliant assisted mobility devices (AMDs) involved in fire incidents.
• Cai Yinzhou questioned whether the Ministry of Transport would prosecute these users under criminal law and consider civil liability measures for damages caused.
• Jeffrey Siow confirmed that it is illegal to use non-compliant devices and that enforcement actions are regularly conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
• He stated that existing laws allow for both criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages resulting from negligent acts involving AMDs.
• The Ministry will continue to enforce current regulations and promote electrical safety among users of these devices.