Public safety & law

• Mr. Cai Yinzhou proposed a study to evaluate the cost savings from electrical fire prevention measures in HDB estates, focusing on property damage, healthcare, and emergency response costs.
• He emphasized the need for this evaluation to inform future regulatory policies regarding fire safety.
• Minister K Shanmugam acknowledged the suggestion and stated that Singapore's fire safety regulations are aligned with international standards and cost-effectiveness considerations.

• Melvin Yong raised concerns about regulatory safeguards for consumers using e-commerce platforms for C2C transactions, noting poor safety ratings for some platforms.
• K Shanmugam highlighted that Carousell and Facebook Marketplace have poor Transaction Safety Ratings but are required to comply with the E-Commerce Code of the Online Criminal Harms Act for user protection.
• Enhanced user verification measures were implemented in 2024, resulting in a significant decrease in e-commerce scams on both platforms.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is collaborating with Meta and Carousell to develop additional anti-scam measures and will take legal action if necessary.
• Consumers are advised to remain vigilant when using e-commerce platforms, especially those with low safety ratings.

• The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill aims to enhance penalties for scams, including introducing mandatory caning for scammers and scam syndicate members, while recalibrating caning for other offences.
• The Bill addresses the misuse of technology in crimes, particularly focusing on the circulation of obscene materials and the production of AI-generated intimate images, with increased penalties for such offences.
• Amendments are made to better protect minors and vulnerable victims, including extending penalties for sexual grooming and fatal abuse of vulnerable persons, with life imprisonment introduced for severe cases.
• The Bill strengthens protections for public servants against doxxing and harassment, removing the requirement for victims to prove distress and introducing new offences for false statements about public servants.
• The debate highlighted the need for effective enforcement and cross-border cooperation to combat scams, as many perpetrators operate from overseas, and emphasized the importance of public education to prevent scams.

• Denise Phua Lay Peng inquired about the outcomes of efforts to maintain orderliness at Waterloo Mall, particularly regarding illegal hawking near temples.
• The Senior Parliamentary Secretary reported on a 2020 street enhancement exercise by various agencies aimed at improving public health and safety, which included issuing Temporary Occupation Licences to licensed vendors.
• Joint operations are conducted regularly to enforce licensing conditions and manage unlicensed hawkers, who often have diverse backgrounds and challenges.
• Vulnerable individuals among the unlicensed hawkers are referred to support networks for assistance, addressing underlying issues contributing to illegal hawking.
• The presence of government agencies has generally improved order in the area, and they will continue to monitor the situation closely.

• Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about bullying and assault incidents outside temples along Waterloo Mall, particularly in relation to illegal hawking.
• The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sim Ann, confirmed that the Singapore Police Force conducts regular patrols and takes action against bullying and assault, especially during busy periods.
• Phua expressed gratitude for the efforts of various agencies but emphasized the need for more support for police officers to effectively protect vulnerable individuals involved in these incidents.
• Sim Ann reiterated that public disorder is unacceptable and highlighted the importance of collaboration with other agencies to address the complexities of the situation, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about additional safety measures following the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s report on the collision between Vox Maxima and Marine Honour. Jeffrey Siow stated that the report identified several causal factors and made six recommendations specifically for the company managing Vox Maxima. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has taken action against four crew members convicted under the Merchant Shipping Act. MPA has implemented emergency response protocols, updated training for harbour pilots, and modified the Vessel's Checklist for Piloted Movements to enhance safety measures. Long-term plans include assessing the feasibility of stationing harbour tugs in critical port areas for added support during mechanical or electrical failures.

Gabriel Lam asked if rehabilitation programs for offenders exhibiting violent behavior towards animals are available, how the Ministry coordinates with relevant services to manage high-risk individuals, and if mandatory counseling or therapy can be enforced alongside penalties. Chee Hong Tat responded that courts can impose a Mandatory Treatment Order, mandating psychiatric treatment for offenders in animal cruelty cases.

Shawn Loh asked if the Ministry of National Development could expand electrical wiring checks under the Home Improvement Programme and Enhancement for Active Seniors to include general wiring, incorporate checks at other upgrading milestones, and co-fund rewiring where fire risks are identified for seniors' safety. Chee Hong Tat responded that current checks focus on critical components due to higher risks associated with non-compliance. He noted that electrical fires can also stem from user behavior, such as overloading sockets, and advised residents to seek guidance from the Energy Market Authority for safety tips. For issues outside HDB's programmes, residents should contact a Licensed Electrical Worker, and HDB can assist in referring those needing financial help to support agencies.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns regarding measures to combat online hate speech and xenophobic abuse directed at new citizens. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that such hate speech is addressed similarly to that targeting citizens born in Singapore, under existing laws like the Broadcasting Act, which permits the Infocomm Media Development Authority to take down harmful content. The Penal Code and Online Criminal Harms Act also provide frameworks to penalize and restrict access to online hate speech that undermines racial harmony. Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to establish a new Online Safety Commission by 2026, aimed at supporting victims of online harms.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns about whether penalties for traffic offenses related to substance use, including vaping substances, are aligned with drink-driving penalties. K Shanmugam confirmed that the penalties for driving under the influence of drugs are the same as for drink-driving, with additional penalties for drug consumption. The Ministry reviews penalties periodically and will consider the suggestion for stronger deterrent measures.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions regarding the speeding prevalence of larger vehicles, including lorries and vans, particularly in overtaking lanes on major roads, and whether work-related pressures contribute to this behavior. K Shanmugam provided statistics on speeding violations for 2024 but noted that the Traffic Police do not track lane-specific speeding or the reasons behind it, with common excuses including lack of awareness of speed limits. He mentioned that foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines could be denied entry into Singapore until those fines are settled. The possibility of targeted enforcement for such vehicles was also raised.

Elysa Chen asked about estimates on the under-reporting of scam cases in Singapore and measures to encourage more victims to report incidents. K Shanmugam responded that the Ministry does not have estimates of under-reporting. He highlighted the national anti-scam campaign "I can ACT (Add, Check, Tell) against scams," which advises the public to report scams, and mentioned the distribution of an anti-scam resource guide by the Police to households since July 2025.

Wan Rizal requested information from the Home Affairs Minister regarding police activations for suicide risk over the last five years, including age breakdowns, average response times, officer training proportions, and post-incident partnerships. K Shanmugam explained that the police do not track the number of such activations but aim to respond within 15 minutes to suicide-related incidents. All frontline officers receive training to handle various incidents, including a Mental Health Awareness Course to recognize and engage with individuals facing mental health issues. The police collaborate with resources like DART and the Crisis Negotiation Unit for complex cases and have protocols for referring individuals to mental health professionals, such as the Crisis Response Team from the Institute of Mental Health.

Vikram Nair raised questions regarding the proportion of money mules arrested who are unwitting accomplices, recruitment methods used by criminal syndicates, and further measures to combat these issues. K Shanmugam explained that scammers recruit mules through online messaging and social media, offering payment for providing bank accounts and personal credentials. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a strong stance against mules, investigating over 3,500 cases in 2025, with over 500 charges filed. A new facility restriction framework has been implemented to limit scam mules' access to financial and telecommunications services while allowing them basic banking access, and individuals can appeal their restrictions if believed to be wrongful.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about measures to detect and deter racial or religious disharmony and whether more resources will be allocated for early detection and community resilience. K Shanmugam responded by highlighting the government's serious approach to incidents threatening harmony, citing a recent court case involving the Al-Istiqamah Mosque incident. The Ministry of Home Affairs employs a robust legal framework and works with the Police to address threats and enhance security around places of worship. Community initiatives, like the Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, foster intercultural understanding, while recent incidents have seen faith leaders uniting in solidarity against divisive actions. The ongoing collaboration between communities and authorities is essential for maintaining social harmony.

Fadli Fawzi requested an update on the investigation regarding the police report filed by the Board of SPH Media Holdings concerning overstated circulation figures for SPH news publications in 2023. K Shanmugam responded that the investigation is still ongoing.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the possibility of implementing stricter penalties for individuals providing unlicensed aesthetic treatments due to their growing demand. He also inquired about reviewing regulations for aesthetic procedures and introducing psychological screening guidelines for patients to address the risks of cosmetic procedure addiction. Ong Ye Kung responded that registered medical and dental practitioners are regulated under the Healthcare Services Act, and unauthorized providers already face significant penalties. The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and review these penalties to ensure effectiveness while maintaining public safety. He highlighted that practitioners must adhere to ethical guidelines to assess patients' psychological well-being before performing aesthetic procedures.

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about holding social media platforms accountable for impersonation scams targeting government officials in Singapore and suggested the need for transparency in reporting such incidents. K Shanmugam confirmed that Facebook is the primary platform used for these scams and outlined measures taken by the Singapore Police Force, which includes directives to Meta for better protection against impersonation. The government will collaborate with Meta to enhance protections for both government officials and other public figures. Additional requirements may be imposed on other online platforms based on the evolving scam landscape.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Acting Minister for Transport about collisions between cyclists and pedestrians on cycling paths adjacent to pedestrian-only paths, the lack of legal prohibition for pedestrians on these paths, and the possibility of introducing such a prohibition. Jeffrey Siow reported 20 accidents involving active mobility users and pedestrians between July 1 and August 31, 2025, but noted no tracking of collisions specifically on adjacent paths. The Code of Conduct for Active Mobility encourages users to stick to their designated paths to improve safety, and pedestrians can use cycling paths for flexibility when safe. The Land Transport Authority plans to enhance user education and awareness about safe path usage.

Cai Yinzhou questioned whether the Ministry would consider increasing penalties and seizure powers for unauthorized possession or manufacture of equipment, such as 3D printers, related to illegal vaping substances. K Shanmugam explained that under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is already an offense to manufacture or possess equipment intended for drug-related activities, with severe penalties including up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $200,000. He stated that Central Narcotics Bureau officers already have the authority to seize items used in drug offenses. The Ministry does not see the current penalties or seizure powers as needing review at this time.