Public safety & law

Rachel Ong raised concerns about the risks of generative AI models to the mental health and safety of children and youths in Singapore, inquiring about current and potential safeguarding measures. Josephine Teo responded that the government is assessing the impact of generative AI on young people and has established age assurance measures set to be implemented by March 2026 to limit underage access to inappropriate apps. Existing frameworks like the Model AI Governance Framework also guide responsible AI use in the context of online safety for youths. Additionally, education initiatives, such as Cyber Wellness and Mental Health lessons in schools, aim to promote safe and responsible technology use among students. The government continues to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance online safety for all Singaporeans.

Shawn Loh raised concerns about the need for block-wide fire alarms in HDB buildings to provide timely warnings, especially for seniors with mobility issues, following instances of fire evacuations. K. Shanmugam responded that individual home fire alarm devices (HFADs) are sufficient as block-wide evacuations are rare and unnecessary due to HDB design, which contains fires within individual flats. Additionally, he noted that a central alarm system could lead to false alarms from common activities, potentially desensitizing residents to the alarms.

Wan Rizal asked about the activation triggers and response timelines for police actions when minors are reported missing or at risk of self-harm, the use of technology for safety while ensuring privacy, and the coverage of training for frontline officers in trauma-informed care and suicide intervention. K Shanmugam responded that the police aim to reach vulnerable persons within 15 minutes of a report and may involve other agencies for assistance. Technology, such as reviewing CCTV footage and using drones, may be employed to aid searches, and public appeals for information can be made with family consent. Frontline officers receive training in trauma-informed interactions to effectively support those in distress.

The discussion focused on a proposed act aimed at providing timely redress for individuals affected by online harmful activities through the Commissioner of Online Safety and the courts. The act seeks to enhance online safety, deter harmful activities, and promote accountability in the online environment. It includes provisions for aligning and amending other Acts to support these objectives. The Minister for Digital Development and Information, Mrs. Josephine Teo, presented the proposal, which will be read a second time in a future parliamentary sitting.

Gho Sze Kee raised concerns about the 25 km/h speed limit for bicycles on shared paths, suggesting it may be unsafe for vulnerable pedestrians such as the elderly and children. Baey Yam Keng defended the current speed limit, stating it was determined through consultations and is appropriate for shared paths, which are designed to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. Dennis Tan Lip Fong expressed agreement with Gho's concerns and highlighted the need for better public education and enforcement to promote safe riding culture. Baey acknowledged the ongoing public education efforts since 2016 and reiterated that the speed limit is the maximum, and cyclists should be responsible for slowing down in crowded conditions. Overall, Baey emphasized the importance of a shared understanding and adherence to the rules for safe coexistence on paths.

• Over the past six years, there have been two drone incursions at Changi Airport, both in 2019, which caused flight delays and diversions but were not deemed national security threats.
• There have been no drone incursions at Seletar Airport during this period.
• The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) employs a multi-layered strategy that includes regulations, education, and enforcement to manage drone activities around aerodromes.
• CAAS has established a five-kilometre no-fly zone around Singapore's aerodromes and collaborates with various agencies to ensure the detection and neutralization of unlawful drones.

• Investigations into the fatal wall collapse at Toh Close on 17 September 2025 are ongoing, with the Ministry of Manpower and the Building and Construction Authority involved.
• Preliminary inspections indicate no structural safety concerns for surrounding buildings, and measures have been ordered to stabilize the affected retaining wall.
• Current safety requirements mandate checks on surrounding structures and adequate shoring during construction, but a review of these measures may occur after the investigations conclude.
• The Ministry of Manpower plans to share key findings and recommendations to enhance safety practices in the construction industry following the investigation.

• The Minister for Manpower outlined that all first-time migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must complete a Settling-In Programme (SIP) that includes safety training for high-risk tasks before starting work.
• The SIP training is conducted in the MDWs' native languages and is regularly updated, with the latest review occurring in May 2025.
• New employers of MDWs are required to attend an Employers' Orientation Programme that highlights their responsibilities for ensuring a safe work environment.
• Employers must sign a safety agreement with MDWs, committing to comply with safety regulations, particularly regarding cleaning high-rise windows.
• Employment agencies also provide pre-employment training for MDWs on safety practices related to common household tasks.

• Dr. Choo Pei Ling inquired about measures to enhance worker transport safety in light of vehicle-related workplace deaths.
• Minister Tan See Leng highlighted that work-related vehicular incidents include both public road accidents and workplace accidents involving vehicles.
• Employers are mandated by the Workplace Safety and Health Act to ensure vehicle safety, with guidelines provided by the WSH Council for traffic management and vehicle operation.
• The Ministry of Manpower promotes the use of technology, such as cameras and sensors, to prevent vehicular incidents and offers funding support for SMEs to adopt these solutions.
• The Ministry of Transport is also involved in improving worker transportation safety through strategies that reduce the need for transport and promote safer alternatives.

• Dr. Wan Rizal inquired about the safety incidents involving migrant domestic workers (MDWs), enforcement actions against employers or agencies, and insurance claim statistics over the past five years.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, reported an average of 35 safety incidents per year from 2020 to 2024, including falls and unsafe practices, with enforcement actions taken against all involved employers and three agencies for non-compliance.
• Mandatory orientation programs for first-time employers and MDWs cover essential safety practices, including training on safe window cleaning and fall prevention.
• Employment agencies are required to explain safety requirements and ensure safety agreements are signed before MDWs are deployed.
• The Ministry of Manpower does not track insurance claim statistics or average payouts for MDWs.

• Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns about the detection and interception of hazardous materials in the postal and delivery system following recent incidents involving dangerous parcels.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo responded that the Postal Services Regulations 2008 prohibit the mailing of dangerous items, including explosives and hazardous substances.
• Screening for dangerous parcels occurs at selective locations, such as borders, and SingPost staff are trained to identify suspicious packages.
• When suspicious mail is identified, it is referred to the Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force for assessment and containment.

• A survey revealed that only 37% of parents feel confident in guiding their children's digital habits, prompting discussions on stronger legislation for online safety.
• The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) is implementing age assurance measures for app stores by March 2026 to prevent underage access to inappropriate content.
• The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill will establish the Online Safety Commission by mid-2026, aimed at supporting victims of online harms like cyberbullying.
• The Commission will have the authority to issue directives to halt online harm and assist victims in seeking relief.
• MDDI is collaborating with various ministries and community organizations to provide parents with resources and support for fostering healthy digital habits in children.

• The debate focused on balancing appropriate punishment and rehabilitation for young offenders convicted of mischief, with an emphasis on corrective education and counseling to prevent re-offending.
• Courts consider various factors such as the severity of the offence, maturity of the youth, and risk of reoffending when determining appropriate measures, which may include probation, youth homes, or Reformative Training.
• Rehabilitation programs for youth offenders are tailored to individual risks and needs, incorporating emotional regulation, decision-making skills, and family support to aid in their reintegration.
• The youth offending rate has remained low, averaging 5.2 per 1,000 youths from 2019 to 2023, with recidivism rates below 10% for recent cohorts.
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development collaborates with various stakeholders to maintain low offending and reoffending rates among youth.

• Ms. Diana Pang Li Yen inquired about the Ministry of Social and Family Development's tracking of domestic child abduction cases and the potential for new legislation to expedite processes in such cases.
• The Minister, Masagos Zulkifli, highlighted existing measures for resolving child access disputes, including mediation and court applications, and recent changes to support parents and children.
• A mandatory co-parenting program for divorcing parents was introduced to prioritize children's well-being, along with enhanced enforcement measures for child access orders.
• The Minister stated there are no immediate plans for further changes or expedited processes, but the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation for potential future enhancements.

• The debate focused on the review of the clemency procedure for death row prisoners and their families regarding advance notification of petition outcomes.
• Fadli Fawzi inquired about the completion of the review and its outcomes.
• K Shanmugam explained that previously, notifications of clemency outcomes and execution dates were given simultaneously.
• Following the review, the Ministry of Home Affairs will now provide advance notification of clemency petition outcomes before informing about execution dates, provided the petition is submitted timely.

• Mr. Foo Cexiang raised concerns about the absence of a night blindness test in the visual requirements for obtaining a driving licence and suggested its implementation for road safety.
• Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that there is currently no specific test for night blindness, but applicants must declare any conditions that could impair their driving.
• If an applicant declares a condition like night blindness, they must undergo a medical test to prove their fitness to drive before being granted a licence.
• The Minister stated that the existing visual requirements for driving licences are deemed adequate for ensuring public safety.

• David Hoe raised concerns about emergency evacuation protocols for seniors and residents with mobility impairments during high-rise fires, suggesting community fire drills and pilot programs for refuge points and evacuation chairs.
• K Shanmugam explained that the SCDF prioritizes evacuating occupants from the fire-affected floor and the two floors above, while residents on other floors should remain in their units unless otherwise directed.
• Super high-rise buildings are equipped with refuge floors to provide safe holding areas, and residents unable to evacuate should stay in a safe room and await assistance.
• The SCDF has initiated community support programs, such as "Fire Safety Kakis," to assist vulnerable residents during fire emergencies.
• Further details on community fire drills and evacuation strategies were referenced in previous parliamentary discussions.

• David Hoe proposed that the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) enhance public reporting channels for suspected drug activity by making online reporting more visible on their homepage.
• K Shanmugam responded that there are existing channels for reporting, including emergency calls to 999 and a 24-hour hotline, as well as a non-urgent reporting option on the CNB website.
• The CNB is open to considering the suggestion to improve the prominence of online reporting.

• Mr. Cai Yinzhou raised a question about aligning penalties for possessing manufacturing equipment under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 with those under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 to combat domestic drug production.
• K Shanmugam responded that the Misuse of Drugs Act already criminalizes various aspects of drug manufacturing and possession, but does not criminalize the manufacturing of drug delivery systems due to their potential legitimate uses.
• The Minister concluded that the current legal provisions are sufficient and there is no need to align penalties between the two acts.

• The debate focused on the necessity of mass evacuation of train passengers onto tracks during emergencies and the methods to reduce such occurrences.
• Cai Yinzhou inquired about manual recovery methods and plans to enhance safety for commuters with mobility aids during evacuations.
• Jeffrey Siow explained that evacuation is a last resort, with protocols in place to ensure safety, especially for those with mobility challenges, and highlighted the role of trained officers and the Civil Defence Force in such situations.
• Newer trains are equipped with batteries to reach stations without traction power, and a Rail Reliability Taskforce has been established to improve incident response and reduce evacuation instances.