Public safety & law

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the response to five workplace fatalities in May 2025, specifically regarding participation in the voluntary safety timeout, number of inspections, and common safety lapses. Tan See Leng clarified that the Ministry of Manpower did not track participation in the Safety Time-Out held from 12 to 26 June 2025. Over 500 inspections were conducted in high-risk sectors between April and June 2025, resulting in three stop-work orders and 110 fines for safety breaches. Common violations included inadequate control measures for work-at-height hazards and lack of traffic management plans for vehicular safety.

Sharael Taha raised a question regarding the potential for stronger penalties for importers and distributors of vapes, similar to those for etomidate-laced vapes, due to concerns about drug delivery through vape devices. Ong Ye Kung noted that this question had been previously addressed in September 2025. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing legislation related to e-vaporisers and plans to establish appropriate penalties, with new legislation expected to be enacted in the first quarter of 2026.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the prevalence of Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) in pre-2018 HDB units and the rationale for not mandating HFADs in older blocks despite their requirement for new ones. K Shanmugam reported that approximately 17% of HDB flats have HFADs, with 39% of those being pre-2018 units. The government has encouraged HFAD installation in older flats while mandating it only during specific renovation works. More than 80% of public rental flats already have HFADs, with further installations planned at no cost to tenants. The Ministry of National Development has extended subsidies for seniors to install HFADs, but there are currently no plans to require HFADs in corridors or implement centralized fire management systems.

Cai Yinzhou raised concerns about recurring fires in HDB estates and proposed the establishment of a dedicated Task Force on Electrical Consumer Goods Fire Safety. K Shanmugam responded that the number of fires in HDB estates has decreased over the past five years, from 939 in 2020 to 803 in 2024. He highlighted that the Singapore Civil Defence Force works closely with various agencies and stakeholders to minimize fire risks in homes. The government intends to continue utilizing these partnerships to enhance fire safety.

Lee Hui Ying asked about the guidelines the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) and NParks use to determine the response to reports of animal cruelty or neglect, including warnings, fines, or prosecution. Chee Hong Tat explained that the Animals and Birds Act 1965 addresses animal cruelty with penalties that vary based on the severity of the offence, including enhanced punishments for repeat offenders. NParks is conducting a comprehensive review of the Act to improve deterrence against animal cruelty, which includes examining penalties and enforcement powers, while also engaging with stakeholders for input. The review will not cover proposals related to online animal abuse content or collaborative enforcement with animal welfare groups at this stage, and public consultation on the draft Bill is expected by late 2026. NParks remains committed to investigating animal welfare complaints thoroughly and has engaged in educational outreach to promote responsible pet ownership.

Joan Pereira asked about the trend of fire incidents in HDB flats and whether the SCDF would consider a comprehensive educational campaign for residents on emergency preparedness. K Shanmugam responded that fire incidents in HDB estates have actually decreased from 939 in 2020 to 803 in 2024. The SCDF offers outreach programs, including free training on fire safety and emergency response skills, as part of the SGSecure initiative. Regular block evacuation exercises are also conducted by the SCDF with the People Association.

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry inquired about the detection of foreign online influence operations from 2022 to 2025, including the number of operations, platforms used, their reach, and actions taken against them. K Shanmugam stated that the government does not disclose specific statistics or details due to operational reasons. He referred to press releases about the restriction of 95 social media accounts and the blocking of 10 inauthentic websites as examples of these operations, highlighting techniques such as coordinated amplification of narratives and imitation of local features in foreign-origin websites.

Fadli Fawzi raised questions about the prosecution of offences under the Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966, inquiring whether the government prosecutes such offences, how investigations are initiated, and the role of MUIS in these processes. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim explained that offences may be reported by the public or identified through community engagement, and not all cases warrant court prosecution due to their personal nature. MUIS may take alternative measures such as public education, religious counselling, and may file police reports when necessary. He mentioned there has been one recent prosecution under the Act for teaching false doctrine.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about work-related road fatalities and injuries in the first half of 2025, the installation timeline for mandatory lorry speed limiters, and safety plans for workers transported in lorries. K Shanmugam stated that data for 2025 injuries will be released next year, while 2024 recorded four fatalities and 20 major injuries. Lorries within certain weight categories must have speed limiters by deadlines ranging from January 2026 to July 2027, with initiatives underway to incentivize early installation. The Government is promoting worker safety by reducing transportation needs, encouraging bus use over lorries, and implementing protective measures for workers using lorries.

He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport if studies have been conducted to assess the economic impact of banning workers from being ferried on lorries and requested details of these studies. Jeffrey Siow highlighted the Ministry's focus on improving safety for all road users through various measures, including safety equipment for lorries and lower speed limits. He mentioned that while the economic impact of such a ban is challenging to quantify due to both direct and indirect effects, there are concerns about the need for additional bus drivers to replace lorry transport. The Ministry is committed to ongoing collaboration with industry partners to enhance worker transportation safety.

Poh Li San asked the Acting Minister for Transport about advancing the implementation of new rules for motorized personal mobility aids (PMA) and plans to communicate these changes to PMA users. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Ministry accepted recommendations to tighten PMA regulations to enhance safety and curb misuse, which include reducing the speed limit and requiring certification for mobility scooter use. The legislative amendments are planned for October 2025, with implementation expected in early 2026 to ensure a smooth transition for stakeholders. Publicity efforts and engagement with PMA users will be intensified to inform them about the upcoming changes.

Poh Li San questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about recovery efforts related to the $456 million lost to scams in the first half of 2025. K Shanmugam reported that over $56.7 million was successfully recovered, which includes funds frozen in scammers' bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. Approximately 7,200 out of 19,665 reported scam cases saw successful recovery efforts, translating to about 37% success. The complexity of laundering scam proceeds poses significant challenges in the recovery process, particularly when funds are transferred overseas.

Vikram Nair raised concerns about increasing cases of government impersonation and phishing scams, inquiring about measures to combat these issues. K Shanmugam acknowledged these scams as serious problems, constituting a significant percentage of scam cases and losses. The government is implementing measures such as a standardized caller ID for outgoing calls from commonly impersonated agencies and enhancing safeguards on online platforms against impersonation. Additionally, efforts are being made to counter phishing scams by requiring online service providers to adopt user verification and detection measures. Shanmugam emphasized the importance of public vigilance in identifying and reporting potential scams.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the completion timeline for the independent review related to the sinkhole incident on 26 July 2025 at Tanjong Katong Road South, the frequency of sewer shaft inspections, and additional safety measures for workers at similar sites. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that these questions have been addressed in previous parliamentary responses on 22 September 2025 and directed him to refer to those answers for detailed information.

Edward Chia Bing Hui questioned the considerations guiding Singapore's approach to cross-border ride-hailing and how to balance user convenience with local driver protections. Jeffrey Siow reported that since July 2025, enforcement against unlicensed foreign vehicles providing P2P services has increased, resulting in over 70 vehicle seizures, aimed at ensuring passenger safety and supporting local drivers' livelihoods. The government plans to enhance the Cross-Border Taxi Scheme and develop new options for diverse passenger needs, while continuing to enforce against illegal services with increased penalties. Ongoing discussions with the National Taxi Association and National Private Hire Vehicles Association will inform these efforts, incorporating feedback to maintain safety while addressing commuter demand.

• Mr. Cai Yinzhou inquired about the feasibility of establishing safe charging zones at HDB void decks to mitigate fire risks associated with Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs).
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented safety standards for motorised PMAs and Power-Assisted Bicycles but noted the absence of recognized fire safety standards for Personal Mobility Aids.
• LTA plans to continue reviewing guidelines for the safe storage and charging of Active Mobility Devices (AMDs) and will enhance public education on fire safety related to these devices.
• The ongoing Be-Device-Safe program aims to inform AMD users about fire risks and safe usage practices, including proper charging methods.

• The debate focused on reviewing the penalties for animal cruelty under the Animals and Birds Act, with calls for sufficient deterrence and enhanced enforcement capabilities.
• Questions were raised about the status of the review process, including potential amendments to increase penalties and introduce measures like mandatory ownership bans.
• Concerns were expressed regarding the rise in cat abuse cases and the need for provisions to prevent the online posting of animal abuse content.
• The National Parks Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Act, engaging with stakeholders, and aims to start public consultation on proposed changes by the end of 2026.
• NParks is committed to thorough investigations of animal cruelty cases and increasing public education on responsible pet ownership and the legal consequences of animal abuse.

• Ms. He Ting Ru raised concerns about the safety protocols for overseas school trips following a fatal accident involving a privately funded school.
• She inquired whether the Ministry of Education (MOE) is reviewing these protocols and considering standardised safety measures for all schools.
• Minister Desmond Lee confirmed that the MOE regularly reviews safety protocols for its schools, but non-MOE schools have the autonomy to set their own safety policies.

• David Hoe raised concerns about the need for formal cross-agency triggers to prompt Child Protection Services follow-ups on potential child abuse or neglect cases, specifically mentioning chronic absenteeism and caregiver incarceration.
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has established processes with schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to identify and respond to suspected child abuse or neglect cases.
• Schools utilize specific screening guides and reporting protocols, while hospitals are required to report non-accidental injuries to the police and social workers.
• MSF has existing data-sharing arrangements with various agencies and is open to assessing and implementing additional data alerts and triggers for more effective responses.

• Ms. Joan Pereira inquired about the safety measures for self-use facilities in SAF camps, specifically regarding swimming pools and fitness equipment.
• Chan Chun Sing explained that SAF personnel can engage in self-initiated physical activities but must take precautions, such as staying contactable and pairing with a buddy for activities outside the camp.
• Gyms and swimming pools are staffed with duty personnel or lifeguards during operating hours, but personnel can use these facilities unsupervised outside of these hours if they follow safety protocols.
• New precautions for swimming activities were introduced, prohibiting personnel from swimming alone in pools without lifeguards present.