Public safety & law — Topics

22 Sep 2025

Proportion of HDB Flat Fires Linked to Electrical Causes that Occurred in Pre-1997 and Post-1997 Flats

In 2024, there were 218 HDB flat fires attributed to electrical faults.
Of these, 129 fires (59.2%) occurred in flats built in 1997 or earlier.
Among the older flats, 93 fires (42.7%) were in those undergoing or awaiting Home Improvement Programme works.
The remaining 89 fires (40.8%) occurred in flats built after 1997.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force does not specifically track if these electrical fires are due to faulty or old wiring.

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22 Sep 2025

Number and Causes of HDB Flat Fires that Resulted in Deaths and Injuries

Mr. Shawn Loh inquired about the causes and statistics of fire incidents in HDB flats from 2020 to 2024, specifically regarding deaths and injuries.
Minister K Shanmugam identified the top three causes of such fires as unattended cooking, electrical faults, and unattended lighted materials.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force does not differentiate between deaths and injuries occurring inside or outside the originating flat.

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22 Sep 2025

Breakdown of Property Types Where Fires Related to Power-assisted Personal Mobility Devices Occurred

Mr. Cai Yinzhou inquired about the annual statistics for fires related to power-assisted personal mobility devices over the past five years, specifying various property types.
The inquiry included owner-occupied HDB flats, public rental HDB flats, condominiums, landed houses, non-residential premises, and non-buildings.
Minister K Shanmugam responded by providing the requested data in a table format.

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22 Sep 2025

Number and Causes of Refuse Chute Fires

Victor Lye inquired about the percentage of refuse chute fires among all residential fires, the average monthly number of such fires, and their main causes over the last three years.
K Shanmugam responded that refuse chute fires are minor incidents primarily caused by the disposal of lighted materials like cigarette butts and are tracked separately from residential fires.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force reported an average of 54, 46, and 47 refuse chute fires per month in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

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22 Sep 2025

Strengthening Protection for Singapore’s Critical Information Infrastructure Given Rise in Advanced Persistent Threat Attacks

The rise in Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks against Singapore's critical infrastructure has prompted calls for enhanced safeguards and early detection measures for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) owners.
The Minister for Digital Development and Information highlighted a significant increase in APT attacks from 2021 to 2024, emphasizing the need for CII owners to adhere to cybersecurity standards and conduct regular testing and audits.
Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) collaborates with domestic and international partners to bolster cybersecurity, including participation in joint operations and exercises to prepare organizations for potential cyber crises.
The CSA is reviewing strategies to strengthen defenses against APTs, acknowledging the evolving nature of these threats and the importance of continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices.
There is a push for a whole-of-Government approach to raise awareness and preparedness for cyber threats beyond just CII operators, extending to businesses and the general public.

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22 Sep 2025

Allegation that Cyber Attacks against Information Systems of Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin Originated from Singapore

Pritam Singh raised concerns about allegations from the Chinese Embassy claiming that cyberattacks during the Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin originated from Singapore.
Mrs. Josephine Teo responded, emphasizing the borderless nature of cyber threats and the difficulty in tracing their true origins.
The Singapore government has found no evidence linking the attacks to Singapore and is committed to preventing the use of its digital infrastructure for malicious activities.
The Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team has offered assistance to Chinese authorities and is prepared to investigate further if provided with information.

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22 Sep 2025

Cause and Actions Taken for Sinkhole Formation at Tanjong Katong Road South in July 2025

The sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road South on 26 July 2025 was caused by the failure of a caisson ring during sewer construction works, leading to soil collapse.
An independent investigation by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and an internal investigation by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) are underway to determine the cause and prevent future incidents.
Safety assessments were conducted on surrounding roads, revealing no abnormalities, and affected road sections were progressively reopened starting 2 August 2025.
The investigations are ongoing, and preliminary findings have not yet been released; the process is expected to take several months.
Questions were raised by various members of parliament regarding the structural integrity checks, potential penalties, and lessons learned from the incident.

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22 Sep 2025

Causes for Increase in Outrage of Modesty Cases in 1H2025 and Longer-term Trends of Voyeurism Identified

There was a 21.2% increase in outrage of modesty cases in the first half of 2025, while voyeurism cases decreased by 2.3% compared to the previous year.
Over half of the outrage of modesty cases involved offenders known to the victims, with public transport being a significant location for incidents involving unknown offenders.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing initiatives to prevent sexual offenses, including training for school and community counselors and collaboration with public transport operators for crime advisories.
Public vigilance is emphasized as crucial in addressing these crimes, with initiatives like the "Riders-on-Watch" group encouraging commuters to report suspicious behavior.
The Ministry is exploring further steps to enhance protection for women and minors against such offenses.

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22 Sep 2025

Reasons for Non-detection of Overstayer who Surrendered Passport in 1996 and Measures to Prevent Similar Incidents

A woman who surrendered her passport in 1996 managed to overstay in Singapore for over 28 years without detection due to her low-profile lifestyle and lack of engagement with formal systems.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducts regular operations to detect overstayers, but some individuals can evade enforcement actions.
The ICA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman's daughter's Permanent Residency application for potential fraud or immigration offenses.
New measures are being implemented by the ICA to enhance the detection and arrest of overstayers in the future.

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22 Sep 2025

Detection of Illegal Purchases of Nicotine Pouches by Singaporeans

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the interception of illegal purchases of nicotine pouches from the SnusAsia website and the measures in place to control access to these products in Singapore.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has not found any illegal purchases from SnusAsia and is working to block the website due to its violation of tobacco advertisement laws.
The HSA actively monitors online sales of prohibited tobacco products and collaborates with various authorities to remove listings and prevent illegal imports at checkpoints.

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22 Sep 2025

Use of Facial Recognition Technology to Identify and Stop Perpetrators of Petty Crimes

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the use of facial recognition technology by the police to identify petty crime perpetrators, specifically regarding bicycle theft.
He also questioned the challenges faced in holding identified perpetrators accountable.
Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that facial recognition technology can be used in conjunction with available CCTV footage to identify culprits of petty theft.
The police will take appropriate follow-up actions based on the identification of these individuals.

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22 Sep 2025

Fires Related to Power-assisted Bicycles and Mobility Aids, and Encouraging Installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices in Public Rental Flats

The number of fire incidents in HDB estates has decreased over the past five years, but fires related to Active Mobility Devices (AMDs) remain a concern, with 187 incidents reported, primarily during charging.
A significant portion of AMD-related fires involved non-compliant devices, prompting the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to enhance regulations and enforcement against such devices.
The installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) in public rental flats is progressing, with over 80% already equipped, and the government is considering extending assistance for installation to other vulnerable groups.
The government is promoting fire safety through public education initiatives, including training on fire extinguisher use and a campaign to raise awareness about residential fire hazards.
The collective responsibility for fire safety is emphasized, with ongoing collaboration among various agencies to improve safety measures and community preparedness.

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22 Sep 2025

Data on Scam Losses, Scam Typology, Median Age of Victims and Time Taken for Freezing of Funds Following Restriction Orders

The debate focused on scam losses, victim demographics, recovery rates, and fund freezing times in Singapore.
Mr. Kwek Hian Chuan Henry requested detailed statistics on scam losses by type, median age of victims, recovery proportions, and fund freezing times from 2023 to 2025.
Minister K Shanmugam provided information indicating that the median age of scam victims is 43 years and that over $56.7 million in scam losses was recovered in the first half of the year.
The Police publish half-yearly Scam and Cybercrime Briefs that include data on common scam types and victim age groups.
The time taken to freeze funds after restriction orders is typically within hours or a day, although the Police do not specifically track this metric.

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22 Sep 2025

Post-incident Support for Scam Victims beyond Public Education Workshops and Fund Recovery Efforts

Elysa Chen inquired about recent measures to support scam victims beyond public education and fund recovery.
The Police have created a resource guide detailing steps for scam victims and available community support, accessible in all four official languages.
The resource guide is being distributed to households and is also available online on relevant websites.
The Police have established a Victim Care Cadre Programme, where volunteers provide psychological first aid and connect victims to further support resources.

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22 Sep 2025

Enhancing Border Controls and Extending Extra-territorial Provisions in Misuse of Drugs Act to Deter Smuggling of Vapes

The debate focused on enhancing border controls and extending the Misuse of Drugs Act's extra-territorial provisions to deter the smuggling of vapes, particularly those laced with controlled substances like etomidate.
Several parliament members raised concerns about the effectiveness of current border enforcement measures and the rising trend of youth vaping, prompting discussions on potential policy changes and increased penalties for smuggling.
The Minister for Home Affairs reported that significant enforcement actions have been taken, including the interception of over 500,000 e-vaporisers and the dismantling of trafficking syndicates, while also emphasizing the need for public education on the dangers of vaping.
There was a call for improved collaboration between various government agencies and the use of technology to enhance detection capabilities, especially in postal channels where many illegal products are smuggled.
The government plans to propose new legislation to enable faster responses to emerging drug threats, reflecting a proactive approach to drug enforcement and public health.

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22 Sep 2025

Number of Vape-related Arrests Made, and Update on Enforcement, Preventive and Rehabilitative Measures for Tackling Vaping

The Singapore government is intensifying efforts to combat vaping, particularly among youths, with recent statistics showing a significant number of arrests and cases of possession or use of e-vaporisers, especially among individuals under 25.
A whole-of-Government approach has been launched, including measures to curb online sales, enhance border enforcement, and classify etomidate as a Class C controlled drug to strengthen penalties against related offences.
Public engagement initiatives like the "Bin The Vape" program have led to the surrender of thousands of e-vaporisers, and rehabilitation programs have been introduced to support users seeking help.
The Ministry of Health is collaborating with various agencies to address the challenges posed by underground sales and the evolving landscape of substance abuse linked to vaping.
Future legislation is planned to provide comprehensive legal powers for enforcement against e-vaporisers and to ensure mandatory rehabilitation for offenders, with a focus on preventive education in schools.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Law

The Ministry of Law aims to uphold the Rule of Law and enhance public trust in Singapore's legal system while improving access to justice and strengthening Singapore's position as a global legal and intellectual property hub.
Initiatives include enhancing civil and criminal justice systems, promoting responsible online behavior, and creating a framework to support victims of online harm.
The Ministry plans to simplify legal processes, expand legal aid outreach, and improve family justice through therapeutic approaches, while also strengthening the insolvency framework to support economic stability.
Efforts will be made to maintain Singapore's competitive advantage in legal services through legal education, technology adoption, and international partnerships, alongside a refreshed IP Strategy 2030.
The Singapore Land Authority will optimize state assets for social outcomes and develop a Digital Conveyancing Portal to enhance property transaction processes.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Home Affairs

Singapore is recognized as one of the safest countries, but faces increasing global security challenges, including geopolitical tensions, terrorism, and sophisticated cyber and transnational crimes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) plans to strengthen laws and enhance partnerships to address emerging threats, including the introduction of new legislation targeting crime trends and road safety.
MHA is focusing on youth radicalization prevention through educational initiatives and is collaborating with health agencies to combat drug-related issues, including the rise of etomidate-laced vapes.
Technology plays a crucial role in MHA's strategy, with investments in AI and automation to improve law enforcement capabilities and service delivery, such as secure border control and inmate visitations.
Public trust in the Home Team remains high, with over 93% of respondents expressing confidence in their ability to maintain safety and security in Singapore.

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8 Apr 2025

Fitting Vehicles with Mandatory Speed Limiters Similar to Initiatives in European Union and Northern Ireland

Joan Pereira proposed the idea of mandating speed limiters for vehicles in Singapore, referencing similar initiatives in the European Union and Northern Ireland.
Chee Hong Tat explained that the EU initiative involves an Intelligent Speed Assistance system for newly registered vehicles, which differs from existing speed limiters for heavy goods vehicles in Singapore.
The EU is currently assessing the effectiveness and reliability of these technologies, and Singapore's Land Transport Authority will monitor these evaluations to enhance road safety.

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8 Apr 2025

Countering Glamourisation of Criminal Activities Online

The debate focused on the glamorisation of criminal activities online, particularly the "post-and-boast" culture prevalent on social media.
Mr. Yip Hon Weng inquired about targeted strategies and potential collaborations with social media companies to combat this issue.
Mrs. Josephine Teo emphasized that the government does not condone such behavior and highlighted existing regulations requiring social media platforms to minimize access to harmful content.
The government expects social media companies to enforce their community guidelines against illegal content and will continue to work with them to address emerging challenges.
The Police reminded the public to adhere to laws and warned that those participating in criminal acts online will face consequences.

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