Public safety & law

• Ms. Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the support available for incarcerated Singaporeans to assist their dependants in need of community or legal help.
• The Minister of State for Home Affairs outlined that inmates can communicate their family needs through regular interviews, and Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are available to assist both inmates and their families.
• Inmates with children or elderly dependants are proactively identified for support, and trained social workers assess their families' needs to connect them with community resources.
• Yeo expressed concerns about inmates' anxiety regarding their dependants' well-being and the lack of trust in external support systems.
• The Minister assured that the ecosystem of care has been strengthened, with multiple avenues for families to seek help and report concerns about their loved ones.

• The Minister of State for Home Affairs reported that common causes of fires in indoor and multi-storey car parks include vehicular issues, electrical faults, and improperly disposed lighted materials.
• Fire incidents in these car parks have been low, with a gradual increase from 14 in 2020 to 36 in 2024, primarily due to vehicular fires, none of which involved electric vehicles (EVs).
• Fire safety measures in Singapore's car parks include fire-rated walls, ventilation systems, and sprinklers, which are regularly maintained and inspected.
• Concerns were raised about the challenges of extinguishing EV fires, which take longer to put out due to thermal runaway, and the need for guidelines on the placement of EV chargers in car parks.
• The government has developed guidelines for EV chargers to ensure safety, including compliance with safety distances and the installation of power cut-off switches.

• Over the past 10 years, there have been five bus passenger fatalities in Singapore, primarily involving elderly commuters who fell onboard.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented safety features on buses, such as priority seats, non-slip flooring, and training for bus captains to ensure the safety of elderly passengers.
• The government has accepted recommendations from the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce to enhance bus safety, including audio reminders and improved safety technology.
• There is a concern about the aging population and the need for further enhancements to bus safety features, particularly for seniors.
• The implementation of the task force's recommendations is planned to begin in the second half of 2025, with ongoing discussions about additional safety measures.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised concerns about the underreporting of sexual crimes and inquired if the Ministry for Home Affairs has data on unreported cases.
• He requested information on the average number of unreported sexual crime cases over the past five years and suggested collaboration with non-profit and civil society groups to investigate the issue.
• K Shanmugam responded that the Ministry cannot track unreported cases but engages with various stakeholders to understand and support the needs of sexual crime victims.

• The Minister for Home Affairs was asked to explain the fire safety protocols for electric vehicles (EVs) and how they compare to those for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, as well as measures to improve EV fire safety.
• Studies indicate that EVs have a lower rate of fire incidents compared to ICE and hybrid vehicles, but EV fires present higher safety risks, including potential explosions and re-ignition after extinguishment.
• Specific safety protocols for EV fires include larger safety buffer zones for first responders and extended monitoring after a fire is extinguished, along with quarantining the vehicle post-incident.
• All vehicles, including EVs, must adhere to international safety standards and undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance, while EV charging systems must meet national safety standards.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised questions regarding the provision of child car seats in taxis, referencing a pilot program by SMRT Taxis. Chee Hong Tat explained that taxis are exempt from requiring child seats for passengers under 1.35 meters, as they offer street-hail services where prior notification is not possible. Ride-hail services, however, must allow passengers to request child seats during booking. Families can also use their own child seats in taxis and private hire vehicles.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the increase in speeding violations in 2024 and the effectiveness of existing deterrent measures. K Shanmugam explained that the rise is partly due to enhanced enforcement efforts, including the activation of speed enforcement on red-light cameras, and possibly due to drivers speeding more. The Ministry plans to intensify public education to promote safety and compliance, increase enforcement, and implement harsher penalties for repeat offenders starting January 2026.

Joan Pereira requested data from the Minister for National Development regarding injuries to children under 12 from escalators over the past three years, including incidences of permanent disabilities and potential safety measures. Desmond Lee reported an average of 30 annual incidents involving children entrapments, mostly related to footwear, with about one-third requiring hospital treatment, but no permanent disabilities noted. Safety standards for escalators in Singapore align with international benchmarks, and most incidents were attributed to user behavior. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is working with stakeholders to promote escalator safety awareness through public education initiatives and outreach programs.

A proposal was presented to amend the Estate Agents Act 2010, Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act 1965, and Sale of Commercial Properties Act 1979 to implement recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force. The proposal was introduced by the Second Minister for National Development, Ms Indranee Rajah, and is scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting. The proposal will also be printed for distribution.

Xie Yao Quan inquired about actions taken by Montfort Secondary School regarding a recent bullying incident and urged a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, including centralized investigations and standardized punishments. Hazel Poa questioned whether an investigation into the incident had been launched and requested updates. Patrick Tay Teck Guan sought information on recourse for victims if bullying persists after formal reporting. The Minister for Education, Dr. Mohamad Maliki, confirmed the ministry's stance against bullying and outlined the procedures followed in investigations while emphasizing the importance of handling cases sensitively and accurately. He highlighted that the ministry aims to educate students through these incidents and ensure a safe learning environment.

Hazel Poa questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) policy regarding repeat offenders of fire safety regulations. The Minister of State for Home Affairs outlined an escalatory approach taken by SCDF, starting with abatement notices and fines for minor breaches, escalating to prosecution for serious and repeated offences. In light of a recent warehouse fire, Poa raised concerns about whether tougher measures against repeat offenders are needed. The Minister reaffirmed the seriousness of fire safety and emphasized continued inspections and enforcement. Dennis Tan proposed considering business suspensions for serious cases of persistent reoffending, to which the Minister replied that collaboration with other agencies is possible to ensure safety without compromising business continuity.

Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns about illegal carpooling arranged through online chatgroups and requested information on measures to combat this and whether a public education campaign on legal carpooling practices would be initiated. Dr. Amy Khor highlighted that the Land Transport Authority conducts enforcement actions against illegal carpooling, with heavy penalties for offenders. The use of informal platforms like Telegram for carpooling is illegal and poses safety risks, prompting the need for public awareness campaigns. Khor acknowledged the demand for carpooling but emphasized the importance of using licensed services for commuter safety and indicated plans to collaborate with associations on education efforts.

Hazel Poa questioned the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment regarding the types of waste stored at a warehouse that caught fire on February 19, 2025, and whether it exposed nearby residents to toxic pollutants. The Senior Minister of State revealed that the facility primarily handled general waste and was not licensed to store hazardous materials, with ongoing investigations to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The air quality in the vicinity remained normal during the fire, and NEA regularly inspects waste facilities to ensure adherence to fire safety laws, having conducted multiple inspections and issued warnings for non-compliance at the facility in question.

Joan Pereira raised concerns about traffic accidents in 2024 hitting a five-year high, asking for profiles of speeding motorists, potential adaptations to public education and penalties, reasons for speeding violations, and measures to reduce drink-driving incidents. Minister of State Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim reported that speeding offenders are predominantly male, Singapore Citizens, and car drivers, with various public education campaigns targeting road safety and vulnerable users. Common reasons for speeding violations include lack of awareness of speed limits and urgency, while increased penalties and stricter enforcement against drink driving are being implemented, including reviews of alcohol concentration limits. Additionally, the use of red-light cameras for speeding enforcement has shown effectiveness in deterring violations, with plans for further activation in 2025.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the rising two-year recidivism rate among inmates released from drug rehabilitation centres, inquiring about contributing factors, the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, and sources of drug supplies. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim explained that recidivism is influenced by familial and employment support, with higher rates observed among repeat offenders due to changes in the drug rehabilitation regime since 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs conducts regular reviews of rehabilitation effectiveness and has established the Re-integration Hub to support former inmates with employment and social reintegration. Additionally, drug accessibility through online platforms has been addressed through stringent enforcement measures, with 25 drug syndicates dismantled in the previous year. The Minister emphasized the importance of community collaboration in prevention and support for those recovering from drug abuse.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the increase in non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs) and AMD-related fires, asking for better detection measures, enforcement training, and increased inspections of retailers. Baey Yam Keng confirmed that a multi-faceted enforcement approach is in place, including collaboration with customs to prevent non-compliant AMDs from entering Singapore and regular training for enforcement officers. He noted efforts to strengthen regulations for online sales of AMDs and emphasized accountability for retailers selling non-compliant devices, as well as penalties for illegal modifications. Dennis Tan highlighted the need for stricter border control on illegal AMD imports and requested more resources for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to enhance enforcement against non-compliant devices.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the effects of prolonged exposure to harmful content on children's well-being and measures to ensure timely removal of such content by social media platforms. Josephine Teo stated the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable users, particularly children, through the Infocomm Media Development Authority's Code of Practice for Online Safety, which mandates safety measures for social media services. Recent assessments revealed shortcomings in user safety measures among six Designated Social Media Services, with some failing to effectively remove age-inappropriate content even after reports. The IMDA is engaging these platforms to improve safety measures and is researching the use of age assurance technology to protect children from unsuitable content. The Ministry currently lacks authoritative findings on the impact of prolonged exposure to harmful content.

Chong Kee Hiong asked about the number of child abuse allegations made by one spouse against another during divorce and custody disputes over the past three years. Masagos Zulkifli B M M reported that, on average, 13 such cases were investigated annually. Approximately seven of these cases were confirmed as true, while about six were found to be unsubstantiated.

Xie Yao Quan questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about a police investigation into a meeting of premium cab drivers at Changi Airport on February 13, 2025. K Shanmugam responded that the police made inquiries and found the meeting was a pre-planned dialogue regarding concerns about new minibus services. There were no strikes, protests, or law-and-order issues during the meeting. The police concluded that no offenses were disclosed and will not pursue further investigation.

Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai provided a clarification regarding the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code implemented in August 2024, stating that over 100 accused persons were released on personal bond for non-bailable offences. He clarified that this figure pertains to cases investigated by police and does not include those released by the courts. There is no precise data available regarding the total number released on personal bond for non-bailable offences by law enforcement or courts. The amendment is recent and still being monitored for its impact.