Public safety & law

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, clarified a previous statement regarding scam losses on e-commerce platforms. She specified that the reported decreases were for the first six months of 2024, with a 10% decrease on Carousell and a 60% decrease on Facebook Marketplace. Sun acknowledged that her earlier clarification to Mr. Vikram Nair may have been unclear and aimed to correct the record. The Chairman acknowledged her clarification before moving on with the proceedings.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim moved to reduce the budget for the Ministry of Law, highlighting Singapore's status as a leading international dispute resolution hub and the growing demand for updates in the legal sector. Various members raised concerns regarding online harms, enforcement of court judgments, and accessibility of justice for vulnerable populations in light of rising cyberbullying incidents and the challenges of navigating the legal system. The Minister for Law outlined plans for enhancing legal processes, including the establishment of a new agency to address online harms and legislative reforms to improve enforcement effectiveness, as well as initiatives to support legal professionals and improve public awareness of legal rights. There was also discussion about the need for ongoing education and adaptation in the legal profession amid advancements in technology, particularly related to intellectual property and online safety.

The debate addressed several key areas concerning the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat scams, as well as initiatives for rehabilitating drug abusers and ex-offenders. The Home Team is leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to enhance operational effectiveness, particularly in detecting and preventing crimes, including scams which saw significant financial losses in 2024. MHA emphasized the importance of community involvement and public trust in maintaining safety and security, while outlining the challenges posed by technology and declining manpower. The session concluded with an emphasis on educational and rehabilitative efforts related to drug abuse and social reintegration for offenders.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Transport about the safety standards for pedestrian crossing bollards and their effectiveness in protecting pedestrians from vehicle collisions. Dr. Amy Khor clarified that the bollards installed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are designed to absorb impact and protect pedestrians, but they are not as rigid as security bollards meant for critical infrastructure. She emphasized that these safety bollards balance protecting both pedestrians and vehicle passengers while improving visibility for motorists at crossings. Giam raised concerns about public perception that the bollards provide complete protection, to which Khor acknowledged the need for road safety education and emphasized the role of user behavior in safety outcomes.

Tan Wu Meng raised concerns regarding food poisoning symptoms in students from the School of the Arts who consumed ready-to-eat meals as part of the Total Defence activities, seeking clarity on the causes and necessary food safety studies. Yip Hon Weng questioned the vetting processes for suppliers and potential enhancements to food safety checks following the incident, while Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the extent of contamination and penal actions against the food supplier, SATS. The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment provided updates on ongoing investigations, confirmed that no foodborne pathogens were found in tested samples, and emphasized the importance of reviewing safety processes and enhancing public trust in food safety regulations. The program is currently suspended pending further investigations, with assurances that the lessons learned will inform future food resilience efforts.

• The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) received approximately 4,000 to 5,000 vaping-related cases from the Police over the past two years, with only one case involving a parent referral.
• Parents concerned about their children's vaping can contact the Health Promotion Board (HPB) for support and counseling, with no enforcement action taken against the children.
• There are concerns that the current approach may discourage parents from seeking help for their children, as evidenced by a case where a child was fined after being reported to the Police by their parents.
• The Minister of State for Health emphasized the importance of a nuanced approach to such cases, encouraging parents to use the HPB hotline for assistance rather than reporting to the Police.
• The HPB provides support for vaping cessation similar to its smoking cessation services, allowing individuals to seek help voluntarily.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ms Sun Xueling, addressed the proposal for a consolidated fund to help victims recover lost amounts due to financial crimes, stating that various proposals are under consideration. She acknowledged the challenges involved but emphasized the importance of compensating victims and returning recovered scam proceeds to them. A clarification was issued to correct her earlier statement, specifying that the focus is on returning scam proceeds rather than compensating victims directly.

Hazel Poa requested data from the Minister for Transport regarding injuries and fatalities among workers on Work Permits or S Passes transported on lorries over the last decade. Chee Hong Tat reported a more than 25% reduction in injuries from 215 (2015-2019) to 161 (2020-2024) and noted an average of one fatality per year over the past ten years. The Ministry does not track the specific permits of workers involved in these accidents, focusing instead on overall worker safety improvements.

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Manpower about investigations into employers allegedly receiving kickbacks from migrant workers. Tan See Leng reported that in 2024, the Ministry investigated approximately 250 cases, resulting in enforcement actions against 51 employers and prosecution of 12. On average, eight migrant workers were affected per employer, with each paying about $6,600 in kickbacks.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns to the Minister for Home Affairs about the rise in road accidents since 2020, specifically asking for data on lane hogging, potential increases in penalties, and the impact of rear-end collisions near red-light cameras. K Shanmugam responded that the Traffic Police do not track accidents directly related to lane hogging, which can contribute to dangerous behaviors but is not usually a direct cause of accidents. Current penalties for lane hogging and heavy vehicle offenses are being reviewed to determine their effectiveness. The Traffic Police also emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe following distance and adherence to traffic signals as part of their public education efforts.

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Defence about the percentage of National Service enlistees identified as security threats from the years 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2024. Ng Eng Hen explained that the Military Security Department (MSD) conducts ongoing security screenings during enlistment and service to identify potential risks. Individuals identified as threats are excluded from roles where they could gain dangerous skills or access sensitive information. The screening criteria are periodically calibrated to balance exclusion of actual threats while minimizing false positives, with approximately 0.1% (around 50 individuals) flagged for observation out of nearly 30,000 pre-enlistees annually over the past decade.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower about collaboration with the Traffic Police to verify the work permit status of foreign delivery drivers during licence inspections, as well as data on illegal work permits for 2024. Tan See Leng responded that the Police refer cases of foreign drivers without valid work passes to the Ministry of Manpower for investigation. From January to December 2024, the Ministry received approximately 90 complaints regarding illegal foreign delivery drivers, leading to enforcement actions against 30 individuals, while the rest were found unsubstantiated.

Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Law about the yearly number of Magistrate's Complaints filed over the past three years and whether public awareness programs would be implemented to educate people about their use in aiding police investigations. The Minister of State, Murali Pillai, reported that around 1,300 Magistrate's Complaints were filed annually from 2022 to 2024 and mentioned that educational resources are available on the Judiciary's website regarding the filing process. Yeo noted confusion among constituents about when to file a Magistrate's Complaint versus a Police report, and highlighted barriers such as the $20 filing fee and the need to appear in court. Murali assured that resources exist to assist individuals with difficulties in filing, such as helplines, language support, and guidance from court staff, and acknowledged the feedback regarding the filing fee will be communicated to the Judiciary.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the frequency of spot checks by Traffic Police on commercial vehicle drivers, particularly foreigners, regarding their driving licenses, and the number of drivers found without valid licenses over the past five years. The Minister of State for Home Affairs responded that Traffic Police do not conduct spot checks at workplaces but do perform checks on public roads, revealing an annual average of 270 foreign drivers caught without valid licenses, with a 47% increase in 2024 to 292 cases. Yip expressed concern about road safety and asked about employer accountability for ensuring valid licenses, to which the Minister assured that penalties for unlicensed driving apply to employers as well, and emphasized ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and industry stakeholders to enhance enforcement and public education on this issue.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the restitution rates for financial crime victims, the proportion of scam proceeds forfeited to the state, and measures for ensuring victims receive restitution before funds are allocated to the government. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, explained the challenges in tracking and returning seized scam proceeds due to co-mingling with other crime-related funds. She noted that specific case inquiries, such as the recent $3 billion money laundering case, require separate parliamentary questions. Sun Xueling acknowledged the difficulties in establishing a fund for victim restitution, emphasizing the operational complexities in determining the rightful claimants from mixed proceeds and the limited amounts recovered compared to total losses.

Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns regarding the safety of social workers from social service organizations who face threats or harassment while handling cases. Eric Chua emphasized that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) takes these issues seriously and encourages social workers to report incidents to the police and MSF for support and guidance. Yeo highlighted real incidents where social workers have been threatened and called for more protective measures, including public education campaigns about their work and enforcement measures to ensure their safety. Chua acknowledged the need for public education and reiterated MSF's commitment to protecting social service professionals, offering to follow up on specific cases.

Ng Ling Ling raised concerns regarding excessive hoarding in HDB flats and the protocols for addressing it, specifically asking how HDB verifies hoarding complaints, coordinates with the SCDF for fire risks, and plans to enhance existing protocols. Sim Ann stated that the government typically does not interfere unless health or safety is at risk but emphasized the need for a balanced approach to manage hoarding while prioritizing community safety and support. She highlighted the importance of grassroots involvement in reporting hoarding cases and mentioned new regulatory measures, including the amended Community Disputes Resolution Act, allowing for decluttering in serious cases. Training for HDB officers includes basic mental health recognition, and various agencies are collaborating to provide comprehensive support to hoarders and their families. Dennis Tan expressed concerns over the timeline for the Community Relations Unit's rollout and the need for reassurance to residents about safety regarding hoarding issues.