Public safety & law

Chua Kheng Wee Louis raised concerns regarding construction sector workplace deaths, asking for statistics on deaths related to previous safety violations, overtime work, and the potential for barring contractors with safety violations from bidding on public projects. Tan See Leng referred Chua to previous parliamentary replies that addressed these issues comprehensively.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about plans to detect the use of "Kpods," a vape juice mixed with etomidate, which online sellers claim are undetectable by urine tests. Ong Ye Kung reported that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Health Sciences Authority and enforcement agencies, has intensified checks to uphold the ban on e-vaporisers. As of December 2024, over 14,000 fines were issued for possession and use of e-vaporisers, and 6,800 illegal listings were removed, indicating increased enforcement efforts. Testing revealed five e-vaporiser cases containing etomidate, and offenders face serious penalties under the Poisons Act. The presence of etomidate in vaping products emphasizes the harmful nature of vaping and the commitment to enforcing bans, with support programs like I Quit available for those wanting to stop vaping.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for data on care and protection orders issued by the Youth Court over the past five years, specifically regarding cases where children were not required to stay in a place of safety or temporary care. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that specific breakdowns of care and protection orders by placement type are not available, emphasizing that each case is assessed individually based on the child's best interests.

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim inquired about lessons from the September 2024 Domestic Violence Trends Report and potential changes to child protection policies. Masagos Zulkifli highlighted that the report emphasizes the need for increased awareness and early intervention in domestic violence cases. The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to train professionals in various sectors to recognize and report suspected child abuse, review laws for enhanced survivor protection, and collaborate with community partners to improve support protocols for families facing child protection issues.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the number of illegal gambling websites blocked in Singapore, the continued access of residents to these sites, and the possibility of allowing families of problem gamblers to block bank accounts used for gambling. K Shanmugam responded that over 3,800 illegal gambling websites have been blocked, along with more than 145,000 illegal transactions totaling around $37 million. Despite these efforts, illegal operators can create new sites, and public reporting of illegal gambling is encouraged. The government offers support for problem gamblers through counseling services, but there are currently no plans to allow families to block bank accounts of problem gamblers, as the rate of pathological gambling remains low and stable.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo asked about the number of reported infringement cases since the relaxation of the occupancy cap allowing larger private residential properties to house up to eight unrelated persons. Desmond Lee reported that from January 22 to October 31, 2024, there were 415 complaints investigated, with 91 properties breaching the occupancy cap. Penalties for violations include warnings, fines up to $5,000, or prosecution with fines up to $200,000 and/or imprisonment. The two properties that exceeded the eight-person cap received warnings and had their registrations revoked for 12 months.

The Second Minister for Finance introduced amendments to the Customs Act to enhance Singapore Customs' regulatory and enforcement capabilities, with the last amendment having occurred in 2018. These amendments include granting additional powers to Singapore Customs, such as authorizing auxiliary police officers to perform search and seizure actions and allowing customs to compel licensees to remove dutiable goods from warehouses. New offences will be established to deter individuals from facilitating customs violations and to prosecute those obstructing investigations. Additionally, penalties for certain offences will be increased to strengthen deterrence. The proposed changes aim to improve enforcement effectiveness and reinforce Singapore’s trade integrity.

Joan Pereira asked about the possibility of harsher penalties for scammers impersonating government officials and those allowing their bank accounts to be used. Sun Xueling stated that current penalties, which can include up to 10 years of imprisonment, are deemed adequate, though recent amendments have strengthened enforcement against money mules. The Ministry has also published sentencing guidelines recommending significant imprisonment terms for scam-related offenses. Pereira raised concerns about scam victims becoming involved in scams and whether they would receive leniency, to which Sun clarified that financial need typically does not mitigate sentencing, though exceptional circumstances could be considered.

Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns about potential rises in harassment and violence against platform workers, particularly following a recent stabbing incident. The Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, emphasized that existing laws, such as the Protection from Harassment Act, already protect workers from harassment, with penalties for offenders. Yeo noted that her association has received reports of harassment and inquired about additional support and redress for affected workers, suggesting measures like insurance claims and crisis support centers. Koh acknowledged the risks faced by platform workers and highlighted the need for companies to educate workers on situational awareness to help prevent violence.

Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about high-rise littering, querying how many cases NEA considered for surveillance camera deployment and the feasibility of such measures. Foo Mee Har and Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the use of technology like AI and drones to improve detection and enforcement of high-rise littering, with Yeo also asking about complaint statistics and enforcement success rates. Dr. Amy Khor reported a decrease in high-rise littering complaints, detailed NEA's enforcement strategies, including the use of cameras and community involvement, and acknowledged difficulties in capturing offenders, particularly in complex block designs. The discussion emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance detection technology, community cooperation, and addressing unique cases involving mental health issues among offenders.

• Mr. Leong Mun Wai inquired about the number of foreign workers granted permission to work under the Temporary Job Scheme (TJS) while under investigation and the reasons for unsuccessful applications.
• Minister Tan See Leng explained that foreign workers under investigation receive a Special Pass, allowing them to work under TJS unless there are safety concerns or potential interference with investigations.
• An average of about 850 Special Pass Holders have participated in TJS annually since 2022, and they are informed of their eligibility without needing to apply.
• Special Pass Holders can choose not to work under TJS if they can support themselves, and those needing assistance can contact the Ministry of Manpower.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean raised concerns about non-compliance with orders from the Small Claims Tribunal and Employment Claims Tribunal regarding freelancers and workers, inquiring about sectors with high non-compliance rates and measures taken to address the issue.
• Minister Tan See Leng stated that the tribunals do not track compliance rates, making it difficult to identify non-compliant sectors.
• He highlighted that individuals who disobey tribunal orders may face legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and other penalties for employers, such as warnings and debarment from work pass applications.

• Ms. Hany Soh raised concerns about suspected scam calls where individuals cited full NRIC numbers, potentially obtained from ACRA's Bizfile portal.
• She inquired whether the Singapore Police Force had received any reports related to these scam calls.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo responded that the issue would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Digital Development and Information on 8 January 2025.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean raised concerns about the government's new policy on NRIC numbers, specifically regarding fraud protection for the public and guidance for businesses.
• She inquired about measures to assist less savvy individuals in avoiding fraud and how businesses should adapt to the new policy in line with existing data protection guidelines.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo responded that these questions would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Digital Development and Information on 8 January 2025.

• The recent knife attack at a place of worship prompted discussions on enhancing safety measures and training for staff and volunteers in religious organizations.
• The Government has established various safety protocols, including police patrols in high-risk areas and a Crisis Preparedness program for religious organizations.
• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) collaborates with places of worship to conduct security self-assessments, develop contingency plans, and provide training in emergency response skills.
• Outreach efforts under the SGSecure movement include sharing safety advisories and promoting emergency preparedness skills among staff and volunteers.
• Following the knife attack, MCCY and the Police reinforced security measures and reminded places of worship about existing safety protocols.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the number of police advisories issued over the past five years and the types of cases that lead to such advisories.
• The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that the Singapore Police Force does not track the number of advisories issued.
• Advisories are issued in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers to inform individuals about the law after investigations conclude without further action.
• Such advisories may be issued when an individual's actions are potentially criminal but lack sufficient evidence to establish intent for prosecution.

• Desmond Choo raised concerns about traffic congestion caused by recent anti-drink driving operations on the Central Expressway and its impact on emergency vehicle accessibility and private hire drivers.
• K Shanmugam acknowledged the inconvenience caused by roadblocks but emphasized their importance in deterring drink driving and ensuring road safety.
• The Traffic Police manage roadblock operations carefully to minimize disruption while maintaining safety, including coordinating with emergency services for rerouting during operations.

• The debate focused on the government's tracking and monitoring of individuals in Singapore who are subjects of INTERPOL Red Notices, with questions raised about the number of such individuals and their citizenship status.
• The Minister for Home Affairs clarified that INTERPOL Red Notices are not arrest warrants and that the police can only act on them if there is sufficient evidence and an extradition request.
• Approximately 80 individuals linked to Singapore are associated with INTERPOL Red Notices, with about half being Singapore citizens and half not currently in Singapore.
• The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority screens immigration applications against adverse information, including INTERPOL notices, and takes action if a match is found.
• The government cooperates with issuing countries of INTERPOL Red Notices when contacted, especially if there are significant security concerns.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the storage capacity and costs associated with data from police body-worn and other cameras, including additional requirements for recorded video interviews.
• Minister K Shanmugam responded that specific details on storage capacity cannot be disclosed for operational security reasons.
• The Minister suggested that overall project costs for body-worn and other police cameras can be found in the Budget Book.

• The debate focused on the potential use of police body-worn camera footage as video recordings of interviews (VRIs) in non-capital cases involving vulnerable suspects.
• Concerns were raised about the preservation of the chain of evidence for such footage and the risk of allegations regarding tampering or editing, especially with advancements in technology like deepfakes.
• The Minister for Home Affairs emphasized that VRIs are conducted in controlled environments to ensure high-quality audio and visual recordings, which are crucial for court assessments.
• Procedures are in place to secure and seal VRI footage immediately after interviews, with duplicate copies made for investigations and court proceedings, ensuring integrity and reliability.
• The Ministry concluded that body-worn camera footage lacks the same reliability as VRIs conducted in controlled settings, but this assessment will be reviewed regularly.