Public safety & law

• The Minister for Home Affairs reported that as of the end of 2024, only around 50 lorries have complied with the mandatory installation of speed limiters.
• The Traffic Police are concerned about the low compliance rate and are collaborating with various organizations to encourage early installation of speed limiters.
• Lorry owners are urged to install speed limiters ahead of compliance deadlines to avoid potential penalties and inspection failures.
• Compliance deadlines vary, with older lorries required to comply sooner than newer ones, which have until 2027 to install speed limiters.

• The debate focused on the Tuas South accident on December 15, 2024, involving a lorry transporting workers, which resulted in one death and two injuries.
• Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the cause of the fatality and the status of safety reviews for transporting workers.
• Preliminary investigations indicated that a heavy metal box was improperly secured in the lorry's rear deck, contributing to the accident.
• The driver is under investigation for a negligent act causing death, and findings will be presented at a Coroner's Inquiry once investigations are complete.
• The Government is committed to collaborating with stakeholders to enhance road safety for all users.

• An average of 790 cases of credit card fraud were reported annually in Singapore from 2021 to 2023, resulting in average losses of $2.1 million per year.
• Enhanced security measures, such as the 3-D Secure protocol and real-time transaction monitoring, have been implemented by banks and card schemes to protect consumers from fraud.
• The Shared Responsibility Framework is deemed unsuitable for credit card fraud, as existing rules already limit cardholder liability to $100 under certain conditions.
• Consumers are protected by the Association of Banks in Singapore's Code of Practice and chargeback mechanisms, allowing them to dispute unauthorized transactions.
• Cardholders are encouraged to remain vigilant, monitor transactions, and promptly report any unauthorized activity to their banks.

• Joan Pereira inquired about statistics on motorists caught making illegal turns, injuries and deaths resulting from these violations, particularly in Silver and School Zones, and measures for traffic law enforcement.
• K Shanmugam reported that approximately 4,300 motorists are caught annually for illegal turns, with a decrease from 7,700 in 2019 to 2,000 in 2023, primarily for unauthorized U-turns.
• The Traffic Police do not track injuries or deaths specifically linked to illegal turns.
• Measures to enhance compliance and enforcement of traffic laws were previously detailed in a report from May 2024.

• The majority of youth arrests under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act are related to the possession of offensive weapons.
• Youth offences are attributed to complex factors, necessitating a collaborative approach involving educational institutions, law enforcement, social services, and parents to address the issue.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing educational initiatives in schools to raise awareness about the consequences of youth crime and possession of offensive weapons.
• A new Guns, Explosive and Weapons Control Act will be operational in 2025, introducing stricter regulations on offensive weapons to deter youth possession.
• The Ministry will continue to monitor youth arrests and explore additional measures to mitigate the rise in such offences.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the number of Singapore residents caught consuming cannabis or related products unknowingly since Thailand legalized cannabis.
• The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, responded that the Central Narcotics Bureau does not track such data.

• Christopher de Souza raised concerns about the safety of police officers following an attack involving an improvised flamethrower.
• He inquired about measures being taken to equip and protect police officers from targeted attacks.
• Minister K Shanmugam responded that the Singapore Police Force regularly reviews training, procedures, and equipment to ensure officer safety.
• Officers are trained to use various force options, including batons, tasers, and firearms, in a manner proportional to the threat they face.

• The Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill aims to recalibrate penalties for traffic offences, removing mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders while enhancing enforcement powers against errant motorists.
• Concerns were raised by several members regarding the potential perception of leniency and the impact on public safety, especially in light of rising traffic fatalities and serious accidents.
• The Bill introduces flexibility in sentencing, allowing courts to consider the circumstances of each case, but some members argue this could undermine deterrence against dangerous driving.
• Amendments also include provisions for immigration officers to conduct breath tests at checkpoints and streamline the process for handling seized vehicles, while ensuring that penalties remain severe for serious offenders.
• The debate highlighted the need for public education on road safety and the importance of maintaining a balance between enforcement and judicial discretion to ensure fair outcomes.

• The Protection from Scams Bill aims to empower the Police to issue Restriction Orders (ROs) to banks, allowing them to temporarily restrict banking transactions of individuals suspected of being scam victims, in order to prevent further financial losses.
• The Bill addresses the rising number of scams in Singapore, with 86% of reported cases in early 2024 involving victims willingly transferring money to scammers, resulting in significant financial losses.
• Concerns were raised about the potential intrusiveness of the Bill, the need for safeguards to protect individual autonomy, and the effectiveness of the proposed measures in preventing scams.
• Various Members of Parliament suggested improvements, including the need for a streamlined appeals process, better training for bank staff, and the inclusion of community support in the intervention process.
• The Minister of State acknowledged the need for a whole-of-society approach to combat scams and indicated that the Bill is a crucial step, while also emphasizing the importance of public education and collaboration with financial institutions.

• The Singapore parliament discussed Australia's recent legislation to ban social media access for individuals under 16, with questions raised about its effectiveness and potential adoption in Singapore.
• The Minister of State for Digital Development highlighted ongoing efforts in Singapore, including the Code of Practice for Online Safety, which mandates social media platforms to implement safety measures for children.
• There is a focus on community involvement and public education to enhance digital literacy and online safety, with various initiatives aimed at equipping parents and children.
• The government is assessing compliance reports from social media companies to ensure they meet safety standards and is open to reviewing investment requirements for these platforms.
• The approach in Singapore emphasizes collaboration with technology companies while maintaining strict compliance to ensure the safety of young users online.

• Recent knife crime incidents in Singapore have remained stable, with 129 cases reported in 2024, similar to previous years, and only one incident occurring at a place of worship.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is enhancing public safety through increased police patrols, security audits, and training for building owners and community organizations.
• New regulations are being introduced to limit the sale of certain knives and weapons, with further expansions planned for 2025.
• Community resilience is being built through programs that educate the public on emergency preparedness and response, including first aid and crisis management.
• The government emphasizes the importance of public awareness and readiness in responding to emergencies, as demonstrated by community actions during recent incidents.

• Concerns were raised in Parliament about the potential for vaping devices to be repurposed for drug use, with calls for closer collaboration among government agencies to address this issue.
• Studies indicate that vaping may increase the risk of drug abuse, and there have been instances of vapes being used to consume controlled substances, although these cases are currently a minority in Singapore.
• The Minister of State for Home Affairs confirmed that possession of vapes for drug consumption is already an offense under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and emphasized ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of vaping and drug use among youths.
• There is a recognition of the need for proactive measures to prevent drug abuse among young people, including educational programs and inter-agency cooperation to address evolving trends in substance use.
• The debate highlighted the importance of acting swiftly to prevent the normalization of drug use through vaping, with concerns about the potential for increased prevalence of drug-laced vapes in Singapore.

• The Minister reported that nine of the 14 construction worksites with fatalities in late 2024 were issued stop-work orders due to inadequate safety systems, and the Safety Time-out in November 2024 was a voluntary measure to boost awareness, with broader enforcement and video surveillance also implemented.
• Officials outlined multi-agency efforts, including the Safety Disqualification Framework that debars contractors with poor safety records from public projects and requires external audits after serious lapses, while noting that fatalities remain over-represented in construction despite an overall low national fatality rate.
• During the debate, MPs questioned the effectiveness of the Safety Time-out, the profile of companies involved in fatalities, and whether deaths automatically trigger debarment, with the Minister confirming a demerit points system that debars firms for at least three months after a fatality and noting challenges with smaller firms in non-public projects.

• Multiple MPs raised urgent concerns about the policy change to treat full NRIC numbers as public identifiers, questioning the balance between privacy protection and the risks of identity theft and scams, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly.
• The debate highlighted the recent ACRA Bizfile incident where full NRIC numbers were briefly exposed, prompting queries on government accountability, compliance with data protection laws, and the need for stronger safeguards and penalties.
• MPs sought clarity on timelines for public education, updates to PDPC guidelines, and the transition for sectors like finance and healthcare to move away from using NRIC numbers for authentication.
• There were calls for a review of government exemptions from data protection laws, inter-agency coordination before policy rollouts, and assurances that future digital initiatives would prioritize privacy and security.

Hazel Poa requested an update on the investigation into the collision of the Singapore-registered container vessel Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is collaborating with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board on the marine safety investigation. The NTSB provided an investigative update on 11 September 2024, indicating that investigations are still ongoing.

Christopher de Souza raised concerns about the underlying causes of recent oil spill incidents in Singapore, particularly relating to vessel traffic management and operational protocols. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim focused on the specific oil spill during bunkering operations off Changi, asking about investigations, containment measures activated, their sufficiency, and penalties for negligence. Chee Hong Tat acknowledged the questions and referred to prior replies given during a parliamentary session on November 11, 2024, regarding oil spill management and response strategies.

Hazel Poa requested an update on the investigation regarding the partial collapse of two shophouses on Syed Alwi Road. Desmond Lee reported that an explosion on October 8, 2024, caused the collapse and resulted in minor injuries to two individuals. The Building and Construction Authority issued safety orders, prompting the owners to appoint a Professional Engineer for safety assessments and rectification measures while hoarding was erected for public safety. The buildings are currently deemed structurally stable, debris has been cleared, and preliminary findings suggest the explosion was caused by a build-up of flammable gas in one of the units.

Wan Rizal raised concerns about the rise in vaping among youths, asking the Minister for Health about measures to prevent and educate against vaping in schools, as well as enforcement effectiveness and recidivism statistics. Ong Ye Kung responded that multiple agencies are collaborating to enhance enforcement against vaping, including increased operations at various locations and streamlined processes for issuing penalties. The Health Sciences Authority has removed approximately 6,000 online listings of e-vaporisers in 2024, with 15% of offenders being repeat violators. The government acknowledges that combating vaping requires ongoing public education efforts, especially targeting the youth.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Home Affairs about improving the landline emergency services hotline for the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Police, measures for ensuring contactability during landline outages, alternative emergency contacts, and awareness strategies for these alternatives. K Shanmugam referred to a previous parliamentary response regarding contingency plans for essential hotlines to manage telco disruptions. Information on emergency contact channels is accessible on the websites of the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the number of extremist websites banned in Singapore. K Shanmugam responded that over 50 Internet domains with extremist content have been blocked, but he noted the challenge of preventing all extremist content as new sites continually emerge. He emphasized the importance of public education and outreach in countering extremist narratives. The Internal Security Department is collaborating with various partners to strengthen community resilience against extremist ideologies and encourages public reporting of radicalization risks.