Public safety & law — Topics

7 Nov 2023

Timeline for Police to Complete Investigations into Offences where Accused Persons are Denied Bail

Lim Biow Chuan asked if a fixed timeline can be set for police to complete investigations when accused persons are denied bail.
K Shanmugam said fixed timelines are impractical because investigation time depends on factors like the offence's nature and case complexity, and robust investigations must take priority.
For remanded accused, police monitor and expedite investigations where feasible, and use technology like electronic tagging to reduce remand needs and ease bail conditions.
Police are overworked due to rising scam and cybercrime cases, and efforts are underway to secure more manpower to improve sustainability and potentially speed up cases.

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7 Nov 2023

Ensuring Government's Shared Responsibility Framework for Equitable Sharing of Losses in Bank Scams Offers Adequate Protection

The Shared Responsibility Framework introduces a "waterfall approach" where financial institutions and telcos are prioritized to compensate victims of phishing scams if they breach their anti-scam duties, with customers only bearing losses if both entities fulfill their obligations.
The framework applies specifically to unauthorised transactions from phishing scams, excluding authorised transactions like those involving deep fakes, which rely on consumer vigilance and separate bank goodwill policies, though ongoing consultations may expand coverage to include malware scams.
Concerns were raised about the adequacy of consumer protection, particularly regarding physical hardware tokens for elderly customers with limited digital literacy, with authorities committing to streamline token access and incorporate public feedback into future framework updates.

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7 Nov 2023

Cases Undertaken by Public Defender's Office

The Public Defender’s Office (PDO) has taken up 303 criminal defence cases since commencing operations on 1 December 2022, assessing eligibility through means and merits tests rather than the moral nature of alleged offences, as explained by the Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam.
The Minister emphasized that the PDO must handle even morally repugnant cases if applicants meet the criteria, citing examples like a reduced sentence for a sexual assault appeal and international cases where legal aid ensured fair trials despite public outrage.
Mr Murali Pillai raised concerns about PDO officers being protected from disciplinary action when they refrain from pursuing certain cross-examination lines requested by accused persons, to which the Minister responded that such judgments are part of standard legal practice and training.
Ms He Ting Ru inquired about the PDO’s capacity and data on rejected cases, and the Minister clarified that no cases have been turned away due to capacity constraints, offering to provide specific rejection numbers if a formal question is filed.
The discussion highlighted the PDO’s role alongside the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS), with the Minister noting that CLAS’s caseload is expected to decrease due to the PDO’s establishment, while capacity will be adjusted based on demand and taxpayer funding considerations.

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7 Nov 2023

Singapore's Approach towards Housing of Transgender Persons in Prison Settings

The Minister stated that housing decisions for transgender inmates in Singapore are based primarily on registered sex, not self-identified gender, with safety as the foremost consideration, and individuals may be housed alone or in shared cells if their registered sex placement poses safety risks.
He highlighted that if medical examinations reveal genitalia differing from registered sex, prisons house inmates individually pending specialist assessment to verify physical changes, after which registered sex updates are facilitated with the relevant authority.
In response to supplementary questions, the Minister noted that violence against transgender inmates in Singapore prisons is rare due to pre-emptive measures and tight control, and all inmates, including transgender persons, receive regular interviews and counselling as part of rehabilitation.

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6 Nov 2023

Feedback or Requests Received by Forward Assurance and Support Team Officers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower for data over the past five years on substantiated cases of illegal employment, criminal kickbacks, false salary declarations, failure to refund agency fees, and illegal deployment reported to Forward Assurance and Support Team officers.
From 2020 to 2022, substantiated cases averaged about 180 per year for illegal employment, 60 for kickbacks, 65 for false salary declarations, 35 for illegal deployment, and three for failing to refund agency fees.
The number of substantiated cases across all five categories has been declining since 2020.

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6 Nov 2023

Penalties for Estate Agents' Failure to Perform Customer Due Diligence or Report Suspicious Transactions or Activities

Leong Mun Wai asked whether the Government will work with the Council for Estate Agencies to create sentencing guidelines for financial penalties on estate agents who fail to perform due diligence or report suspicious transactions, based on transaction size or potential commission.
Desmond Lee explained that the Estate Agents Act and related regulations require due diligence, with breaches handled by the Council for Estate Agencies Disciplinary Committee, which assesses cases holistically.
The Disciplinary Committee considers factors like transaction size, potential commission, culpability, harm, and aggravating or mitigating circumstances when determining penalties, referencing past precedents.
Information on the Council for Estate Agencies' sentencing approach and past disciplinary outcomes is publicly available on their website.
The Government did not commit to issuing new sentencing guidelines, as the existing framework already allows for case-specific adjustments by an independent tribunal.

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6 Nov 2023

Public Events and Assemblies in Relation to Gaza Conflict

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Ministry of Home Affairs about the number of applications received by the Singapore Police Force and the National Parks Board for public events and assemblies related to the Israel-Hamas conflict since 7 October 2023, and the specific checklist and guidelines for future applications.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that the Police received no permit applications for public assemblies related to the conflict, while NParks received eight applications to use Speakers’ Corner.
Police assess applications case-by-case considering public order, safety, and security, and do not grant permits to non-Singaporeans for political purposes or election campaigning.
Applications for events related to the conflict were turned down due to public safety and security reasons, and guidelines can be found in the Public Order (Unrestricted Area – Speakers’ Corner) Order 2023 and NParks’ terms and conditions on its website.

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6 Nov 2023

Ratio of Local Population to SPF Police Officers and Turnover Rate Since 2020

Mr Murali Pillai asked for the annual ratio of local population to regular SPF officers and the turnover rate from 2020 to 2022.
The Minister for Home Affairs provided Table 1 containing the requested data for each year in the period.
The table specifies the ratio of regular police officers to the total population and the corresponding turnover rates.
The information covers the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 as requested.
The response directly addresses both parts of the query with specific figures.

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6 Nov 2023

Spectrum of Enforcement Using Data From ERP 2.0 System

Hazel Poa asked whether the Singapore Police Force can access ERP 2.0 data for criminal investigations and what specific data types would be available.
Hany Soh inquired if the Ministry plans to use the ERP 2.0 system for enforcement against traffic offences like speeding.
K Shanmugam stated that the position on ERP 2.0 usage has been consistently communicated in Parliament and previous debates, referencing a 2016 Committee of Supply report.

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6 Nov 2023

Confrontations Between Motorist and Cyclist

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the number of investigated confrontations between motorists and cyclists over the past five years and whether there was a rising trend.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, responded that the Police do not track such cases.
The lack of tracking means no data is available to determine if such confrontations are increasing.

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6 Nov 2023

Restitution to Theft or Fraud Victims

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about measures to ensure recovered items are returned to rightful owners, due process before requesting restitution, and that restitution is actually paid, as well as whether there are protocols to inform parties of restitution procedures.
The Minister for Home Affairs explained that restitution is voluntary, facilitated by police, with direct payments preferred or witnessed intermediaries, and all transactions documented, including acknowledgments from both parties.
Supervisors verify restitution, and in court cases, restitution is reported to the court and may be subject to verification. For recovered property, it is returned when no longer needed for investigations or proceedings, with seizure and return documented.

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6 Nov 2023

Removal of Canopies Installed at Ground Floor HDB Flats

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked about the circumstances under which ground floor HDB flat dwellers must remove canopies at the back of their flats and whether the Ministry can work with the National Environment Agency to address high-rise littering before requiring removal.
Desmond Lee explained that installing items on HDB common property requires permission from the Town Council, which must obtain HDB’s consent, and unauthorized canopies pose safety and fire hazards, leading to enforcement actions.
He noted that high-rise littering is a serious public safety issue and that the National Environment Agency collaborates with Town Councils through education, surveillance, and enforcement to tackle the problem.

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6 Nov 2023

Channels for Reporting Foreigners Suspected of Actions That Constitute Interference in Singapore’s Domestic Politics

Leong Mun Wai inquired about the avenues for Singaporeans to report foreigners suspected of interfering in domestic politics.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, responded that such reports can be made directly to the Police.

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6 Nov 2023

Suspected Money Laundering Cases Detected, Investigated and Reported since Integrated Resorts Commenced Operations

Since the integrated resorts began operations in 2011, authorities have detected 11 cases of suspected money laundering, all of which resulted in prosecutions and convictions.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority does not directly receive such cases, as they are reported to and investigated by the Police; the GRA instead requires casino operators to implement safeguards like customer due diligence and transaction monitoring.
The GRA conducts regular inspections and can impose regulatory actions, including financial penalties, for non-compliance, while the legal framework under the CDSA has been enhanced with tougher penalties and new offences to deter money laundering.

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6 Nov 2023

Social Media Services which Allow Advertisements to be Used as Tools for Scams or to Promote Violence

Murali Pillai queried if the Ministry is aware of designated social media services permitting advertisements to be used for scams or violence promotion accessible to Singapore users, and what enforcement actions are contemplated.
Josephine Teo stated that six social media services are designated under the Broadcasting Act and must comply with the Online Safety Code, with IMDA empowered to block egregious content; no reports of violent advertisements have been received, but over 2,000 scam-related ad reports were noted, mainly on Facebook, leading to collaboration for removal.
The upcoming Online Criminal Harms Act will grant authorities stronger powers to issue directions to disable criminal content like scam ads and require services to proactively disrupt such activities, with non-compliance punishable and access potentially restricted.

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6 Nov 2023

Policies and Procedures to Identify Transiting Passengers Who May Pose On-board Risks

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Home Affairs to review if Changi Airport's policies and procedures adequately identify transiting passengers who may pose an on-board risk and if security officers are trained to handle mental health issues.
K Shanmugam responded that security agencies conduct regular patrols in transit areas and that airport staff, including check-in agents and retail workers, are trained to spot suspicious behavior, including signs of mental health issues.
He added that airlines conduct their own passenger assessments and may refuse boarding to those deemed an on-board risk, with such individuals reported to security agencies for further checks and actions to ensure safety.

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6 Nov 2023

Option to Take CPF Accounts Offline as Safeguard against Loss through Scams and Malware Fraud

Sylvia Lim asked whether CPF members can take their accounts offline to protect against scams and malware fraud.
The CPF Board is collaborating with government agencies and banks to enhance security, including implementing Singpass Face Verification and requiring bank verification for withdrawals.
The Board is developing additional measures, such as options to limit or disable online withdrawals, to further safeguard members’ savings.

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6 Nov 2023

Measures to Prevent Unauthorised Arms Sales and Transfers from Taking Place through Singapore

The Ministry for Trade and Industry outlined that Singapore regulates all strategic goods and technology under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act 2002, requiring permits for export, transshipment, transit, and technology transfer, and enforces licensing under the Arms and Explosives Act for arms movement through Singapore.
An Inter-Ministry Committee on Export Controls coordinates across government agencies to ensure Singapore complies with international obligations, United Nations sanctions, and embargoes.
Relevant agencies conduct regular outreach and issue advisories to keep Singapore-based businesses and shipping companies informed of regulatory requirements to prevent unauthorised arms sales and transfers.

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6 Nov 2023

Protecting Singaporeans' Banking and Financial Transactions Now that Insanet’s Advanced Spyware has been Approved for Sale

Poh Li San inquired about protective measures against Insanet’s spyware, which can be installed via ads and is approved for sale, especially for banking and financial transactions.
Josephine Teo explained that Sherlock is a sophisticated, targeted spyware requiring significant resources and government approval, with no reported infections in Singapore.
Teo emphasized the need for individual cyber vigilance, such as avoiding untrustworthy sites, updating software, and using security apps to combat malware-enabled scams.

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6 Nov 2023

Regulatory Mechanisms to Compel Social Media Platforms to Remove Posts or Accounts Suspected of Perpetrating Scams

Minister K Shanmugam stated that police have flagged over 5,900 scam-related accounts and ads since 2021 for removal by platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with turnaround times varying from one to five days or longer, and noted Telegram has not responded to requests.
The Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) was passed in July 2023 and will be operationalised progressively from the first quarter of 2024, allowing police to direct online services to block suspected scam content from reaching Singapore users, with non-compliance being an offence.
Until OCHA is active, designated social media platforms under the Broadcasting Act must have systems to minimize harmful content exposure, and users can report scams for removal via community guidelines.

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