Public safety & law — Topics

9 May 2023

Financial Services and Markets (Amendment) Bill

The Bill establishes a secure digital platform, COSMIC, enabling financial institutions to share information on customers exhibiting multiple red flags of potential financial crimes, such as misuse of shell companies, trade-based money laundering, and proliferation financing.
Robust legal and operational safeguards are included to protect customer confidentiality, with information sharing only permitted when objective thresholds are met and subject to strict access controls, cybersecurity measures, and oversight by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
The platform will initially involve six major banks on a voluntary basis, with plans to expand coverage and eventually make sharing mandatory in higher-risk circumstances, while addressing member concerns on implementation, inclusivity, and enforcement.

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9 May 2023

Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill

The Second Minister for Home Affairs introduced the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, noting its connection to the earlier Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) (Amendment) Bill and inviting additional questions from Members.
The Bill was read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House, which considered it and reported it without amendment.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed by the House.

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9 May 2023

Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) (Amendment) Bill

Members raised concerns about the practical application of new offences for rash and negligent money laundering, seeking clearer guidance on what constitutes "red flags" and the extent of verification required from account holders, especially for vulnerable individuals like seniors.
Questions were posed on the implementation and enforcement of the amendments, including how the government distinguishes between genuine victims and culpable individuals, the adequacy of penalties for Singpass abuse, and strategies to track transnational scam syndicates and recover stolen funds.
The Minister clarified that the laws are not intended to penalize genuinely tricked persons or those sharing accounts with family for legitimate reasons, and highlighted ongoing public education and technological measures to enhance Singpass security and combat scams.

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9 May 2023

Women's Charter (Family Violence and Other Matters) (Amendment) Bill

The amendment bill aims to strengthen protections against family violence by updating the Women’s Charter and aligning it with other relevant laws.
Minister of State Ms Sun Xueling presented the bill on behalf of the ministry, initiating its first reading and scheduling the second reading for after 3 July 2023.
The bill seeks to improve legal measures and support mechanisms for victims of family violence, reflecting the government’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
Parliament is set to review the proposed amendments in detail during the second reading, with the goal of enacting more comprehensive protections.

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9 May 2023

Measures to Mitigate Risks of Data Compromise via Public Charging Stations and Wifi Access Points

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked if there were any recorded attempts to breach public charging stations or Wi-Fi at transport nodes, what security measures are in place, and whether public education like billboards will be implemented.
The Minister for Transport confirmed no reported breaches at transport nodes, noting Wi-Fi uses encrypted Wireless@SGx standards and charging stations only transmit power with data pins removed, supported by inspections and CCTV.
The Minister added that signs at charging stations remind users to practice cyber hygiene and referred to a joint advisory on protecting devices from malicious connections.
In a supplementary question, Mr Yip asked how often charging stations are inspected for tampering, and the Minister replied that public transport operators conduct daily inspections as part of their regular facility checks.

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9 May 2023

Prevalence of Home Rental Scams Using Online Platforms as Conduit

The number of home rental scams via online platforms surged from 192 cases in 2021 to 979 in 2022, with scammers impersonating property agents or landlords to trick victims into paying deposits.
The Ministry stated that homeowners whose properties are fraudulently used in such scams are not penalized unless they are involved, and efforts are underway with online platforms to remove fraudulent listings and advisories.
To protect the public, the Ministry urges verification of property agents through the CEA Public Register and recommends using dedicated property rental platforms instead of general social media or marketplace sites.

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8 May 2023

Measures against Harassment by Students and Parents on Teaching Staff in Schools and Tertiary Institutions

The Ministry of Education has proactive policies and programmes to build positive relationships among staff, students, and parents, though harassment incidents are not common.
Clear escalation procedures and legal measures, such as the Protection from Harassment Act with enhanced penalties, are in place to protect educators, including police assistance and counselling support.
Tertiary institutions require students to complete compulsory modules on respectful behaviour and anti-harassment, with disciplinary consequences for violations under their codes of conduct.
Special Education (SPED) schools follow standard operating procedures aligned with their parent Social Services Agencies to report and manage harassment cases, with additional support from agency headquarters.
The Ministry emphasizes mutual respect among all parties to ensure the best outcomes for students and calls for collective responsibility in maintaining a safe educational environment.

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8 May 2023

Non-compliance with Safety Guidelines on Wearing of Mask or Spit Guard in Food Preparation

The Ministry has conducted multiple industry engagements and issued advisories through media statements and posters to remind food operators of the mask or spit guard requirement, with enforcement actions also publicized to raise awareness.
All food handlers in retail food establishments must pass the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1, and this will extend to non-retail establishments from July 2023, with periodic refresher courses required for certification renewal.
The Ministry supports training by approving 79 providers for the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 and offers subsidies through SkillsFuture Singapore for eligible individuals and SMEs.

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8 May 2023

Victim Impact Statements Tendered in Court and Offences Covered

From 2021 to 2022, victim impact statements were tendered in 13 State Court cases and 14 High Court cases, all involving sexual offences.
Victim impact statements are primarily used in sexual assault cases and severe violence cases, especially those affecting vulnerable victims like children.
The impact of an offence on the victim is also shown through other evidence, such as victim and witness accounts, medical reports, and psychological reports.

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8 May 2023

Video-recording of Statements from Witnesses and Suspects

Ms. Sylvia Lim asked about the types of offenses for which video-recorded statements have been used since 2018, their impact on reducing allegations of involuntariness, and whether the scope will be expanded.
Minister K Shanmugam referred to past parliamentary replies for current offense categories and confirmed plans to expand video recording to more offenses in the future.
The Minister stated that video recording is currently not used for witness interviews and is only for suspects, noting it provides an objective account but its effect on reducing allegations of involuntariness is case-specific.
Video recording helps courts assess the interviewee’s demeanor for determining statement admissibility or weight when voluntariness is challenged.

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8 May 2023

Cases of Injury and Death of Motorcyclists and Pillion Riders in First Quarter of 2023

Murali Pillai inquired about the number of motorcyclists and pillion riders injured or killed in road traffic accidents during the first four months of 2023, any increase compared to 2022, and steps being taken to address the issue.
Minister K Shanmugam reported that from January to March 2023, 898 motorcyclists and 119 pillion riders were injured, while 19 motorcyclists and two pillion riders died, with a slight increase from 2022 but comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
He noted that the Traffic Police, Land Transport Authority, and Singapore Road Safety Council have implemented initiatives to enhance road safety awareness, as shared in the Police’s Annual News Release on 14 February 2023.

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8 May 2023

Retention, Disposal or Deletion of Negative Results from Quick Drug-testing Saliva Tests

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked whether the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) retains data from negative saliva drug tests, the retention period, and the disposal process.
CNB stated that saliva test results, including negative outcomes, are retained for potential relevance in future investigations, but the physical test kit with saliva is disposed of immediately after a negative test.
The bureau clarified that saliva tests are only screening tools and positive results lead to confirmatory tests; negative results are not used for prosecution or rehabilitation.

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8 May 2023

Traffic Accidents Involving Minors and Measures to Enhance Their Road Safety Awareness

Saktiandi Supaat requested statistics on traffic accidents involving minors aged six and below, seven to 12, and 13 to 17 over the past five years, as well as suggestions to improve their road safety awareness in and out of school.
K Shanmugam provided a table with the accident figures for the last five years and referenced existing initiatives by the Traffic Police, Land Transport Authority, and Singapore Road Safety Council to enhance road safety education for children.
The minister noted that these measures were previously detailed in a response to a parliamentary question on 30 November 2022, directing members to the official report for further details.

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8 May 2023

Extending Reach of Drug Consumption Offence to Include Other Singapore Residents

The debate questioned why Section 8A of the Misuse of Drugs Act applies extraterritorial jurisdiction only to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
The Minister explained that the law was introduced to deter permanent residents from circumventing local drug laws by consuming drugs overseas to avoid downstream criminal and social problems.
The Ministry currently sees no need to extend this extraterritorial reach to other residents like Long-Term Visit Pass holders, as their stay is more transient and they can be deported if found abusing drugs.
The rationale is to focus on those with permanent ties to Singapore while relying on immigration controls for more temporary residents.

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8 May 2023

Use of Technologies in Drug Trafficking Activity and Agencies' Ability to Combat Its Proliferation in Digital Sphere

The CNB has identified drug traffickers using social media, internet communications, and cryptocurrency payments, and actively cooperates with tech companies to detect and prevent the advertising of controlled drugs on these platforms.
In April 2023, CNB conducted operations targeting drug transactions via specific applications, arresting eight suspected traffickers and 26 abusers while seizing drugs like cannabis.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will introduce the Online Criminal Harms Bill to address online criminal activities, including requiring online services to disable access to illegal drug-related content for Singapore persons.

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8 May 2023

Measures for Early Detection and Intervention to Arrest Trend of Students Abusing Cannabis

Derrick Goh proposed that the Ministry of Home Affairs introduce easy-to-use saliva test kits in schools to detect cannabis abuse among youths early.
K Shanmugam clarified that the Central Narcotics Bureau does not conduct drug screening in schools but engages schools and stakeholders with anti-drug resources.
The CNB provides toolkits and helplines to help identify and assist youths showing early signs of drug abuse.

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8 May 2023

Convictions and Penalties for Harassment or Abuse of Public Healthcare Workers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs for statistics over the past five years on convictions for harassment or abuse of public healthcare workers while on duty, including the average and median fines and imprisonment lengths.
K Shanmugam responded that the Police do not track the average and median sentences of convicted cases.
The debate highlights a gap in the availability of detailed sentencing data for convictions related to harassment or abuse of public healthcare workers.

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8 May 2023

Measures to Protect Public Officers against Unsubstantiated Defamatory Accusations

Public officers facing unsubstantiated defamatory accusations can receive clarification and factual correction through appropriate channels, and agencies may advise officers to disengage from complainants.
The Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) provides legal recourse, including the possibility of filing police reports and pursuing criminal sanctions for serious cases involving abusive or threatening behavior.
Public officers have access to existing policies like grievance procedures and whistle-blowing channels to report issues, as well as mental wellness support through a counselling hotline and trained Wellness Ambassadors.

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8 May 2023

Criminal Database to Prevent Convicted Dishonest or Corrupt Persons from Working in Financial Sector

The Monetary Authority of Singapore requires financial institutions to ensure employees are fit and proper, conducting checks on criminal history and other records as part of recruitment and retention processes.
MAS issues prohibition orders to individuals convicted of dishonesty, notifying all financial institutions and publishing these orders online; over 70 such orders were issued between July 2017 and late 2022.
A new Act will expand MAS's authority to issue prohibition orders to anyone not fit for key financial roles, including prospective hires, even if they have not yet entered the sector.
MAS does not maintain a centralized criminal database for financial institutions to check, as criminal records are confidential and held by the Police; institutions must conduct their own due diligence.
Individuals with past dishonesty records are not automatically barred, as MAS assesses each case holistically, considering factors like the offense's severity, time elapsed, and the institution's controls.

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8 May 2023

Abuse against Security Officers

Melvin Yong asked about the number of abuse cases against security officers in early 2023, trends over the past five years, and the Ministry’s plans to deter such abuse.
The Ministry of Home Affairs reported an average of 23 abuse or harassment cases per month in the first three months of 2023, up from 13 per month between 2018 and 2021, which it attributed to increased awareness following enhancements to the Private Security Industry Act.
The Ministry emphasized that abuse of security officers is taken seriously, with perpetrators facing higher penalties, and it will work with tripartite partners to reinforce respect for security officers and ensure they receive legal protection and industry support.

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