Public safety & law — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Cooperation between Government and Religious Organisations to Identify and Help Those at Risk of Self-radicalisation

The Ministry of Home Affairs collaborates with religious organisations, agencies like MCCY, and community groups to provide training, seminars, and resources to identify and counter self-radicalisation, both online and offline.
Government measures include restricting foreign preachers with intolerant teachings, blocking radical websites, and passing laws to tackle harmful online content, while promoting public awareness through initiatives like SGSecure and community outreach.
Ongoing cooperation with religious leaders is emphasised through programmes like the Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations and collective commitments to safeguard religious harmony, ensuring regular reviews of partnerships to address evolving threats.

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6 Feb 2023

Ensuring Smooth and Fair Police Investigation Process for Alleged Offenders with Disabilities and Mental Challenges

Police Officers are trained to identify signs of mental disability and work with the Agency for Integrated Care to improve their awareness and interaction skills, and they can activate Appropriate Adults to provide emotional support and facilitate communication during investigations.
To be an Appropriate Adult, individuals must be 21 or older, patient, level-headed, and capable of sound reasoning, and they must complete a one-day training by MINDS where their suitability is assessed, with ongoing competency feedback provided by Police Officers.
Police refer alleged offenders with mental disabilities to social workers for assessment and onward referral to relevant agencies, and they notify parents, guardians, and schools if the individual is studying to ensure support during investigations.

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6 Feb 2023

Workplace Fatalities Involving Hoisting Operations and Extension of Heightened Safety Period

The Ministry of Manpower introduced a six-month Heightened Safety Period (HSP) in September 2022, resulting in over 760 composition fines, 48 Stop Work Orders, and the debarment of 15 companies from hiring foreign workers, which contributed to a significant reduction in the workplace fatality rate from 1.5 to 0.8 per 100,000 workers.
Inspections in 2022 revealed common safety lapses in hoisting operations, such as improper equipment testing and lack of lifting plans, while the construction sector remained the top contributor to fatalities and major injuries despite a 21% improvement in enforcement actions per inspection.
The Ministry is reviewing whether to extend the HSP beyond February 2023 and is considering further measures to strengthen workplace safety and health culture, in line with recommendations from the International Advisory Panel for WSH.

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6 Feb 2023

Findings from Keppel Offshore & Marine Corruption Probe

The Attorney-General's Chambers and CPIB decided to issue stern warnings to six former Keppel Offshore & Marine executives instead of prosecuting them due to insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, citing complex transnational investigations, key witnesses outside Singapore, and the inadequacy of foreign documents like the US Deferred Prosecution Agreement for local court standards.
The Government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, emphasizing that the decision aligns with the rule of law and that stern warnings serve as a marker when evidence falls short of prosecution thresholds, with the possibility of revisiting the case if new evidence emerges.
Multiple parliamentary questions raised concerns about reputation damage, potential cronyism, and the effectiveness of cross-border enforcement, with the Minister explaining that Singapore cannot unilaterally investigate abroad and that companies must uphold clean practices overseas, while acknowledging the need for continuous improvement in corporate governance and international cooperation.

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10 Jan 2023

Impact of Online Shopping Websites and Platforms on Regulation of Health and Cosmetics Products

Saktiandi Supaat questioned how online shopping platforms have affected regulation of health and cosmetic products, lessons from a case where a child was hospitalized after using a skin cream, and how residents can better identify HSA-approved products.
Ong Ye Kung explained that pharmaceutical medicines require HSA approval, while complementary health products and cosmetics must meet safety standards but do not need approval, with HSA conducting post-market surveillance and monitoring online sales for illegal products.
HSA issues press releases and advisories to guide consumers, including one after the child's hospitalization, and penalties for selling adulterated products include fines up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years.

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10 Jan 2023

Guidelines for Deployment of LED Wreaths at Funeral Wakes

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has developed guidelines with the funeral industry to address safety and public disamenities from LED wreaths at funeral wakes.
Deployment requires written permission from Town Councils, engagement of licensed electrical workers for circuitry, and a supply installation licence if generators are used.
The guidelines limit wreaths to 10 per wake area, confine them to the funeral space, and prohibit obstruction of walkways, fire safety provisions, and placement within five metres of fire hydrants.

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10 Jan 2023

Suspicious Transaction Reports Received by Commercial Affairs Department

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the average number of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) received annually by the Commercial Affairs Department over the past three years and the percentage of STRs that resulted in prosecutions for money-laundering and terrorism-financing offences.
The Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office received an average of 37,000 STRs annually between 2019 and 2021.
The office does not track the number of STRs by prosecution outcomes.
About 20% of STRs disseminated to domestic law enforcement agencies between 2019 and 2021 led to commencement of investigations or supported investigations.

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10 Jan 2023

Children Injured or Killed in Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Between 2018 and 2022, no children under 12 were killed in taxis or private hire cars.
Injuries to children in taxis decreased from 28 in 2018 to 6 from January to November 2022.
Injuries to children in private hire cars were 21 in 2018, rose to 25 in 2019, then fell to 4 in both 2021 and early 2022.

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10 Jan 2023

Enforcement against PMDs That Are Modified after Registration

LTA deploys daily enforcement officers to detect illegal PMD modifications and conducts targeted operations against retailers selling non-compliant devices.
From January 2020 to November 2022, 295 riders were caught using illegally modified PMDs and 70 violations were detected from retailer operations.
Since April 2020, e-scooters must undergo biennial inspections, with about 4% failing since May 2022 and being automatically deregistered.
Non-compliant devices are seized and enforcement actions are taken against violators, with continued efforts in enforcement and public education.

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10 Jan 2023

Offenders who Committed Serious Crimes But Spared from Caning on Account of Age

Over the past 10 years, specific data on offenders spared caning for serious crimes due to age is not available, but figures from 2020-2022 show 70 male offenders over 50 convicted in State Courts and 37 in High Court for serious sexual and hurt offences punishable by caning.
The court can impose up to an additional 12 months' imprisonment for offenders not caned because they exceed the statutory age limit, to compensate for the deterrent and retributive effect of caning.
The Ministry for Home Affairs stated that the question of considering other factors, such as health, instead of age for caning eligibility was addressed in a previous query.

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10 Jan 2023

Imposition of Caning for Crimes Committed by Offenders Above Age 50 against Children

The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code prohibits caning for offenders above 50 years old at the time of caning, noting this limit was reaffirmed during a 2021 parliamentary debate on similar proposals.
He explained that the government previously rejected removing the age limit for caning serious sexual offenders due to the low number of such offenders over 50 at arrest and the availability of alternative penalties like up to 12 months’ additional imprisonment.
Shanmugam added that data does not indicate a significant trend of offenders committing canable offences just before turning 50, reducing the need for a policy change.

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10 Jan 2023

Effectiveness of Caning as Deterrent to Serious Crimes

Dr. Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Home Affairs about studies on the effectiveness of judicial caning as a deterrent for serious crimes like rape and sexual offences against children, and its impact on public confidence and sense of safety.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that caning serves two equally important functions: deterrence and proportionate punishment, and has been a long-standing penalty for such serious crimes.
The Minister noted that the public generally understands caning as part of a set of penalties for very serious crimes, but the government regularly reviews its relevance and necessity to align with societal values.

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10 Jan 2023

Factors in Deciding Whether or Not to Press Charges Against Persons with Disabilities

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that prosecutorial discretion considers the nature, severity, and relevance of a person's disability to the alleged offense, and may result in warnings or calibrated charges, as illustrated by a 2020 case where a mandatory treatment order was issued instead of imprisonment.
Denise Phua expressed ongoing concerns about families' anxiety when relatives with disabilities face legal proceedings and urged the government to provide better assurance and education to the disability community and relevant agencies.
The government outlined support measures including specialized training for frontline officers, internal standard operating procedures, and the Appropriate Adult Scheme to assist persons with mental disabilities during investigations and ensure they are treated empathetically.

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10 Jan 2023

Spate of Home Fires Related to Electrical Appliances and Devices

The Minister of State for Home Affairs reported that while overall residential fires in Singapore have decreased from 1,235 in 2018 to 934 in 2022, fires of electrical origin have remained stable at around 250–300 cases annually, with causes including faulty appliances and unattended devices.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is enhancing public fire safety awareness through Community Resilience Days, MyNiceHome Roadshows for new homeowners, and post-fire door-to-door engagements, while regularly updating the Fire Code to include measures like mandatory Home Fire Alarm Devices in new residences.
The Minister emphasized personal responsibility, urging households to use certified safe appliances, switch off devices when not in use, avoid unattended cooking, and properly extinguish cigarette butts to prevent fires, as community and individual actions are key to reducing fire risks.

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10 Jan 2023

Proposed Rule to Require Commercial Vehicles and Buses to Have Rear View Cameras Installed

Gan Thiam Poh proposed requiring rear-view cameras on commercial vehicles and buses to enhance safety during reversing, especially for workers.
The Ministry of Transport responded that current rules already require devices like blind-spot mirrors and camera systems to cover blind spots and rear views, with penalties for non-compliance, and they are monitoring international developments for potential additional requirements.
Gan sought clarification on non-compliance leading to accidents, and the Ministry confirmed penalties exist and appealed for driver caution, noting that camera technology is evolving and only a few vehicles currently have rear-view cameras as alternatives to mirrors.

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10 Jan 2023

Cases Reported to Adult Protective Service and the Child Protective Service

The Adult Protective Service received 1,196 and 1,948 enquiries in 2020 and 2021 respectively, while the Child Protective Service received 5,223 and 6,513 enquiries in the same years, with figures higher than pre-COVID-19 levels and including general inquiries that may not involve actual abuse.
The Strengthening Families Programme @ FSCs supports couples and families facing early stress and relationship issues through various activities, though not all cases involve violence, and it refers families needing further support to specialized services.
A multi-pronged approach to prevent family violence includes public education campaigns, training for professionals and volunteers, outreach to high-risk families, age-appropriate relationship education for youth, and marriage preparation programs.
A Taskforce on Family Violence has proposed comprehensive recommendations from prevention to perpetrator accountability, with the government accepting them in principle in October 2021 and implementing them progressively.

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10 Jan 2023

Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 Proviso to Commit for Treatment a Person Reasonably Suspected to be Casual Drug User

Mr Murali Pillai asked if the Central Narcotics Bureau Director's power to commit suspected drug addicts to treatment could be expanded to include casual drug users.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs clarified that current law already allows supervision or DRC admission if a person tests positive for drugs, regardless of addict status.
If a test is negative, the law requires reasonable suspicion of addiction before ordering medical examination or observation, with treatment only if signs of abuse are found.

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9 Jan 2023

Allow Special Pass Holders Assisting in Investigations to Take Up Temporary Employment

Louis Ng asked whether Special Pass holders assisting in investigations could take up temporary employment with prior notification, without needing discretionary approval.
The Minister responded that such holders are generally allowed to work under the Temporary Job Scheme, but eligibility assessments may be required in cases involving public safety or investigation interference.
The Ministry of Manpower refers eligible holders to employment agencies and informs potential employers of their legal circumstances to support informed hiring decisions.

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9 Jan 2023

Assessment of Traffic Signal Countdown Timers

Mr Murali Pillai asked whether LTA will survey the merits of countdown timers at traffic lights for drivers.
LTA assessed that countdown timers do not necessarily improve road safety, citing experiences from other countries and a local trial at North Bridge Road and Rochor Road.
Some jurisdictions that tried countdown timers phased them out, partly because motorists sped up to beat red lights.
LTA will continue monitoring and studying this and other traffic design developments to enhance road safety.

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9 Jan 2023

Number of Personal Mobility Aids Users Prosecuted from 2020 to 2022 and Punishments Imposed

From January 2020 to November 2022, only two PMA users were prosecuted for using their devices on roads, with both offenders fined.
First-time offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail term of up to three months.
The Land Transport Authority prosecutes cases in court where offences are egregious, such as involving multiple offences.

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