Public safety & law — Topics

20 Oct 2022

Safety Standards for Transport of Workers to Worksites Given New Code of Practice on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ Workplace Safety and Health Duties

Louis Ng asked whether the new Code of Practice requires management to implement systems for safe worker transport to worksites and what safety standards are mandated, or why not.
The Minister clarified that the Code of Practice provides guidance for directors to uphold workplace safety duties, including safe worker transport, but allows companies to determine the best approach.
Companies are expected to establish management systems to review transport policies and processes, though specific safety standards are not prescriptively defined in the Code.

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20 Oct 2022

Detection of and Dealing with High-rise Littering Offences

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment about data collection, effectiveness of surveillance cameras, and enforcement numbers for high-rise cigarette butt littering, as well as potential use of DNA testing.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that high-rise cigarette butt littering makes up 54% of such offences, with 95% caught by cameras, and about 400 offenders caught annually from 2019 to 2021, and close to 130 from January to September 2022.
The Ministry confirmed that DNA testing is not being considered due to privacy concerns from collecting residents' DNA, but will explore other technologies to address high-rise littering.

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20 Oct 2022

Armed Robberies and Deterrence Measures in Place in Financial Institutions in Heartland Areas

From January 2018 to August 2022, there were 43 armed robberies, with numbers decreasing from 14 in 2018 to eight in 2021.
The Penal Code imposes severe penalties of two to 14 years' imprisonment and at least 12 strokes of the cane for armed robbery, serving as a deterrent.
Banks and financial institutions in heartland areas are required by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to deploy security measures such as CCTV, access controls, intrusion detection, panic alarms, and armed guards.
The Singapore Police Force monitors crime trends and will implement appropriate anti-crime measures as needed.
Additional measures will be considered and implemented based on ongoing assessments of the crime situation.

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20 Oct 2022

Success Rate in Prevention of Scams Following Co-location of Bank Staff at Police's Anti-scam Centre

Since banks began co-locating staff with the Police's Anti-Scam Centre, over 5,400 scam reports involving bank transfers and withdrawals were received between July and September 2022, with more than 3,400 bank accounts frozen to disrupt scammers' operations and aid recovery.
The main cause for scams not being prevented is that scammers, often based overseas, transfer stolen funds quickly through multiple financial instruments and abroad, making detection and recovery difficult.
Despite efforts like real-time coordination and public education, it is not possible to stop every scam attempt due to the resources and tactics used by scammers.

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20 Oct 2022

Increase in Numbers of Young People Aged 21 and Under Arrested for Causing Serious Hurt

The number of youths aged 21 and below arrested for causing serious hurt fluctuated over the years, with 85 arrests in 2021 and 27 in the first half of 2022, and no clear long-term trend, while the percentage of youth offenders among all such offences remains low.
The government attributes youth offending to complex, multifaceted factors and has adopted a multi-stakeholder approach involving education, prevention, and rehabilitation to address the issue.
Initiatives include school talks, crime prevention exhibitions, and programmes like the Delta League, Joint Outreach Programmes, and Streetwise Programme to engage youths and steer them away from violence and gang activities.
The Police and other agencies will continue collaborating with schools and stakeholders to expand outreach and support for at-risk youths.

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20 Oct 2022

Security Measures at Preschools to Prevent Intrusions by Unauthorised Persons

The Ministry of State for Social and Family Development outlined that all preschools regulated by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) are required to secure their premises, use electronic locks, record entries and exits, and have standard operating procedures for emergencies, with mandatory evacuation exercises every six months.
ECDA conducts regular licensing and supervisory visits to ensure compliance, reviews and updates regulations as needed, and collaborates with the Singapore Police Force to organise counter-terrorism seminars and advise on public safety advisories like "Run-Hide-Tell."
In response to concerns about dismissal times and identification of caregivers, the Minister noted that preschools generally check and authenticate caregivers before releasing children, with some centres using staggered dismissal timings and maintaining records of pre-designated caregivers.

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5 Oct 2022

Assistance from Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in Cases Involving Employment Kickbacks

MOM investigates employment kickbacks under the EFMA and uses its enhancements to enforce against such offences.
MOM has existing processes to work with other agencies or obtain information when needed during investigations.
If other agencies’ offences are uncovered, MOM alerts them, including the CPIB, for further action.

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5 Oct 2022

Protection and Expedited Protection Orders Granted under Protection from Harassment Act 2014

He Ting Ru asked for statistics on Protection Orders, Expedited Protection Orders, committal orders, and alleged breaches referred to the Public Prosecutor over the past five years.
K Shanmugam provided figures on Protection Orders and Expedited Protection Orders granted in the past five years and noted two applications for committal orders as of 30 June 2022.
The Ministry of Law stated that information on cases of alleged breaches referred to the Public Prosecutor is not readily available.

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5 Oct 2022

Cases Filed with Protection from Harassment Court

He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Law for the number of cases filed with the Protection from Harassment Court broken down by type, including sexual harassment, workplace harassment, cyberbullying, doxxing, and harassment by debt collectors or creditors.
K Shanmugam provided statistics on the breakdown of harassment cases filed with the court from 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022.
The response did not include the specific numbers for each category mentioned in the query, only that the statistics were provided.
The debate focused on the need for detailed data to address various forms of harassment in Singapore.
The exchange highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in handling harassment cases through the Protection from Harassment Court.

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5 Oct 2022

Outcome of Cases Filed with Protection from Harassment Court Since Its Operationalisation

Since its operationalisation on 1 June 2021, the Protection from Harassment Court (PHC) received 650 civil remedy applications by 30 June 2022, with 173 protection orders granted and damages awarded in nine cases.
For alleged Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) offences, 626 Magistrate’s Complaints were filed in the Magistrate’s Court from 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022, but information on how many were referred to the Public Prosecutor is not readily available.
The PHC handles civil remedies only, while criminal complaints for POHA offences are filed separately in the Magistrate’s Court, with the Police potentially investigating before any referral to the Public Prosecutor.

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5 Oct 2022

Key Lessons from Trial of Battery Swapping for Electric Motorcycles

The Transport Minister noted that Taiwan’s experience with battery-swapping electric motorcycles shows one isolated fire incident, prompting LTA to pilot the technology cautiously in regulatory sandboxes.
The current 12-month trial is limited to 26 electric motorcycles across two providers, with any expansion requiring LTA approval based on safety progress.
Battery-swapping electric motorcycles are expected to be used for both commercial point-to-point services and private purposes once safety is established.

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5 Oct 2022

Fires at Waste Recycling Collection Sites and Installation of Fire Suppressant Equipment to Minimise Such Fires

In 2021 there were 11 fires at general waste disposal facilities, six involving waste materials; from 1 January to 17 September 2022 there were 12 such fires, nine involving waste materials.
The Fire Code mandates appropriate fire protection systems for waste recycling facilities, with system type depending on facility size, and building plans must be submitted to and approved by the SCDF.
SCDF collaborates with the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore to hold dialogues and seminars on fire safety, and the NEA and SCDF are issuing a joint circular and best practices guide to the industry by end-2022.

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5 Oct 2022

Amending Small Claims Tribunal Act 1984 to Offer Cost-effective Civil Measures to Recover Misdirected Funds from Electronic Transfers

Murali Pillai proposed amending the Small Claims Tribunal Act 1984 to create cost-effective civil measures for recovering misdirected funds from electronic transfers, citing the growing adoption of such transfers and cases of payment errors.
K Shanmugam outlined existing procedures where senders should first contact the unintended recipient or their bank, with MAS guidelines facilitating refunds without legal action, and noted that refusing to return funds could lead to police reports and charges under the Penal Code.
The Minister also mentioned that civil claims can be filed in Magistrates’, District, or High Courts depending on the claim value, and agreed to consider the amendment suggestion in future reviews of the Act.

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5 Oct 2022

Consulting with Senior Residents on Locations for Pedestrian Crossings

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about pedestrian safety for seniors, asking about LTA’s planning norms, criteria for building overhead bridges or underpasses, and whether co-creation with senior residents is used to set up natural crossings in areas with many seniors.
The Minister for Transport explained that LTA prioritizes safety by providing signalized or zebra crossings as a default, with grade-separated crossings for wider, higher-speed roads, and has retrofitted 77 pedestrian overhead bridges with lifts, with plans to retrofit 30 more and ensure all new bridges are barrier-free.
LTA has implemented initiatives like Green Man + crossings and Silver Zones in areas with high senior populations, which include design features to slow traffic and improve safety, resulting in an 80% reduction in senior pedestrian accidents.
The Minister also highlighted community collaboration, such as repurposing roads for wider footpaths and barrier-free access, with examples like Havelock Road.
These measures collectively show LTA’s commitment to enhancing road safety for seniors through infrastructure planning, community engagement, and targeted interventions.

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5 Oct 2022

Measures to Protect the Young and Elderly from Monkey Invasions of Urban Environment

NParks monitors monkey distribution near homes, nursing homes, and childcare facilities and uses science-based research to guide habitat modifications, such as replacing fruit trees, to reduce food sources.
The government collaborates with community groups, volunteers, and experts to implement monkey guarding, trap aggressive monkeys, and explore long-term population control like sterilisation, while assisting residents affected by attacks.
Public education programmes, including talks at preschools and engagement sessions, teach residents how to safely interact with monkeys and prevent incidents through proper refuse management and avoiding illegal feeding.

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5 Oct 2022

Registration for Overseas Entities who wish to Buy, Sell or Transfer Properties in Singapore as Anti-money Laundering Measure

The debate centered on whether Singapore should require overseas entities to register with ACRA and disclose beneficial owners, similar to the UK’s 2022 anti-money laundering measure, when buying, selling, or transferring properties.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary noted that ACRA already maintains a register of registrable controllers for companies and foreign entities operating in Singapore, and professionals in real estate transactions must conduct due diligence to mitigate money laundering risks.
She confirmed that agencies are assessing whether a UK-style register would be useful in Singapore, while Murali Pillai asked if such ownership data should be publicly accessible to aid due diligence.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the concerns and stated the proposal would be taken back for feasibility consideration.

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5 Oct 2022

Progress on Framework for Equitable Sharing of Losses Between Scam Victims and Financial Institutions

MAS is finalising a fair and effective framework for equitable loss-sharing between scam victims and financial institutions, which is taking longer than expected to ensure shared responsibility across the ecosystem and will be opened for public comments soon.
The Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams (IMCS) and Project FRONTIER have strengthened enforcement and coordination, leading to the freezing of over 7,800 accounts and recovery of more than S$80 million in the first half of 2022, alongside over 4,300 arrests related to scams.
Public education campaigns like "Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes" are expanding to raise awareness, while the government advises victims to immediately notify banks, call dedicated hotlines, and use the ScamShield app for reporting.
MAS is considering the speed of rolling out the loss-sharing framework and enhancing coordination for real-time scam interventions, but does not currently track response times for interrupting illegal transfers.
Interim recourse for victims remains limited, with authorities emphasizing vigilance and urging the public to report unusual transactions immediately while awaiting the final framework.

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4 Oct 2022

Enforcement Actions Against Vehicle Owners and Workshops Since Increase of Penalties for Illegal Vehicle Modifications

Enforcement actions against vehicle owners increased by 6% in the 12 months after the penalty hike in July 2021, with 9,000 offences issued compared to the previous period.
The number of workshops charged for illegal modifications rose from two in the year before the penalty increase to six in the 12 months after.
While offences for illegal exhaust modifications decreased by 10% post-penalty increase, overall enforcement efforts were intensified to address the rise in motor vehicle traffic in 2022.

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4 Oct 2022

Accidents Reported Involving Workers Transported in Back of Lorries and Other Vehicles

Ms He Ting Ru inquired about the number of accidents involving workers transported in the back of lorries and other vehicles, including casualties and deaths, for each quarter in the last year.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that Traffic Police only tracks accidents involving lorry passengers with casualties or deaths, without recording occupation or seating position.
The response indicated that specific data on workers transported in the rear of vehicles is not available, as the focus is on passenger casualties in general.
The debate highlighted limitations in data collection regarding worker safety during transport in lorries and similar vehicles.
The exchange underscores the need for improved tracking of occupational transport risks to inform safety measures.

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4 Oct 2022

Utility of Maintaining Provisions in Chapter 9 of Penal Code 1871 Dealing with Corruption Involving Public Servants

Murali Pillai questioned the continued relevance of Chapter 9 of the Penal Code after the 1960 Prevention of Corruption Act was enacted.
The Minister clarified that while the PCA is primary, the Penal Code provisions offer targeted offences for bribery involving public servants without needing to prove inducement.
He stated these Penal Code offences complement the PCA and other laws for comprehensive corruption control.
The Minister acknowledged potential utility in moving these Penal Code offences into the PCA and indicated a future review.

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