Public safety & law — Topics

4 Jul 2022

Outcome of MUIS-directed Review of Financial Transactions between Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah and Irsyad Trust Limited

MUIS initiated an audit in April 2021 to review the financial transactions between Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah and Irsyad Trust Limited from 2013, aiming to identify any fraudulent or illegal activities.
Based on preliminary findings, MUIS lodged a Police report in July 2021, and the audit is still ongoing alongside Police investigations.
The Minister is unable to disclose further details at this stage due to the ongoing investigations.
Follow-up actions will depend on the outcomes of the MUIS audit and Police investigations, which are not yet concluded.
The review is part of MUIS's oversight to ensure accountability and compliance in financial dealings involving the Madrasah and related entities.

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4 Jul 2022

Average Duration to Investigate Scam-related Case and Resolution and Release of Bank Accounts Frozen and Proportion of Funds Lost Recovered

The Minister stated that police do not track average investigation times for scam cases, as duration varies based on factors like scam type, how well the scammer covers tracks, and whether the scammer is overseas.
Bank accounts involved in scams are frozen as part of investigations, and funds are returned to victims through court disposal orders after investigations end, with the timing depending on case specifics like multiple claimants or ongoing legal proceedings.
Since June 2019, the Anti-Scam Centre has recovered about $200 million out of over $822 million reported losses, representing a roughly 25% recovery rate, though recovery is harder when funds are transferred abroad.

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4 Jul 2022

Avenues of Recourse when Social Media Organisations Do Not Comply with Government's Directions

Darryl David asked if the government has recourse when social media organisations fail to comply with directions to disable harmful content, disallow accounts, or remove egregious content.
Josephine Teo stated that two proposed Codes of Practice aim to enhance online safety, with one allowing IMDA to direct providers to disable access to harmful content in Singapore.
She emphasised that non-compliance must lead to enforcement actions, with details of the enforcement framework to be provided after studying international and local models.

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4 Jul 2022

Steps to Protect Singapore's Critical Infrastructure from Malware Threat

The Minister explained that malware like Pipedream targets industrial control systems and can disrupt operations, collect data, or cause physical harm, but no such attacks have been found in Singapore’s critical infrastructure.
The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has issued advisories, required critical infrastructure owners to meet cybersecurity standards, and launched the SG Cyber Safe Programme to help companies strengthen defenses.
The government provides toolkits, certifications like Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust marks, and public advisories to raise awareness and support companies in taking necessary precautions.

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4 Jul 2022

Use of Seat Belts and Other Measures for Safety of Personnel Seated at Back of SAF Tonners

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Defence about the introduction of seat belts and other safety measures for personnel at the back of SAF tonners, and the reasons for these improvements.
Ng Eng Hen stated that since 2011, all SAF tonners have been equipped with safety lap belts for rear passengers.
Other measures introduced since 1985 include protective side boards, railings, canopies, and rear safety straps from 2000, along with seating capacity and speed limits.
SAF transport operators are trained to enforce safety and can halt vehicles if needed, with periodic reviews updating measures.
The SAF periodically reviews and updates safety measures in training and operations.

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4 Jul 2022

Reasons for Recent Spate of Fires at Residential Dwelling and Measures to Proactively Deal With Fire Hazards

The number of fire cases in HDB estates has steadily decreased over the past five years, and the general fire situation is assessed to be stable.
The top causes of fires are unattended cooking, careless disposal of lighted materials like cigarette butts, and electrical fires from faulty wiring or appliances, while cluttered homes are not considered a key risk factor.
Current legislation and enforcement powers are deemed adequate, with no plans to expand the list of regulated flammable materials or to introduce new measures targeting cluttered homes.

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4 Jul 2022

Reasons and Countermeasures for Recent Rise in Workplace Incidents

There has been a worrying rise in workplace fatalities in the first half of 2022 compared to pre-COVID levels, with most incidents due to preventable safety lapses in high-risk industries like Construction and Transport.
The Ministry of Manpower has strengthened enforcement, including more inspections, higher fines, stop work orders, and plans for new codes of practice and procurement policies to hold company leaders accountable for workplace safety.
MOM encourages reporting unsafe acts through various channels, protects whistleblowers, and supports SMEs via programmes like bizSAFE, while calling for a concerted effort from all parties to review and improve workplace safety practices.

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4 Jul 2022

Cases of Renovation Contractors Failing to Carry Out Works after Collecting Deposits

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the increase in renovation contractor fraud cases since January 2022, the total value of reported cases, steps taken by the SPF, and the amount of money recovered.
The Minister responded that renovation fraud involves contractors taking deposits without intent to perform, which can lead to cheating charges under the Penal Code, with 100 cases investigated between 2019 and 2021 and 72% prosecuted.
He noted that some cases may involve genuine business distress or economic factors like COVID-19, and proving fraudulent intent can be challenging, prompting a review of potential law amendments.
Recovery of funds is often difficult, and homeowners are advised to engage reputable contractors accredited by the Consumer Association of Singapore and Singapore Renovation Contractors.

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4 Jul 2022

Endangered Species (Import and Export) (Amendment) Bill

Singapore is amending the Endangered Species Act to strengthen regulations on trade in CITES species, align laws with international resolutions, and introduce stiffer penalties, including higher fines and jail terms for illegal wildlife trade.
The amendments enhance enforcement powers for NParks, such as seizing concealment items and conveyances, and clarify rules for transit documentation to better police illegal shipments through Singapore’s hub.
MPs proposed further measures, such as classifying wildlife trafficking as a serious organized crime, introducing informer rewards, and explicitly criminalizing buying CITES species, with the government indicating ongoing review of these ideas.
The debate highlighted Singapore’s role in combating global illegal wildlife trade, with emphasis on public education, online enforcement, and balancing proportionate penalties with regional comparisons.

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4 Jul 2022

Public Defenders Bill

The Public Defenders Bill seeks to establish a framework for appointing a Chief Public Defender and public defenders to provide legal representation to accused persons of limited means in certain criminal proceedings.
The bill was presented by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law on behalf of the Minister for Law and was read for the first time, with a second reading scheduled for the next sitting.
The legislation also includes related amendments to certain other Acts to support the implementation of the public defender system.

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4 Jul 2022

Singapore Armed Forces and Other Matters Bill

The bill amends the Singapore Armed Forces Act to establish a digital and intelligence service, increase maximum fines for disciplinary offences, and allow for the composition of military offences.
It also updates the Military Manoeuvres Act to permit military manoeuvres in catchment areas with Public Utilities Board approval.
The bill amends the Civil Defence Act and Police Force Act to provide for the composition of service and disciplinary offences, and includes related amendments to other Acts.
The Senior Minister of State for Defence presented the bill, which was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading in the next sitting.

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4 Jul 2022

Prison Conditions and Rehabilitation

The Minister for Home Affairs outlined Singapore's austere prison conditions, emphasizing security and monitoring, with cells ranging from seven to twenty square meters, no fans due to safety risks, and bedding consisting of straw mats and blankets to minimize contraband hiding and hygiene issues.
Rehabilitation is a key focus, with inmates provided educational tablets, recreational activities, and tailored programs, while medical and mental health needs are addressed through prison services and referrals to external hospitals, supported by feedback mechanisms and independent oversight.
Compared to other countries, Singapore has low recidivism and assault rates, attributed to strict discipline, zero tolerance for gangs, and continuous monitoring, with the government defending the conditions as acceptable and aligned with its correctional philosophy despite international scrutiny.
The government has allowed media access to prisons to increase transparency and is continuously reviewing aspects like alternative bedding materials and inmate snacks, while noting that prison overcrowding is not an issue in Singapore.

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4 Jul 2022

Reasons for Not Disclosing Racial Composition of Prison Inmate Population and Criminal Offender Figures

The Minister for Home Affairs explained that the government does not publicly disclose racial breakdowns of prison inmates and criminal offenders because it could deepen racial stereotypes and undermine social harmony, despite minorities being disproportionately represented.
The government selectively releases race-based statistics in other areas like population census and drug abuse to mobilize communities for positive interventions, but judges that releasing prison and crime data would do more harm than good.
Community leaders were consulted and unanimously agreed that publishing such data would not benefit society and would encourage stereotypes, preferring to share the information in closed-door settings to address issues collectively.
The prisons and MHA work with volunteers and community groups, including religious organizations, to rehabilitate inmates and reduce recidivism through tailored programs and post-release support.
The approach balances public interest with community feedback, aiming to foster racial harmony while still addressing crime and rehabilitation through targeted, non-public data sharing.

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9 May 2022

Avenues to Verify Collection of Donations on Purported Religious Grounds and Safeguards Available for Public to Raise Concerns if Collections are Not Used Legitimately

Donors are encouraged to use the "Ask, Check, Give" approach to verify charitable appeals, which includes asking fund-raisers about the purpose of donations, checking the Charity Portal for registration, and giving only after ensuring the cause is legitimate.
The Commissioner of Charities regulates all fundraising appeals in Singapore, and the public can report concerns about non-legitimate use of donations to the COC or file a police report if fraud is suspected.
For specific religious collections like zakat, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) manages the process, and the public can refer to MUIS's official website for authorised collection centres and security advisories.

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9 May 2022

Tracking of Local Companies which Experienced Cyber Attacks over Past Two Years and Measure to Equip Companies with Capabilities to Enhance Cyber Resilience

The Government tracks cybersecurity incidents reported to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), with 1,238 reports received in 2021 and 972 in 2020, primarily from Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) owners who are legally required to report, while other companies are encouraged to report voluntarily.
Companies with CII must comply with the Cybersecurity Act to implement security measures, and non-CII enterprises are supported through CSA’s SG Cyber Safe Programme, which includes advisories, alerts, and a certification scheme with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust marks.
CSA provides resources such as toolkits and a dedicated website to help companies enhance cyber resilience, promoting best practices and encouraging participation in the certification programme to demonstrate their cybersecurity posture.

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9 May 2022

Update on Cheating Cases at 2020 Part B Bar Examinations and Steps taken to Eliminate or Minimise such Cheating Cases

Ang Wei Neng sought updates on the 11 cheating cases from the 2020 Part B Bar Examinations, asked if any cheating was detected in the 2021 Bar Examinations, and requested details on steps taken to prevent or minimise cheating.
K Shanmugam indicated that the matter had already been addressed in prior parliamentary replies published on 9 May 2022, specifically in relation to Questions 3, 4, and 5.

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9 May 2022

Prosecution of Harassment of Public Servants or Public Service Workers in Execution of Their Duties

In 2019, 175 cases of harassment against public servants or Public Service workers were prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), with 185 cases in 2020 and 114 in 2021.
Offenders convicted under POHA for harassing public servants face fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to 12 months, with higher penalties under the Penal Code for more severe offenses like causing hurt.
The Minister clarified that POHA already protects private healthcare workers, and recent expansions include those involved in COVID-19 operations as Public Service workers for additional protection.

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9 May 2022

Number of Sign-ups for Safe Driving Course under Driver Improvement Points System and Its Success in Improving Driving Behaviour

From 1 November 2017 to 28 February 2022, 41,278 motorists signed up for the revised Safe Driving Course under the Driver Improvement Points System.
The course is voluntary for drivers with demerit points but not yet liable for suspension; those whose licences are suspended are ineligible, and automatic reinstatement occurs after suspensions under 12 months while longer suspensions require retaking driving tests.
The course has shown success, with 78% of completed participants remaining offence-free for at least one year after completion.

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9 May 2022

Steps to Address Potential Use of Social Media Bots to Manipulate Stock Trading in Singapore Exchange

The Prime Minister, through Tharman Shanmugaratnam, outlined that MAS and SGX Regco conduct surveillance and post-trade monitoring, with the capability to investigate social media when unusual trading is detected.
If bots are identified, authorities will work with social media providers to disable accounts or remove content and collaborate with trading members to disrupt suspicious activity, including suspending securities or disabling accounts.
MAS, the Commercial Affairs Department, and SGX Regco have issued public advisories warning investors to be cautious of stock recommendations on social media, as they may be manipulative or not from real individuals.

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9 May 2022

Accidents Involving Barriers and Vehicles in HDB Car Parks

In the past three years, there were 121 barrier-related incidents reported across HDB’s more than 2,000 residential car parks.
The main reasons for these accidents were drivers of larger vehicles misjudging the turning radius and knocking into barriers, or drivers misjudging the speed of the barrier arm and attempting to drive out while it was still moving.
Humps installed before barriers are effective in reducing vehicle speed and have helped keep the number of barrier-related accidents low.
Motorists are also urged to drive safely, exercise care, and be patient in car parks to prevent such incidents.

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