K Shanmugam
Singapore
“Bank accounts are frozen when there is reason to suspect that the bank accounts are involved in illicit activities, including money laundering activities.”
“The Singapore Police Force does not track the requested data. Distinguishing artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content typically requires more detailed forensic examination which may not be necessary in every investigation and may also not be conclusive as to whether AI-generative tools were used.”
“The Building and Construction Authority’s Code on Accessibility provides baseline requirements for accessible and inclusive buildings. It stipulates a minimum width of 1.5 metres or 1.8 metres for primary accessible routes, depending on the building type.”
“The Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licence) Rules under the Road Traffic Act set out the scope of the medical assessment required for motorists aged 65 and above who wish to retain their driving licences.”
“When a Police report has been made, the Police will investigate to determine if a criminal offence has been committed. If there is reasonable suspicion that a case is scam-related, the Police can direct online service providers to restrict Singapore users' access to the relevant online activity under the Online Criminal Harms Act.”
“Through intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement actions, the cross-border operation disrupted a transnational drug trafficking syndicate and downstream drug trafficking activities, with the UK arresting seven persons so far and further investigations underway.”
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“A significant proportion of phone scams are committed by foreign syndicates. The modus operandi usually involve the following steps: (a) the perpetrator will claim to be officials from foreign countries, without providing enough information about themselves for the victims to be able to verify their identity; and (b) the perpetrator will ask the victim to make payments over the phone, and to give bank details, credit card numbers, one-time passcode (OTP) from tokens or passport numbers. These phone scams are similar to other forms of scam in that they exploit the vulnerabilities of potential victims. Individuals can adopt the following measures to avoid being a victim. First, they should exercise vigilance when dealing with unsolicited phone calls, letters or emails, including those purportedly from Government officials or law enforcement agencies. They should not give their personal and banking details to strangers and should bear in mind that most governments will not ask for payments over the phone. Second, they can call the authorities that the callers claimed themselves to be from to ascertain the authenticity of the phone call, letter or email. They can also call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg run by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). The Police have worked with stakeholders, such as convenience stores, remittance agencies and banks, to raise their awareness and to put in place prevention measures. This includes training frontline counter staff to spot scam victims and displaying crime advisories prominently at the counters and automated teller machines. These efforts have resulted in heightened awareness and vigilance amongst their staff, which helped prevent at least 30 scams involving more than $370,000 in 2017.”
“The Traffic Police, Land Transport Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority and Housing Development Board issue traffic and parking summonses only when there is strong evidence that the recipient has committed an offence. In cases where the offender is the vehicle owner, he would be notified of the offence within a week. In cases where the offender is not the vehicle owner, he would be notified of the offence within six weeks or so. More time is required, as the agency needs to establish his identity, based on the information provided by the vehicle owner and other relevant facts. The above time norms may not apply in scenarios where the offence was reported by members of the public without strong accompanying evidence. In such cases, the relevant agency will conduct an investigation to establish the facts of the case.”
“An individual’s ability to operate a vehicle safely may be affected with age. Hence, the Traffic Police require all motorists above the age of 65 to have their fitness to drive certified. Motorists licensed to operate motorcycles or light vehicles, such as passenger cars, are required to undergo a prescribed medical examination once every three years when they turn 65. However, those who are licensed to operate heavy vehicles are required to undergo a prescribed medical examination and a proficiency driving test annually when they turn 65. Past the age of 70, they are required to undergo enhanced versions of the medical examination and proficiency driving test, still on an annual basis. Heavy vehicles tend to cause more harm than light vehicles and motorcycles, when accidents occur. They also require more skill and mental alertness to operate. The additional requirements for heavy vehicle drivers, including the annual proficiency test, are necessary to ensure that they remain able to operate the vehicles safely despite their age.”
“The Police are investigating oBike Asia Pte Ltd or "oBike Singapore" for misappropriation of funds. As investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further.”
“Only a minority of e-commerce scams have been solved. One reason is that a significant proportion of online crimes, including e-commerce scams, are committed by syndicates based overseas. Online crimes are also difficult to solve due to the anonymity provided by the Internet. For the same reasons, the number of persons prosecuted is low, compared to the number of scams reported. The Police have been working with operators of online platforms to put in place measures to better protect users. The online platforms have put up advisories on how users can minimise their risk of falling victim to scams, for example, to require cash on delivery and to check the items carefully before completing the transaction. If advance payments are required, users should make use of secured payment systems. For example, Carousell has recently introduced CarouPay, an escrow payment system. Using the system, payment will only be released to the sellers after the buyers have acknowledged receipt of the items purchased.”
“We take tough action against people smugglers. Between 2016 and July 2018, eleven persons were charged and successfully prosecuted under the Immigration Act for people smuggling or abetment. They were sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from six to 30 months, and caning of up to six strokes. People smuggling is a transnational crime, and so we also work closely with our foreign counterparts through regular information exchanges and law enforcement cooperation.”
“To deter outrage of modesty (OM), the Police conduct patrols at bus interchanges, train platforms and on board trains. The Police are also working with community volunteers through the Citizen on Patrol (COP) initiative to complement the patrols conducted by the Police. The Police will continue their efforts to educate and raise public awareness of OM. Advisories have been placed at prominent locations in the Mass Rapid Transit stations, bus interchanges, on trains and buses. Police officers have been distributing advisories on OM to commuters. We urge victims to make a Police report as soon as possible. Reporting the crime early is crucial to help the Police identify and arrest the perpetrator. OM happens during both peak and off-peak hours, in roughly the same proportion. Hence, we urge commuters to be vigilant at all times. The percentage of OM cases involving male victims has remained relatively low over the past three years. The Police are monitoring the increase in OM cases and will regularly review their measures.”
“From 2015 to 2017, the number of reported investment scams has doubled, from about 200 to over 400 cases a year. A key reason is the emergence of unregulated online investment platforms. These platforms allow trades across a wide range of products, such as currencies, shares, commodities and binary options. The public usually comes across such platforms via online advertisements, emails and unsolicited phone calls and messages. The operators of these online platforms are usually based outside Singapore, and payments are made directly to overseas bank accounts. Since 2015, the Commercial Affairs Department has charged 30 persons for their roles in 14 investment scams. The number of successfully prosecuted cases looks low compared to the number of Police reports. One of the reasons is that a significant proportion of investment scams today are committed remotely by syndicates operating in foreign countries, or the alleged investment assets, for example, distressed properties and agricultural products like seaweed farms, are overseas and difficult for the Police to track down conclusively. Also, one investment scam may have multiple victims, resulting in many Police reports. Some losses alleged in reports are not due to scams, but the ups and downs of the market. A person who is convicted of a cheating offence under section 420 of the Penal Code may be liable for imprisonment of up to 10 years. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law are reviewing the need to further strengthen our legislative levers against fraud offences, as part of the ongoing review of the Penal Code. The Police will also continue to work closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to crack down on overseas syndicates targeting Singaporeans.”
“Police investigations into Swiber Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries are ongoing. Investigations of this nature require the careful review of a large volume of documents. It is inappropriate to comment further on the case, so as not to prejudice the investigation.”
“The Traffic Police is similarly reviewing the digitisation of the qualified driving licence. More information will be released when the review is completed.”
“The Police will review Police reports to assess if an offence could have been committed, and whether further investigations are warranted. Where Police investigations are initiated, the facts of the case will be examined and investigations conducted. Police reports and findings from investigations are retained. There are several good reasons for retaining the reports. For example, if there is a need to relook at what had happened, the records will be important. Immigration facilities and work passes are assessed on the individual merits of the case. The factors taken into consideration include, among other things, criminal and security antecedents, if any. The Nominated Member of Parliament's (NMP's) question appears to be related to foreigners who apply for Short-Term Visit Passes, work passes and student passes. Foreigners have no absolute right to demand such immigration facilities in Singapore. It is for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to assess their eligibility for such facilities. Where a foreigner is being investigated in respect of a criminal offence, an application for an immigration facility, as mentioned by the NMP, will be held back, until the investigations are concluded. The investigations are obviously a relevant factor to consider. We assume that the NMP will not advocate that ICA or MOM grant an immigration pass to a foreigner who is being investigated – by way of an example – for committing a criminal offence like cheating people.”
“There were 10 deaths resulting from alcohol-related violence over the past 10 years. The number of deaths resulting from drink-driving accidents has fallen from 22 deaths in 2009 to 14 in 2017. On average, there were 16 such deaths per year. The Police will continue to take tough action against alcohol-related offences.”
“We look forward to welcoming all interested States to Singapore to be the first signatories to the Convention. Within Singapore, the next step is to ensure that we are "Singapore Convention-ready" in two ways: first, that our businesses are familiar with and competent in the use of mediation as another tool to handle commercial disputes; and second, that we have a good pool of practitioners who are capable of handling international commercial mediation and advising parties on its use. MinLaw will work with the industry and mediation institutions like the SIMC to conduct briefings to raise awareness of international commercial mediation, and to have available training in this area for interested corporate executives and legal practitioners. The Singapore Convention on Mediation is a great opportunity for Singapore to further strengthen our reputation as an international dispute resolution hub and for our legal industry to play a greater role in this growth area. My Ministry looks forward to working closely with the legal industry to propagate the benefits of the Convention and the strengths of our dispute resolution services to ensure that the needs of international commercial businesses operating out of Singapore continue to be well-served.”
“The team included the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) representatives and local industry experts, all of whom played a big part in seeing to the outcome we have today. Over a period of about three years, the delegation worked on the terms of the Convention, negotiating and building consensus when there were different positions amongst member states, and taking steps to ensure that diverse interests were accommodated. This process was chaired by a Singaporean. Overall, our team at UNCITRAL was able to exercise thought leadership on various issues of differences which emerged over the course of negotiations, leading to a successful outcome. While conclusion of the Convention would be a significant achievement, it is but the start of a long journey. Adoption will take time, as individual countries consider the implications of becoming parties to the Convention, get the support of various domestic stakeholders and make the necessary adjustments to enable implementation. When the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the New York Convention) was first adopted in 1958, it had 10 signatories. This year, as it marks its 60th anniversary, the New York Convention now covers close to 160 parties. The Singapore Convention on Mediation will enter into force six months after three States have signed and ratified the Convention. We hope that a critical mass of like-minded countries can sign on to the Convention in the first instance when the Convention is open for signature in Singapore in August next year. Singapore will support UNCITRAL in its work to promote awareness of the Convention amongst member states. Singapore will also be happy to share our own expertise and experience supporting and developing international commercial mediation.”
“This is a strong testament to Singapore's leadership in international dispute resolution and Singapore’s contribution to the development of the Convention. Singapore is today one of the leading cross-border dispute resolution centres in the world. We have a trusted legal system, with strong rule of law. We provide a complete suite of professional dispute resolution services to meet the varying needs of business, including litigation, arbitration and mediation. To this end, we have also set up Maxwell Chambers, the world’s first integrated dispute resolution complex. As part of our efforts to strengthen the dispute resolution ecosystem, Singapore has invested heavily in the development of international commercial mediation, including through building up institutions and updating our laws. In 2014, we set up the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) to provide international commercial mediation services and the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) to set standards for mediation and professionalise the sector. In 2016, we set up the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy to complement service and training with research, to develop Singapore thought leadership in negotiation and dispute resolution, including in mediation. In 2017, the Singapore Parliament passed the Mediation Bill to strengthen the enforceability of mediated settlement agreements in Singapore. In other words, we have already sought to address in Singapore the fundamental problem which the Convention seeks to overcome. As part of this effort, Singapore also contributed directly to the development of the Convention at UNCITRAL. We had a multi-agency team which worked hard on this.”
“On 25 June 2018, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) at its 51st session in New York, decided to recommend to the 73rd United Nations General Assembly the following: first, to adopt a United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation; second, to authorise a signing ceremony for the Convention to be held as soon as practicable in 2019 in Singapore; and third, for the Convention to be known as the "Singapore Convention on Mediation". The Commission also adopted the Model Law on International Commercial Mediation and International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation. In recent years, mediation has become an increasingly popular means for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. Mediation is cost-effective, flexible and efficient. It is particularly attractive for businesses which wish to preserve relationships and leave open the possibility of working together in future. However, one oft-cited concern of mediation is the lack of enforceability, should one party later renege on his obligations. The Convention will address this concern. It will make it easier for businesses to enforce mediated settlement agreements, provide certainty to users, and facilitate international commerce. Singapore will host the signing ceremony of the Convention in August next year. It will be the first UN treaty named after Singapore. This will put Singapore on the world map for our thought leadership. Support for Singapore to host the signing of this significant Convention and for the Convention to be known as the "Singapore Convention on Mediation" at UNCITRAL was unanimous.”
“It allows inmates to serve the tail-end of their DRC detention in the community under structured supervision, supporting their reintegration back into society. We will continue to work closely with our community partners to strengthen the support to inmates on this front.”
“The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) introduced the Enhanced Drug Rehabilitation Regime (EDRR) in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) in 2014. Under the EDRR, inmates are assessed for their risks of re-offending and the severity of their drug abuse problem upon admission into DRC. They undergo psychology-based correctional programmes which are calibrated to their risk levels and target the underlying attitudes and beliefs behind their drug abuse problem. For example, lower-risk inmates learn about the consequences of drug use and pick up skills to prevent relapse. Higher-risk inmates will undergo high-intensity counselling programmes which address multiple risks and needs, such as criminal thinking and drug addiction issues. SPS also provides meaningful activities to engage DRC inmates and encourage them to desist from future drug abuse by pursuing healthy alternatives. One example is the Basketball Clinic programme, which encourages inmates to take up the sport, and inculcates positive values like teamwork. Another example is Urban Farming, which was introduced in May this year. Through this activity, inmates learn how to collaborate with others and to take ownership of shared goals. DRC inmates also participate in family programmes, skills training and religious counselling. So far, we have seen encouraging results with the enhanced regime in DRC. The two-year recidivism rate of DRC inmates has come down from 60%-70% in the 1990s to around 30% for the 2015 release cohort. We will continue to enhance the regime for even better outcomes. While interventions within DRC are important, community-based programmes also form an integral component of rehabilitation.”
“The aggrieved party, therefore, has the option to enforce the agreement through civil proceedings. Alternatively, if the parties feel it may be useful, CMC will offer parties another round of mediation at no further cost.”
“Community mediation is generally a voluntary process and can be proceeded with only if both parties agree to mediate. For cases that do not proceed with mediation, the parties may end up resolving their issues through other informal means. For example: (a) they have directly communicated with each other and arrived at a resolution; or (b) grassroots or community leaders have assisted the parties to hold a conversation that leads to a satisfactory outcome for them. However, for intractable cases where parties are unable to resolve their disputes by voluntary mediation or other informal means, the aggrieved party can file a case with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) as a last resort. The CDRT judge can order the parties to attend mandatory mediation in the Courts or at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), attend counselling or fix the case for hearing. Therefore, while community mediation is generally voluntary, an avenue of compulsory mediation does exist and the failure to comply with the CDRT's order to attend mediation may attract legal consequences. Where the CDRT judge, on hearing the parties, decides to make a Court Order, this order can entail the payment of damages, require a party to do or refrain from doing something (for example, take measures to prevent cigarette smoke from drifting into neighbouring units), or apologise. If a party breaches the Court Order, the other party can apply for a Special Direction to ensure compliance. A refusal to comply with a Special Direction may lead to, among other measures, an Exclusion Order. This requires the non-compliant party to move out of his home. Written settlements reached by parties through mediation at CMC are private contracts. These contracts are binding on both parties.”
“A total of 5,400 naturalised Singapore Citizens renounced their citizenship between 1998 and 2017, an average of about 270 each year. Over the past 10 years, the annual renunciation rate for naturalised citizens has remained stable and low, at around 0.1%.”
“After arrest, where the Police are aware that a person is mentally ill, the Police will arrange for a trained volunteer to be with the mentally ill person during interviews with the investigation officer. By the end of 2018, the Police intend to pilot the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme, or HT CARES, at a Land Division, inter alia, for arrested persons who need treatment for mental illnesses. Under the scheme, social workers contracted by the Police, known as CARES officers, will work with the offender to identify underlying issues that could have led to the commission of the offence. We will study the effectiveness of this pilot, before deciding on the next steps. More details will be released later.”
“The increased street lighting and wider network of cameras have enhanced the deterrence and detection of illicit activities in the area, including at the junction of Aljunied Road and Geylang Road. We will continue our tough enforcement approach against illegal activities in Geylang and further step up as necessary.”
“Since 2015, we have adopted a coordinated, multi-agency approach to tackle illicit activities in Geylang, including the sale of sexual enhancement drugs and adulterated health products, that the Member mentioned. The Police, Central Narcotics Bureau and the Health Sciences Authority are involved in these coordinated operations. For this purpose, an inter-agency operations centre led by the Police was established at the Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre in 2016. Also, to optimise resources, the various law enforcement agencies have pooled and reorganised their respectively contracted Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) into coordinated enforcement teams. Since 2016, these APO enforcement teams have performed high-visibility patrols in Geylang and enforced against a wide range of regulatory offences. In 2017, the agencies jointly conducted more than 350 operations against peddlers of sexual enhancement drugs and illegal medicines, resulting in over 50 peddlers caught and seizures of about 735,000 units of such products with an estimated street value of about S$2 million. Under the Health Products Act, offenders caught supplying adulterated health products are liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding S$100,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding three years or to both. Foreign offenders caught peddling such sexual enhancement drugs and illegal medicines are repatriated and prohibited from re-entry into Singapore. The Police have also installed more cameras and improved the lighting in Geylang. A total of 171 additional cameras have been installed since 2015. This is a four times' increase from the 47 cameras in 2014.”
“The tables below show the breakdown of Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC), Long-Term Imprisonment 1 (LT1) and Long-Term Imprisonment 2 (LT2) inmates by educational level attained, as declared by inmates upon admission.”
“Investigations into the oil storage tank fire at Pulau Busing are ongoing. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was caused by a lightning strike on the rooftop of the tank. The Fire Code requires oil storage tanks to have a lightning protection system. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is investigating why the system seemed to have failed in this case. The first responders to the fire were the company’s Company Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT, stationed on Pulau Busing itself. Under the Fire Safety Act, companies storing more than five metric tonnes of petroleum and flammable materials are required to form a CERT. CERT members are trained in firefighting, rescue and first aid and are the first responders to fight the fire, before SCDF arrives. Companies are also required to provide a suite of firefighting systems and equipment. These include fixed and mobile firefighting monitors, foam-pouring protection systems and water pumps. These regulatory measures helped to contain the Pulau Busing fire. CERT managed to prevent the spread of the fire before SCDF arrived. During the fire, other companies on neighbouring islands also provided resources to help fight the fire. This is part of the industry-led Emergency Mutual Aid scheme. This was a large-scale fire and SCDF had to mount a complex operation to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent oil tanks, and to extinguish it. SCDF deployed 128 SCDF personnel, and 48 firefighting and support vehicles. Special large monitors that discharge 23,000 litres of foam solution per minute were deployed to fight the fire. Specific fire appliances to cool the adjacent oil tanks were also deployed. The fire was extinguished only after six hours.”
“Between 2015 and 2017, the Traffic Police (TP) enforced against 248 instances of drivers who failed to properly secure the loads on their vehicles. Of these, heavy vehicles accounted for 80%. In the same period, 13 accidents occurred due to vehicle loads falling onto the road, 11 of which involved heavy vehicles. To deter motorists from driving with unsecured loads, TP conducts regular enforcement operations, particularly along roads used by heavy vehicles. Offenders are liable for composition fines of up to $180 and up to six demerit points. TP also regularly engages heavy vehicle fleet-owners and drivers, through road-safety dialogues. TP uses these dialogues to share and encourage the adoption of best practices, including those related to securing loads on vehicles. In addition, the Workplace Safety and Health Council has issued advisories, such as the Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Safe Loading of Vehicles. Among other things, these advisories provide guidance on proper loading techniques for different types of cargo.”
“There has been a high volume of heavy vehicle traffic along Fort Road, Tanjong Rhu Road and Meyer Road. This is due to their proximity to major construction and unloading sites, such as those for the Thomson-East Coast Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line and the Marina East Staging Ground. In 2016 and 2017, Traffic Police detected a total of 170 traffic violations committed by heavy vehicle drivers along Fort Road, Tanjong Rhu Road and Meyer Road. Along these roads, the most common violation committed by heavy vehicle drivers was unauthorised U-turns. Aside from deploying more officers to the affected roads and taking enforcement action against errant drivers, Traffic Police has also been engaging construction site operators in the area and fleet-owners whose vehicles ply the roads frequently. This allows Traffic Police to enlist their support and work with them to promote good driving behaviour among their drivers. To manage road safety risks arising from high heavy-vehicle traffic, the Land Transport Authority has also developed traffic control plans for the area. As part of these plans, the travelling time and routes of heavy vehicles are carefully managed, such that peak hours and residential areas are avoided where possible. Site operators also conduct regular monitoring to ensure that heavy vehicles adhere to the control plans.”
“Through this collaboration, Clarke Quay has strengthened training of security officers, improved sharing of information, and introduced a code of practice that sets out best practices for entertainment outlets, such as the serving of complimentary water to patrons who consume liquor to slow down the rate of intoxication, and bag checks. These efforts contributed to an improvement in the law and order situation in the precinct between 2013 and 2016. As a result of these improvements, we recalibrated the restrictions, and allowed extended hours on some Fridays each month and for special events, such as F1-related festivities. Where we can, we have taken in suggestions from our partners and relaxed the regulatory requirements, but public safety and order must always be our key priority. We monitor law and order closely and have noticed an increase in crimes, such as fighting and drunkenness, in Clarke Quay over the past year. This may be due to the increased number of patrons visiting Clarke Quay. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, make adjustments if necessary, and partner stakeholders to ensure that our city maintains its attractiveness without compromising on our public order.”
“To ensure Singapore remains an attractive place for work and leisure, public safety and order have to be maintained. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regulates activities which present risks to public safety, security, and law and order. MHA consults stakeholders, such as Ministries, industry associations and businesses, when developing the regulations. We take into account business and other community interests, and adopt a calibrated, risk-based approach that is reviewed regularly. For example, nightclubs, bars and similar nightlife establishments are regulated under the Public Entertainments Act to maintain law and order and public safety at these establishments. When the Public Entertainments Act was recently reviewed, we consulted extensively with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association. Their inputs were considered and taken in, for instance, in updating the demerit points regime under the Public Entertainments Act. But where there are law and order problems on the ground, MHA has a responsibility to act firmly. Due to a rise in violent crimes in Clarke Quay, we have, since 2013, restricted liquor licensing hours in Clarke Quay from 6.00 am to 3.00 am the day after on weekdays and 4.00 am the day after on weekends and the eve of Public Holidays. In addition to regulations, regular Police patrols and enforcement, the Police also work with licensees and the community to promote responsible business operations and help maintain law and order. The Police, the Singapore Tourism Board and precinct stakeholders collaborated to make Clarke Quay a safer entertainment zone for patrons.”
“With regard to the TOLs issued in the East Coast/Marina Bay area, monthly stakeholder meetings are held to address any issues which require immediate attention, such as ground pollution. If TOL operators fail to implement the required mitigation measures satisfactorily, warning letters will be issued. In cases involving recalcitrant operators, the TOLs may be rescinded.”
“Temporary Occupation Licences (TOLs) are issued by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) for the temporary use of state land. Common temporary uses include the use of state land for community events or to support public infrastructure projects. As of 31 May 2018, a total of 13 TOLs have been issued in the East Coast/Marina Bay area for commercial plant operations. These comprise mainly concrete batching plants that support works carried out by contractors undertaking various public infrastructure projects, including the development of the Thomson-East Coast Line and the North South Corridor, which are critical transport infrastructure developments. SLA works with the relevant Government agencies, such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and National Environment Agency (NEA), to assess all TOL applications. Factors, such as the need and urgency of the project, traffic and environmental impact, and availability of alternative sites, are taken into consideration. Government agencies work with TOL operators to minimise potential disamenities. For example, the concrete batching plants in the East Coast/Marina Bay area are required to maintain a buffer from nearby residential premises to minimise nuisance from noise and dust. A Traffic Impact Assessment on the TOL sites at Marina East was also carried out, and two signalised junctions were implemented in the area to ensure smooth and safe traffic. There may still be instances where some traffic or environmental impact on users of nearby areas is unavoidable. In such cases, Government agencies will work with the TOL operators and stakeholders to implement suitable mitigation measures.”
“The Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects was launched in phases from April 2017. During the pilot phase, from April 2017 to April 2018, Appropriate Adults were activated to provide emotional support to young suspects investigated by the Police and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) at Bedok Division, by the Police's Criminal Investigation Department, and by CNB's Investigation Division. Feedback from investigation officers and Appropriate Adults has been positive. Since April 2018, the scheme has been expanded to cover Police and CNB cases investigated at Clementi, Central and Tanglin Divisions, as well as cases investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and Singapore Customs. With this expansion, the scheme is expected to support about half of all young suspects investigated by the Police and CNB. The full rollout is expected to be completed in mid-2019. The Singapore Children's Society (SCS) manages the scheme and is responsible for recruiting, training and deploying Appropriate Adults. There are currently 408 Appropriate Adults, and they have been activated about 690 times since April 2017. Volunteers have to undergo a day-long training session by SCS. The training is supported by the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore, the Law Society of Singapore, Attorney-General's Chambers, Singapore Police Force, CNB, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Council of Social Service.”
“The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) does not maintain records of inmates undergoing divorce proceedings, nor after they are released. Regardless of marital status, inmates undergo programmes based on their risk of re-offending and their needs. These include family programmes to address transitional issues for inmates and their families, and to equip them with knowledge and skills that will help strengthen their relationships with each other. More than 4,000 inmates benefited from family programmes in 2017. SPS aims to work with community partners to extend family programmes to more inmates.”
“Of the over 900 Police permits issued for public assemblies in 2017, only one was for a public assembly at Speakers' Corner. The rest were for public assemblies held elsewhere. Eight hundred and thirty-five of them were outdoor events. These events were mostly religious celebrations, and constituency events organised by grassroots organisations. Under the Public Order Act, a Police permit is required for a public assembly if the purpose of the gathering is to: (a) demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any persons, group of persons or any government; (b) publicise a cause or campaign; or (c) mark or commemorate any event. As for Speakers' Corner, there were 40 public events held there in 2017. A Police permit is not required if the event meets the conditions set out in the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2016. The one event in 2017 at Speakers' Corner where a Police permit was granted was a public assembly to promote awareness on breastfeeding. The event involved the participation of foreigners, which is against one of the exemption conditions. The Police granted a permit after assessing the event in totality, including that it did not promote a cause that was political, controversial or divisive in nature.”
“We have provisions in the Penal Code, Children and Young Persons Act, and Women's Charter that cover sexual offences against children and young people. For example, rape of a woman under 14 carries a mandatory minimum of eight years' imprisonment, and a maximum of 20 years. There is also mandatory caning of not less than 12 strokes. As part of the ongoing Penal Code Review, we are reviewing these laws and seeking to enhance protection for such vulnerable persons. To the Member's second question, sexual grooming of a minor under 16 is currently criminalised under section 376E of the Penal Code. This offence is also being reviewed, and we are also looking to enhance protection for minors against online communications of a sexual nature. The proposals from the Penal Code Review will be tabled for public consultation later this year.”
“They do not think how it can go wrong and, when it does go wrong, a life is lost, needlessly lost. Third, what are we going to do? It is imperative that we see what went wrong and learn the lessons. What more can we do to stop this sort of behaviour? We have clear rules. Commanders emphasise that to the officers and all new enlistees are told about the rules. Punishments have been meted out. Detentions have been given when infractions have been found. How do we make sure that there is zero tolerance? Parents send their children to NS. They trust us and we have to maintain that trust. So, I have directed SCDF as well as the other Home Team agencies to relook at the rules, how they are enforced, focus on the enforcement, come up with a further set of measures by next week. Once they are finalised, I will announce them next week. Meanwhile, I have made it clear that, hereafter, it will be a command responsibility to ensure that such conduct is not repeated. And hereafter, Unit Commanders will be held responsible for anything like this that happens, any kind of conduct that is in violation or in breach. Commissioner Erip Yap has sent a letter in very clear terms on this yesterday to all officers. He has also personally spoken to the Commanders, emphasising that message, and the same will be done with the other Home Team agencies. So, there will be zero tolerance and we will have to do, we will do our best not to let this happen again. Thank you, Sir.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are three aspects to this tragic case. First, of course, is the family. Their grief, their loss at CPL Kok’s passing, a young life which has been prematurely cut short. The family is at the front and centre of our thoughts and prayers. So, as we talk about the other matters, I want to emphasise that. It is tragic that this has happened, and we must, and will, do right by them and by the late CPL Kok. I will now also deal with two other points, that is, what happened in this case and, third, what we can do to try and make sure that this does not happen again. What happened? We will release the details that we can at this stage. There is a fair bit of evidence as to what happened, both witnesses' and objective evidence. But it is not appropriate for me to go into the details, the facts, at this stage. There will be a Board of Inquiry (BOI). The majority of the members will be from outside the Government. There will almost certainly also be criminal proceedings. The Attorney-General's Chamber has told me that, after reviewing the facts at this stage. Based on the facts that I have seen, I think so, too. I am usually very careful about saying these things. But I think so, too. There should be criminal charges. So, the BOI will look into the facts. The facts will also come out in public, through Court proceedings. Everything that is relevant will be out. What I can say is that the conduct was unacceptable. It was a clear and serious violation of the rules and there can be no excuse for the conduct. People play games. They horse around. They make people like CPL Kok do dangerous things. Even force them into dangerous situations. And people who do this do not think.”
“Singapore is a responsible member of the international community, and we strive to fulfill our international obligations, such as our efforts in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. We have been actively participating in international law-making at regional and multilateral forums. We play a leading role in key negotiations, such as dispute settlement, international cooperation to combat crime, and the recognition and enforcement of judgments. We do our part for the international community by serving as a neutral venue for state-related disputes, enabled through partnerships with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, among others. We will further the development of international law expertise in emerging issues through the support of local think-tanks. In line with the Smart Nation initiative, MinLaw and its Statutory Boards have embarked on digitalisation efforts to raise productivity and work efficiency, and to improve service delivery. We aim to improve the user experience by revamping our digital platforms, implementing mobile app-based services and employing data analytics to better understand our customers. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is also actively leveraging data and technology, including the development of a paperless Land Titles Registry system and the use of drones, to support land administration and management. SLA has been leading Singapore’s efforts in building geospatial capabilities together with the Government Technology Agency. It has launched GeoWorks, which facilitates the co-creation of business opportunities with startups and industry partners. SLA will be releasing the Singapore Geospatial Master Plan that will set out the strategic initiatives to strengthen Singapore's geospatial capabilities.”
“We have updated the relevant legislation and will strengthen our infrastructure with the expansion of Maxwell Chambers. We will help law firms and lawyers to develop the expertise required to better capture growth opportunities in key legal practice areas, such as restructuring, and projects and infrastructure. We are also helping them to prepare for the future economy through the adoption of technology, internationalisation and capability-building. We launched the Tech Start for Law programme in 2017 with the Law Society and the then-Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING), and will be developing the next phase of this programme to meet the needs of our law firms. We also launched the Lawyers Go Global programme with the Law Society and the then-International Enterprise (IE) Singapore in early 2018, which will help our law firms seize opportunities abroad through overseas mission trips, and branding and marketing efforts. The Singapore Academy of Law has launched the Legal Industry Framework for Training and Education (LIFTED), which supports legal practitioners, inhouse counsel, and legal support/ paralegals. We will work with the Academy, as well as other stakeholders, to support Singaporean lawyers in deepening skills and qualifications through the SkillsFuture Study Awards and SkillsFuture Credit. Intellectual property (IP) is an area with new growth potential. We are progressively reviewing our IP laws to keep pace with technology changes, strengthen IP protection, and enable industry to tap on potential gains. To support an innovation-driven economy, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore will develop more expertise in IP management, strategy and valuation, and help our businesses realise the full value of their IP through its IP ValueLab.”
“Together with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Courts, MinLaw has established the Family Justice Review Committee to enhance the family justice system, by reducing acrimony and stress in family-related litigation, to ensure a system that centres on the welfare of the child and the family. MinLaw will continue to provide legal aid and ensure that justice remains accessible to vulnerable Singaporeans. We will also enhance frameworks that enable Singaporeans to resolve their disputes quickly in a cost-effective manner, and as amicably as possible. The Community Mediation Centre provides mediation services and works with other agencies to promote neighbourliness within our communities. The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals and the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) provide cost-effective avenues for our people and businesses to resolve disputes without the need for legal representation. We are reviewing the claims limits for the SCT to allow more to benefit from this quick and inexpensive forum. We will continue to drive Singapore’s development as an international legal services hub, help our legal professionals acquire expertise in new growth areas, and assist them to access the opportunities afforded by the growth of Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). MinLaw will also continue to promote the international use of Singapore law, standards and frameworks in commerce and dispute resolution. MinLaw will work closely with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, the Singapore International Mediation Centre, and the Singapore International Commercial Court to strengthen our position as a venue of choice for international dispute resolution.”
“The mission of the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) is to advance access to justice and the rule of law in Singapore, as well as to develop our legal services to support our economy and society. Working with the people, our partners and stakeholders, we aim to realise our vision of "A Trusted Legal System; A Trusted Singapore". MinLaw will continue to review our laws to ensure that they remain progressive, modern and relevant to the evolving needs of our society. To ensure just outcomes and fair procedures in the criminal justice system, we amended the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act in 2018. We are reviewing the Penal Code together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the review committee will make its recommendations later this year. We intend to cover new offences to deal with the changing crime environment, introduce measures to enhance protection for vulnerable victims, and assess the adequacy of existing punishments for sexual offences. The laws on attempted suicide and marital rape immunity are also being reviewed. We are working closely with the Judiciary and legal practitioners on a broad-based review of our civil justice system. The aim is to keep legal costs affordable and to reduce complexity of civil proceedings. To meet these goals, we are reviewing the framework of legal costs and enhancing judicial control in civil proceedings. We are also studying measures to make it easier and more effective for plaintiffs to enforce judgments given in their favour, such as maintenance orders made in matrimonial disputes.”
“We will equip grassroots leaders and volunteers with emergency response skills, such as enabling them to perform psychological first aid to mitigate post-attack trauma. We will continue to partner the community to prevent radical ideologies from taking root in Singapore. We will also continue to promote our Community First Responders (CFRs) programme. As part of the Save-A-Life initiative, SCDF will install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in all Housing and Development Board estates by 2019, and pilot them in private condominiums. SCDF will collaborate with the Ministry of Health to train more people in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of AEDs. SCDF will expand the CFR scheme to include response to other incidents, such as rubbish fires. We will continue to partner the community in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. SPS will conduct more programmes for inmates and their families. The Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) will launch several initiatives to enhance the employability of ex-offenders, such as training to equip inmates with vocational skills in prevailing demand by potential employers. We will work with our international network of partners, including multilateral organisations, such as the International Criminal Police Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations, to deal with transnational crimes, drug trafficking and terrorism. With the support of Singaporeans, the Home Team will make Singapore a safe and secure home.”
“We will build up the capacity and capabilities of our Emergency Medical Services to deliver better emergency response outcomes while meeting the growing demand for such services. We will enhance our service delivery to the public with more convenient e-services and platforms. ICA has developed "MyICA", a web portal which allows citizens to access a full range of e-services with a single login. The Police Hub is a convenient one-stop portal for the public to lodge reports, provide feedback and check on transactions. To enable our law enforcement agencies to protect Singaporeans and deal with security threats more effectively, we have introduced new legislation, such as the Infrastructure Protection Act and the Public Order and Security (Special Powers) Act. We will complete a fundamental review of the Penal Code, where a significant focus has been placed on enhancing protection for vulnerable persons. We will build on our strong community networks and high levels of public trust, to leverage the collective strength of the community to deal with threats to Singapore’s safety and security. Our security response to the terrorism threat must be complemented by community vigilance and resilience. SGSecure will continue to be one of our priorities in this area. Since the launch of SGSecure, we have made good progress in raising public awareness about the threat of terrorism. We will next focus on enhancing the community’s preparedness to respond to such threats. At workplaces, we will develop advisories to enhance the capabilities of premises owners and small businesses in contingency planning and protective security. In schools, we will train our students in first aid and emergency drills.”
“The Home Team's joint capabilities will span the areas of operations, investigation and intelligence. The new Home Team Operations Centre will be a nerve centre which will employ cutting-edge technologies and harness data to ensure a swift and coordinated Home Team response to incidents. We will further integrate our island-wide network of cameras and sensors to enhance sense-making and enable us to identify and deal effectively with security threats and criminal activities. We will make a strong push in digital transformation and robotics. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will continue to integrate robotics, such as the use of exo-skeletons, into its operations to improve the safety and capabilities of our firefighters. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will employ more biometric solutions to tighten border security but will also facilitate more efficient immigration clearance through the use of automated clearance for cars. The Police investigation process will be digitalised, while the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) will trial the use of automation for urine testing. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) will use business intelligence tools to automate routine work, and video analytics to enhance supervision of inmates. These initiatives will free up our officers’ time, allowing them to perform more complex and higher value-added tasks, and improve their productivity and effectiveness. We will continue to invest heavily in our people. Home Team officers will have more training opportunities to keep abreast of digital transformation and the changing operational environment. Officers will be cross-trained to reap synergies and optimise resources.”
“The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will strive to deliver our mission of ensuring Singapore’s safety and security by transforming the Home Team for greater operational readiness and effectiveness and strengthening our engagement with the community and international partners. The security environment remains complex. The terrorism threat to Singapore continues to be at a high level. We will continue to strengthen our counter-terrorism capabilities. Criminal syndicates exploit technology and the Internet and operate across national boundaries. Online scams and online trafficking of drugs have become more prevalent. Our society has also been impacted by the worsening global drug situation, with new psychoactive substances emerging, and some countries adopting a more liberal approach towards drugs. We need to guard against attempts by foreign parties to exploit fault lines in our society and influence developments in Singapore to advance their own agenda. It is for Singaporeans to decide on our domestic politics and policies. We must defend our sovereign right to make choices for ourselves. Our racial and religious harmony has been a pillar of our peace, prosperity and progress. We must defend this vigorously, reject unequivocally teachings and practices that would divide us, and instead take active steps to grow our common space. The Home Team will have to deal with these security challenges even as we grapple with manpower constraints. We will take bold and transformative steps to develop stronger capabilities, leverage emerging technology for operations, deepen the proficiencies of our officers, and strengthen laws where necessary to enhance the Home Team’s effectiveness.”
“They ought to be respected, supported and be given the freedom to decide. If we disagree, we criticise their judgments, but let us not criticise them personally. That is very important. You need a Government – and I hope this is common to all Members here, and I believe it is common to all Members here, both Government and Opposition – that is very strong in protecting the standing of our Judiciary. Thankfully, we have not had debates in this House, nor among reasonable opinion outside, about the Judiciary along the lines that are taking place in many other countries. Thankfully, we do not have that and, therefore, we are able to deal with the substantive issues. One can argue, agree or disagree on specific aspects of the AOJP, but I do not think there is disagreement on the fact that our Judiciary has to be protected. In answer to Mr Christopher de Souza's question earlier on Judges' pensions, I am told by the Prime Minister that the Judges' pensions may have been taken into account in their overall remuneration. So, the answer I gave the Member is still strictly correct – in that they do not get pensions, nor medical benefits, but under the clean wage system, that factor may have been taken into account in their remuneration package. I checked it, but I will check that again. And if I have to correct it, I will come back and let the Member know.”
“So, we should not only maintain the standing of the Judiciary which, as I have said earlier, is not a given, but we have to work hard at it. I think that means continuing to get the best available legal talent, make sure that the standing of the judiciary is not subject to unfair attacks. Their judgments can be subjected to any sort of criticism you want as a matter of law. You can say they have gotten their law wrong. You can say that you disagree with them. But do not ascribe personal motives. And if you believe there are improper reasons, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) will investigate. We have a clear system. No one, in that sense, is above the law. So, we need to make sure of that. And you need a Government that is strong enough to make sure that it protects the standing of the Judiciary. Let me give Members an illustration. We had a verdict in the City Harvest case in the Court of Appeal in February. In terms of the actual sentences that were imposed, it is quite clear that the Government took the view that the sentences were not adequate. It is quite clear. We had said it even before the Court of Appeal ruled. We had said the sentence was not adequate, which was why the Public Prosecutor appealed. It was also clear that substantial public sentiment was very much not in favour of the judgment that was delivered. So, politically, the easiest thing – and that happens in many places – would have been for the Government to come to Parliament if it wanted to make a point and also join in, in the criticism. I think it is most unlikely that you will get a situation where the Minister for Law will stand here and say, while we disagree with the final result, nevertheless, judges ought not to be attacked.”
“We do have a clean wage. So, they do not get a pension or medical benefits. The same goes for many other parts of the Public Service, including political officeholders. As regards the Member's first question as to how we keep the enhanced standing of our Judiciary intact, I would, in fact, go further. I think we have a unique window of opportunity to make sure that our Judiciary is not just respected within Singapore. If you look at the development of Asia today – the huge economic growth – and the fact that if you look around in Asia, which place really stands out as the one place that has outstanding rule of law, outstanding judges, lawyers and where you can get your legal business done properly? I think there are only two places that will seek to claim that position. One is Hong Kong and the other is Singapore. These are the two competitors for that. I am not an unbiased party in this, but I believe that we are ahead. Not only that, but I believe that we are putting clear blue water between ourselves and Hong Kong, in that respect, for a variety of reasons. I think in Hong Kong as well, to some extent, public attacks on the judiciary are not uncommon. And the standing and position of Singapore, the fact that it is seen as a neutral place that you can come to, and the fact that we have been able to make significant changes like the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), which is a unique value proposition across the region and for many places in the world. You get world-class judges sitting there hearing cases, and it can be in any law, and it may have no connection to Singapore and Singapore is a forum that they trust.”
“Have legitimate, free discussions on Court cases been stifled? If we were to compromise on this, the effects will not be felt this year, next year or in the next two years. But some years later, we are likely to find ourselves in the same position that the British find themselves today – judges feeling under attack or judges being under attack; distrust generally pervading; and an inability to attract top legal minds to take up positions on the Bench. When the quality of the Judiciary suffers, the rule of law suffers. When the rule of law suffers, the country suffers. The Government regards a strong and trusted Judiciary as the bedrock of the rule of law. That is worth defending vigorously, and we will continue to do so through our laws and policies.”