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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“This is a topic on which we have had several discussions, because as I have said to this House before, MinLaw and MHA constantly look at the death penalty, and the Courts and the AGC are people we consult regularly on this issue. And the current Attorney-General and the current Chief Justice also take similar views. In the context of drugs, the suggestion to give discretion to judges looks attractive at first sight: maintain the death penalty for deterrence, but allow for mercy in individual cases. As I said earlier, this is something that concerns us deeply because, like the Members who have spoken on this, our preference is also to give more discretion to the Courts. We have looked at this carefully and discussed it with the agencies and the Attorney-General. We have also consulted Chief Justices Chan Sek Keong and Sundaresh Menon, to see if this can be done, if it is possible, if it is practicable. Their view is this. If Parliament deems it necessary to make a drug offence punishable with the death penalty, it is preferable that the statute sets out as clearly as possible the circumstances under which the death penalty ought to be imposed. While the Courts will of course exercise any discretion in a principled and consistent manner, their view is that it is best that the legislature define in the clearest possible terms when the ultimate punishment is justified. That is the responsibility of the legislature, which is elected by the people. I think Members can understand why the Judiciary is asking that that should be the framework. So let us take it from there. How would we craft the statute to give more discretion to the courts?”
“I have specifically asked Prof Woon about his comments and he has confirmed the following in writing: (a) he was illustrating a general point about the responsibilities of the prosecution; (b) he has always drawn a distinction between the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in drug cases from that in murder cases; (c) he has stated this previously in public, in interviews and talks; (d) his view is that for murder cases under section 300, it is better that the Courts have the discretion. Page: 1229 For drug cases, Prof Woon's view is that the discretion is better placed with the Public Prosecutor for the following reasons: (a) the assessment would have to be made on intelligence not within the knowledge of the court or often inadmissible in court; (b) the Public Prosecutor will be better placed to take note of broad public policy considerations; (c) it is often the case that an accused is willing to plead guilty, but will not do so if the charge carries the possibility of capital punishment, even if it is discretionary. Prof Woon did express himself in broad terms during the forum, and he did not specifically draw the distinction between drugs and homicide when making those comments. But he has since told me that his precise views are as he has set out to me, and that he has always held these views and continues to hold these views now. He confirms that his views have been expressed previously, in public. And he emphasises that his remarks at the forum were directed at murder, not drugs, though he did not explicitly say so. Prof Woon, when he was the Attorney-General, had expressed similar views to me in the context of the Public Prosecutor's discretion in dealing with drug cases.”
“The question of whether the mandatory death penalty is needed has to be seen in this context. We must ask ourselves: why do drug kingpins avoid Singapore? Why is it difficult to get people to traffic into Singapore? Why is it that traffickers often and deliberately keep below the limits for capital punishment? We are a lucrative target. Remove the mandatory death penalty, and what will be the consequence? Would there be more people willing to be couriers? Remember, we are dealing with drug lords who are very smart people with lots of money, no scruples, and who will mercilessly exploit others. Our stance on the death penalty is widely known – in Singapore, traffickers face the death penalty. That is a powerful message. That creates a difficulty in recruiting couriers. It will not be easy to get people to willingly risk their lives. Not impossible, but not easy. When you remove the mandatory death penalty, you remove that fear. Are we willing to take the risk of many more becoming willing couriers? You have seen the data. We potentially have millions in the region who could be persuaded to traffic drugs to Singapore. Lots of drug addicts, lots of people who need the money. On this point, a couple of Members, I think it is Ms Lim and Mr Singh, have cited the views of the former Attorney-General, Prof Walter Woon, which were made at a forum on death penalty. At that forum, Prof Woon made some remarks about the mandatory death penalty and how it warps prosecutorial discretion, and both Members referred to that. He went on to describe the prosecution as having a heavy burden in determining the appropriate charge when a person is killed.”
“The impact of drugs in Singapore − two thirds of the local prison population are drug offenders. Eighty percent have drug antecedents. This is the same everywhere – drug offenders usually commit other crimes. There is also the impact on families, victims of offenders, on society at large. Tens of thousands every year. The number of youth abusers is increasing, worryingly. We take comprehensive measures against both supply and demand, as explained by the Deputy Prime Minister. We have education, early intervention for young abusers. Strict border controls, tough enforcement. A tough regime for first and second time abusers, where they receive counselling and rehabilitation. After the third time, they are sent to long-term imprisonment. The CLTPA regime deals with syndicate members where witnesses are fearful to testify. Across the board, we have draconian punishments: caning, imprisonment, the death penalty. Page: 1228 The result: we are one of the few countries in the world where the drug menace has been fought reasonably successfully – not won, you can never say that these fights are won – but reasonably successfully, and certainly not lost. The number of drug abusers has gone down since 1994, even discounting the Subutex effect – these are lives saved, families saved, which are all the more remarkable if you consider the global trends of increasing abuse rates. Global trends are going up, ours is downward. Drug kingpins avoid Singapore; there is no substantive production here. Couriers think twice before trying their luck, and they try to keep below the capital threshold – we know this from intelligence. We are not a transhipment hub, despite our connectivity. Drug prices are comparatively high; purity levels comparatively low. This is the context.”
“The answers depend on the level of risk and the cost to society that you are prepared to accept. Page: 1227 What is the context against which we assess those risks? Globally, the number of drug users has increased from 180 million to 210 million in the last 10 years. The number of deaths due to drugs has increased from around 100,000 to over 260,000. The mean age for deaths due to drugs is in the mid-30s. The fight worldwide against drugs is being lost. In Central America, levels of violence are rising, fuelled by transnational organised crime and drug trafficking. The region is now home to the highest homicide rates in the world. In Afghanistan, development is being hindered by the highest rates of opiate prevalence in the world. For West and Central Africa, about half of the cocaine trafficked through the region now remains there, jeopardising hard-won gains in sustainable development and good governance. All this is from the UN Secretary-General. The regional situation is also not pretty. In Malaysia, the number of drug abusers stand at 350,000, and is expected to exceed 500,000 by 2015. In Indonesia, 1.3 million 10- to 19-year-olds have experimented with drugs, and more than 500,000 use drugs on a regular basis. Drug labs are proliferating in the region – Deputy Prime Minister spoke on this. Drug syndicates are sophisticated MNCs – well financed, international networks, very smart people at the helm, making huge profits, access to people who are willing to act as couriers. Singapore is a highly attractive destination. We are a rich country. People can pay for drugs. We are a transport and tourism hub – 500,000 persons pass through or enter Singapore each day; 182 million each year. It is logical to use Singapore as a drug hub.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will deal with some of the issues raised relating to the death penalty, in particular questions on "substantive assistance", and questions on the diminished responsibility test. Members who spoke agreed that the drug problem is a serious one. Mr Laurence Lien is opposed to the death penalty on principle. All the other Members and NMPs agreed that the death penalty is appropriate to deal with the drug problem. So, in this House, we have near unanimous agreement on the death penalty, but some differences in how it should be applied. Ms Sylvia Lim, Mr Pritam Singh, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Asst Prof Eugene Tan have urged for more judicial discretion on application of the death penalty. These suggestions are well-intentioned. My view is this. The starting position is that the courts should have discretion in sentencing – that is eminently correct, and sensible and right. Most of us will agree with that. If you want to make a sentence mandatory, and remove the discretion of the court, there must be good reasons. How, then, should we approach the question of the death penalty for serious drug offences? If we focus only on the trafficker, and ask if mercy should be shown, the answer is obvious – it must be yes. No one can disagree. But that is not the only question, or even the primary question. The correct questions are: what is the nature of the drug menace – what is the nature of the beast? What are the risks we face as a country, and as a society? How do we deal with these risks? What is our approach? What happens if we completely remove the mandatory death penalty and replace it with a death penalty to be imposed at the discretion of the Courts? Are we prepared for the trade-offs and the risks?”
“The Member will appreciate first that this is not under either of my two Ministries. I am answering the question because I was foolish enough to put it on my Facebook, thinking aloud. [Laughter] And so the Ministry has asked me to respond to the Member. I think time limits are going too far. The Member should ask the Minister concerned. Page: 1200”
“Sir, the essence of my answer was that we are considering some form of framework. The precise framework is not settled. There are other countries which have this, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, as the Member mentioned. That is being studied, as I have pointed out in my answer. It is at a very conceptual stage and no decisions have been reached. We have to be satisfied with what is workable before we can do anything.”
“The second approach is to try and develop norms of conduct between neighbours which need to be specific enough to be meaningful, but also take into account the complexities of urban life and that includes close proximity. And then encourage the residents to abide by these norms, and introduce effective and properly calibrated sanctions if the norms are breached. We are assessing whether these ideas are workable and feasible, and we will update the House. I think we have got to be realistic in that legislation and regulation can only do so much. Ultimately, the responsibility for creating a neighbourly and pleasant living environment lies with each individual.”
“Sir, I think Members can agree that neighbour disputes are not infrequent. We live in close proximity, people cherish their quiet time and space, and when that is infringed, disputes arise. How should the law deal with such disputes or should it deal with it at all? If an offence is committed, you can get prosecution, and punishment meted out. If there are wrongful acts, you can get civil action for damages or injunction. The trouble is that the traditional legal framework may not always be the most appropriate or adequate. The legal process itself can be long drawn out. It is adversarial in nature, and it is not often easy to get amicable solutions. The proceedings may themselves also not be the most cost effective to deal with day-to-day disputes between neighbours. Page: 1199 So, if you want to think of an effective framework, it has to go beyond what is traditionally available in the law. I think one important component of our current framework is community mediation where volunteers are trained as mediators. They try and bring parties together to reach common understanding. The process is voluntary. There is a good rate of success − about 70% of the cases are successfully mediated, and a few hundred cases have been mediated every year since 2009. The weakness or the drawback of mediation is that it is voluntary. If one party does not want to come for the mediation, there is not much you can do. So, the question is, how can we improve on this framework as we go forward? It is really at a very conceptual stage, and we are considering, firstly, strengthening the mediation process where we get people to mediate their disputes, and then getting them to abide by the understandings that have been reached.”
“The Attorney-General spoke about plea bargaining at the Opening of the Legal Year 2012. MinLaw has since been in discussions with the Attorney-General's Chambers on whether a system of plea bargaining should be introduced in Singapore and, if so, the modalities. No firm conclusions have been reached. Page: 1160”
“The voting rights of an owner in a collective sale depend on the size of his unit. In other respects, the rights of all owners are the same, whether they are occupiers or investors, and regardless of the length of ownership. We, therefore, do not track the statistics sought by the Member. Page: 1159”
“The collective sale regime facilitates the optimal use of land, through the collective decision of at least 80% of strata title owners. We do not track the specific statistics sought by the Member. The statistics that we track indicate that collective sales have resulted in more intensive use of land. More than 20,000 units, most of which are residential, have been collectively sold since 2000. On average, for each of these units, two to three units were created after redevelopment. Page: 1159”
“As our economic account continues to grow, I am confident that more Australian businesses will consider using Singapore as a base to access the region, as our private sector also looks for opportunities in Australia. In addition, Prime Minister Lee has conveyed to Prime Minister Gillard that we look forward to reviewing the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) to keep pace with changes in the global economy, when Australia is ready. Page: 1139 Given the good collaboration between our educational institutions, there is further opportunity for growth as the White Paper has identified Singapore as one of the Asian countries from whom they can learn, especially in their efforts to become more "Asia-literate". Lastly, the White Paper has suggested the need to ensure "sustainable security" by supporting a bigger role for Asian countries in a rules-based regional and global order. Singapore fully agrees with the sentiment and will continue to work closely with Australia in various regional fora, such as the EAS, ARF and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus, to promote an open and inclusive regional architecture. We will also continue to cooperate in other fora, such as the UN, WTO, IMF, G20, ASEM and APEC. Page: 1139”
“Our people-to-people ties continue to flourish, with more than 50,000 Singaporeans in Australia and more than 20,000 Australians in Singapore. The recently-released White Paper on "Australia in the Asian Century" is a welcome and timely report which reaffirms Australia's commitment to Asia. It outlines Australia's security and economic interests in the context of developments in Asia and lays out a comprehensive vision for Australia to seize the opportunities in the region. While Australia is addressing the question of its geography and history with Asia, on the ground, Australia already has a very active presence in Asia. The paper is, thus, a good attempt to conceptualise where Australia stands in the region. We particularly welcome the fact that the White Paper specifically states Australia's interest to engage "active regional powers", such as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines and Australia's strong desire to strengthen relations with ASEAN and its decision to appoint an Ambassador to ASEAN based in Jakarta. One of the key pillars in the White Paper is the strengthening of Australia's relationships across the region at every level – political, economic, social, cultural and people-to-people links. There is already visible progress in these areas: On the political front, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Gillard have agreed to meet regularly; our Defence Ministers have also agreed to hold annual meetings. This is in addition to the various dialogue mechanisms that are already in place at the government-to-government level. The White Paper has also called on Australian companies to develop collaborative relationships with Asian markets.”
“Let me first start with a broad overview of our bilateral ties and economic cooperation with Australia. Singapore enjoys a longstanding and close bilateral relationship with Australia. This is underpinned by substantive cooperation across many fronts, particularly defence, economic and people-to-people ties. We share many similar interests and a convergent strategic outlook. We have had a good exchange of high-level visits this year, including those by Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Prime Minister Julia Gillard in March and April respectively, and Prime Minister Lee's visit to Australia last month. In September, Ministers Lim Hng Kiang and Ng Eng Hen and I had a useful exchange of views with our counterparts in Canberra under the 7th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC). In addition, the Australia-Singapore Public Service Roundtable has now been institutionalised after the 2nd Roundtable was held in Canberra just a week prior to the SAJMC. There are still many areas in which we can cooperate and both sides are committed to exploring them to deepen our already strong relationship. Page: 1138 Australia is a key economic partner for Singapore and bilateral economic ties are growing. Australia was Singapore's 12th largest trading partner in 2011. Singapore is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN and its 5th largest trading partner. Two-way investment is growing. Singapore was the 4th largest foreign investor in Australia in 2011, while there are now 2,100 Australian companies in Singapore. Singapore receives close to a million visitors from Australia each year while more than 300,000 Singaporeans travel to Australia annually.”
“In doing this, the Chief Justice followed in the footsteps of his two illustrious predecessors as Chief Justice. He, like them, was born and bred in Malaysia, but crossed the Causeway to become a proud son and pillar of his adoptive country. In that sense, Chief Justice Menon is our first non-Malaysian Chief Justice. Sir, the Chief Justice rose from humble beginnings to serve in all the high offices of the law – Judge, Attorney-General and Chief Justice. His tenure has strengthened the Rule of Law in Singapore, and he has cemented his place as one of Singapore's greatest jurists, if not the greatest. He retires with the great respect and warm affection of all who have worked with him and have appeared before him. On behalf of the Government, it is my distinct privilege to thank him for his service to Singapore, in the course of a long and illustrious life in the law, spanning almost 50 years. [Applause.] Page: 1069”
“As a judge, the Chief Justice believed that "judgments should be expressed in a language that a reasonably educated layman can understand" and, indeed, his judgments stand out for their clarity and simple elegance. He believed in procedural fairness, that, and I quote, "litigants must come away from the court with the feeling that even though they lost, they have had their day in court and have been heard." He believed that the function of judges was to interpret and apply the law, and not to legislate or make policy in the guise of adjudication. In that sense, he was a legal positivist. At the same time, he also believed that judges had a role in developing the law interstitially, consonant with national values and fundamental principles of the common law. To promote the practice development of Singapore law, he issued a Practice Direction that Singapore cases should be cited in preference to foreign cases. In the course of his judicial career, he wrote almost 380 judgments, or more than 30 a year. His judgments, which span many areas of the law, will continue to influence our jurisprudence for many years to come. Page: 1069 He believed in justice for the common man. In one case, he ordered the Law Society to investigate a lawyer who had engaged in what he considered to be wasteful litigation over a minor insurance claim. Above all, the Chief Justice was a firm believer in the rule of law and the duty of the court to uphold the law. In a lecture in 2010, the Chief Justice offered a rebuke to those who doubted the independence of the Judiciary. Sir, when the boy from Ipoh came to Singapore to study, settle down, start a career in the law, it was Singapore which ultimately benefited.”
“I should mention that Chief Justice's personal interests – outside of the law, he is a keen student of history – helped substantially in presenting Singapore's case. His collection of South East Asian history books, one of the largest in Singapore, was extensively used for the ICJ hearing. Page: 1068 Mr Chan was appointed as Chief Justice in 2006. The appointment was received with great enthusiasm by the legal community. Chan Sek Keong the Chief Justice was very much like Chan Sek Keong the man – humble, unassuming, with a powerful intellect and with a keen sense of integrity. Outside of the courtroom, he demanded that lawyers meet the highest standards of professional conduct, and took decisive measures to safeguard clients' monies from errant lawyers. He constantly encouraged the legal fraternity, from Senior Counsel to law student, to do more pro bono work, to improve access to justice for the less fortunate amongst us. He emphasised the need for competent advocacy in all areas of litigation. He started the Young Amicus Curiae scheme where young lawyers could assist Judges hearing Magistrate's Appeals, and expose themselves to criminal work. He stressed the need for top tier advocacy in commercial cases. He observed that top Senior Counsels were often retained by large institutions, rendering them unable or unavailable to act against such institutions. The result was that small law firms and individuals who want representation against large institutions could not instruct Senior Counsel. He thus advocated that Queen's Counsel be allowed to appear more freely in our courts, so that small law firms and individual clients could instruct them. He made this point twice, in two separate Opening of the Legal Year speeches.”
“His successors have built on this strong foundation, and today the AGC has a full-fledged team of first-rate lawyers, numbering about 250, with the breadth and depth of expertise, to discharge its prosecutorial functions and to advise and assist the Government on all legal matters. The Chief Justice also contributed significantly to the reform of the law. One of his achievements was in relation to the reception of English Law in Singapore, a topic on which he had written as a young lawyer, in 1961. In 1993, he persuaded the Government to amend section 5 of the Civil Law Act and enact the Application of English Law Act. The amendments ceased the automatic reception of English Law which had begun in 1826 with the Second Charter of Justice, while preserving key English enactments on commercial law. As the first Law Officer, the Chief Justice personally argued five cases in court, four of which were reported. In two of these cases, I was privileged to appear opposite him. All his legal qualities were fully apparent, including his fairness to his opponents in court. In addition, as his speeches showed, Chief Justice Chan thought about a broad range of issues concerning the law, including the state of the Bar and legal practice in Singapore; the social, economic and international conditions in which the legal framework operated; and the higher values of the law and the legal profession. As Attorney-General, and later as Chief Justice, Chief Justice Chan played a leading role in the Pedra Branca litigation. He presented our case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a very clear manner, together with Professor Jayakumar, Professor Tommy Koh and others. The ICJ decisively upheld Singapore's sovereignty over Pedra Branca.”
“Thereafter, I appeared before the Chief Justice in several other cases and, like many members of the Bar, I considered it a pleasure and privilege to appear before him. He had an excellent judicial temperament – no flourish, no hyperbole, no drama. He always cut to the chase, was always succinct. He was usually well ahead of counsel and on top of all the issues – a first-rate, world-class judicial mind. As Chief Justice Menon said last week, Chief Justice Chan was almost always the perfect judge to hear a case – any case. Page: 1067 In 1992, Chief Justice Chan was appointed the third Attorney-General of Singapore. As Public Prosecutor, he had the constitutional responsibility for instituting and conducting prosecutions. He acted firmly and in the public interest. At the same time, he was also fair to the accused. An example was the case of Louis Pius Gilbert (2003), where the Chief Justice took the view that the High Court had exceeded its sentencing jurisdiction. He authorised a criminal reference to the Court of Appeal to have the law clarified and the sentence imposed on the accused to be reduced. As Attorney-General, he defined the mission of his Chambers as being to "enhance the rule of law and constitutional government in Singapore by providing sound legal advice and assistance in developing a fair and responsible legal system, furthering good public administration, and protecting the interests of the state and of the people." He enhanced the capabilities of the Attorney-General's Chambers by strengthening the Civil and Criminal Divisions, and setting up the International Affairs Division and the Law Reform and Law Revision Divisions.”
“The agreements he drafted restored liquidity to the system, ensured the survival of the Stock Exchange and preserved Singapore's standing as a financial centre. This can be said to be the Chief Justice's finest moment as a corporate and banking lawyer in Singapore. Chief Justice Chan was appointed a Judicial Commissioner in 1986 – the first person to be so appointed. He was later elevated to be a Judge in 1988. During his first judicial tenure from 1986 to 1992, the Chief Justice demonstrated the independence of mind and the keenness of analysis that lawyers today are familiar with. In this period, he heard a fair number of public law cases and, in his own words, "The decisions are fairly divided between those decided for and against the Government." It was during this period that I started my own career in the law. With Members' indulgence, I will recount a personal anecdote. In 1987, I appeared as a junior, with Mr Joseph Grimberg in a case before the Chief Justice. The precedents were not clear. While Mr Grimberg was making his arguments, the Chief Justice somehow noticed – I do not know how, perhaps it showed in my face – that I was keen for a point to be made. He asked Mr Grimberg to ask me what the point was. I was quite struck that the Chief Justice noticed everything in his court – he was so alert that he even picked up on the thought processes of a junior lawyer, and pursued the point. In the end, the Chief Justice, despite being new on the Bench, was prepared to apply his own assessment of the precedents, rather than simply follow them, because on the facts it was just to do so. His handling of the case, both in the way he conducted the hearing as well as his legal analysis, left a deep impression on me.”
“He was the counsel of choice for many banks and financial institutions, and drafted many of the standard banking and corporate documents which were used throughout Singapore in the late 1970s and in the 1980s. The advice he gave to clients was not only sound, but also simply and succinctly put forward. The lawyers in this House will know that it is more difficult to give succinct advice, because you cannot hide behind verbiage. And the Chief Justice never did so. I once had to advise on a guarantee which was drafted by the Chief Justice. It comprised two paragraphs, in a telex. The party which challenged the validity of the guarantee – perhaps because it looked too short to be a guarantee! – later backed down. Though brief, the document was clear and accurate. That was the hallmark of the Chief Justice: in the way he gave his advice, in the way he drafted documents and in the way he wrote his judgments. Page: 1066 The Chief Justice's skill and expertise as a lawyer was highlighted on a broader canvas during the Pan-Electric collapse of 1985. At the height of the crisis, stockbrokers were unable to settle forward contracts involving Pan-Electric shares. This led to a domino effect and the stockbroking system suffered a liquidity crunch. The Stock Exchange had to be closed for the first and only time in December 1985. During the closure, the Chief Justice was called upon to draft what are now called lifeboat agreements, to extend credit from banks to the insolvent stockbroking firms. There were no clear precedents, and time was of the essence. Chief Justice rose to the occasion. He did the job quickly and he did it well.”
“Happily for Singapore, he was persuaded to do law by his English literature teacher, Dr Etherton, who said that he had a "very crafty mind" – in a good sense. And the rest, as they say, is history – Dr Etherton's intervention proved fateful for Singapore and our legal profession. Chief Justice Chan joined the inaugural LLB class of '61 in the then University of Malaya, and was one of the top students in a class that produced several other students who went on to hold high positions in the law. The Chief Justice is probably unique in having to litigate for his own admission to the Bar. He graduated and started serving pupillage before a University of Malaya degree was recognised, and applied for an abridgement of time on this ground. The Chairman of Bar Council resisted the application, arguing that the legislation required "grounds", that is, more than one ground. That technical argument was dismissed by the court, whose judgment is still in the law reports: Re Chan Sek Keong [1962] Malayan Law Journal 88. As the new Chief Justice said last week, Chief Justice Chan was entirely correct in the law, a pattern that was to repeat itself over and over again in the next 50 years. The Chief Justice practised briefly in Kuala Lumpur before joining Braddell Brothers in Singapore in 1963. He did that because he wanted to continue to be with his then girlfriend, Elisabeth Eber, whom he later married. Later, the Chief Justice joined Shook Lin & Bok, where he rose to become the managing partner and one of Singapore's leading banking and corporate lawyers, with a complete mastery of the law and a keen understanding of commercial and practical realities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will know that Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong retired on 6 November, after a long and brilliant career in the law. The Prime Minister wrote a valedictory letter to the Chief Justice on 2 November, and there were many other tributes from the Bench, the Bar, and the Academia. It is my honour today to pay tribute in this House to Chief Justice Chan, one of our greatest jurists and legal minds. Our constitutional framework enshrines the rule of law, the independence of the courts, and the separation of powers. The Constitution establishes the Judiciary as a separate and independent institution, and charges it with the responsibility to interpret the law, and apply the law to cases which come before the courts. In the discharge of its functions, the Judiciary acts independently and impartially. Every person, including the Government, is equal before the law. Page: 1065 At the head of the Judiciary is the Chief Justice. Through his judgments and extra-judicial writings, his presidency over appellate hearings, and even his personal conduct, the Chief Justice sets the tone for the administration of justice in Singapore. It is a heavy responsibility, and Singapore has been singularly fortunate that, for the past six years, that responsibility has been discharged by Chief Justice Chan. Sir, the Chief Justice came from a humble background. He lived in a communal house in Ipoh, started his education late because of the war, and could not speak English when he first went to school. But adversity did not slow him down. He was one of the top students in the Senior Cambridge School Certificate in 1955, with eight distinctions. He could not decide what to read at university. He was not thinking of doing law – he had no idea what a legal career would be like.”
“Third, we will also require claimants to submit supporting documents, for example, receipts of hospital or funeral expenses. If necessary, we will ask for further documents. Fourth, claimants to bona vacantia property must submit statutory declaration or affidavit which has already been filed in court. The declaration or affidavit must state the basis of the claim, amongst other things. And, of course, making a false statutory declaration or filing a false affidavit are serious offences. These are safeguards which will minimise the likelihood of false claims being made. I thank the Members for their support of the Bill. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr K Shanmugam]. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)] Page: 978”
“Sir, I thank both Members for supporting the Bill. Let me first address Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef's concerns. I think there are three. The first concern is whether a court order is needed before the Minister can exercise his powers and how much would that cost. A court order is not needed for this purpose. It is for the Minister to assess whether a person has a moral or equitable claim to property which has devolved to the Government. That has always been the position, and that continues to be the position. This Bill is simply amended to make clear what properties are covered. Second, whether the Minister can distribute accrued interests. Yes, the powers extend to distributing accrued interests. And, third, how will the property be disposed of. I should clarify that the Minister's principal role is to decide who has the moral or equitable claim to the relevant property. Administration of the estate is usually done by the claimant or other private parties. It is for the administrator to decide matters such as whether, when and how to sell the estate property, the manner in which the property is distributed and, of course, he has to discharge his duties in accordance with the law. Page: 978 Let me now address Mr Dhinakaran's concerns. I think his essential concern is with false claimants. My Ministry has safeguards in relation to the claims process. First, we will check that the property has, in fact, devolved to the Government based on documents provided by the claimant. Second, it is a practice to wait for six months to pass, after the death of the deceased, before processing any claim. This is to allow time for entitled next-of-kin to step forward.”
“Clause 3 of the Bill amends section 4 of the Public Trustee Act. The amendment will allow the Minister to assign functions and duties of the Public Trustee in relation to property which has devolved to the Government, which may now include the administration of estates with such property. This will build on the Public Trustee's existing role and experience in administering small estates. Sir, the Bill is part of my Ministry's continuing efforts to reform technical areas of the law. I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] 3.02 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Page: 975 Sir, this Bill clarifies the Minister's powers in relation to property which devolves to the Government on the death of a person if he does so without a will and without next of kin. It also provides for the administration of such property. Under the Intestate Succession Act, the assets in a deceased's estate devolves to the Government if he dies without a valid will, and without any next-of-kin entitled under the Intestate Succession Act. Under section 27 of the Civil Law Act, the Minister may transfer such property to any person(s) who has "an equitable or moral claim thereto", for example, a person who has taken care of, or provided for, the deceased. Clause 2 amends section 27 of the Civil Law Act. It clarifies that the Minister's power to distribute property which has devolved to the Government extends to both real and personal property within the deceased's estate. The Minister's power is also expanded to include the property of a deceased which, while not part of a deceased's estate, has devolved to the Government under any written law which is gazetted by the Minister. One example is CPF monies where no nomination has been made. Such property is now excluded by law from the deceased's estate to protect them from creditors. This is for the benefit of entitled next-of-kin. But when there is no entitled next-of-kin, it is only fair that such property can go to someone with an equitable or moral claim. The amendments will not affect the disposal of property according to Muslim law. That will continue to be dealt with under the Administration of Muslim Law Act. Clause 2 also clarifies that the procedure by which the Minister may exercise his powers.”
“In 2009 and 2010, there were no licensed moneylenders convicted in court, and thus there were no fines imposed on licensed moneylenders during the period. In 2011, three licensed moneylenders were convicted for 38 counts of moneylending offences, and were fined an average of $6,605 per count. From January to September 2012, four licensed moneylenders were convicted for 12 counts of moneylending offences, and were fined an average of $6,500 per count. Page: 925”
“There were 249 licensed moneylenders as at 31 December 2011, and 226 licensed moneylenders as at 30 September 2012. Page: 925”
“Under the Small Claims Tribunals Act, it is the Registrar's duty to serve the claimant's claim on the respondent, together with a notice for consultation or a notice for hearing, as the case may be. The documents will be served at the last known address of the respondent as provided by the claimant. A record is kept in the case file when service is effected. The claimant is not responsible for effecting service. If a respondent fails to appear for a consultation or a hearing, the Registrar or the Tribunal can make an order against him. This will only be done if the Registrar or the Tribunal is satisfied that the claim and the relevant notice have been served on the respondent. The claimant is not required to submit proof of service because he is not the person who effects service. If an order is made against the respondent, he can apply to the Tribunal to set it aside, within a month of the date of the order, or such further period as the Tribunal may allow.”
“We will continue to advocate free and open trade by expanding our network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). We will review our existing FTAs, especially those with key Asian economies, to ensure their relevance and accessibility to SMEs. We will also strengthen trade linkages to enable more companies to explore and seize opportunities in emerging markets such as South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Central Asia. We will reinforce Singapore's position as the gateway to Asia and the best location for headquarters of global companies. Sitting at the crossroads of Asia, we have good connectivity, sound infrastructure, an Asia-ready talent pool, and an open and business-friendly environment. Singapore will be the preferred location for companies to deepen their understanding of the Asian consumer, and test-bed new products and services for the region. At the same time, we will make Singapore an attractive base for emerging Asian companies seeking to expand internationally. Together, this confluence of business activities will add to Singapore's economic vibrancy and provide opportunities for all. Page: 46 Ministry of Transport (Addendum to the President's Address)”
“We will work with industries to leverage on innovation, technology and training as the basis for competitiveness and growth. The Economic Development Board (EDB) will grow emerging clusters such as clean technology, media, urban solutions and biotechnology, and seed new growth areas. We will continue to transform Singapore into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy where companies are at the cutting edge in their products, design, processes and services. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will continue to build on Singapore's significant base of R&D capabilities, which companies can tap to enhance innovation and technology development. Through the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2015 plan, we will create a more conducive R&D environment, promote world-class scientific research and nurture talent to support our industries. We will work to sustain our growth by putting in place the necessary infrastructure and improving on our enterprise-friendly business environment. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) will continue to promote healthy and competitive markets for businesses. Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) will spearhead innovative industrial infrastructure solutions to overcome our land constraints and support economic diversification. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) will continue to enhance Singapore's energy security and competitiveness. To help our companies access global markets, we will continue to extend our international networks. We will work within the World Trade Organization and regional platforms such as ASEAN and APEC to allow local companies to enjoy lower trade barriers, better connectivity with global supply chains and an enhanced environment for doing business.”
“We will continue to re-position our economy to tap on new growth opportunities, strengthen it to weather greater volatility and build up capacity in our businesses to capture new market demands. Our people will need to upskill and our labour market needs to be flexible. We will foster economic growth that is inclusive, by creating desirable quality jobs so that Singaporeans can enjoy higher salaries and living standards. We will invest more in our workers and equip them to take on higher skilled jobs through training and upgrading. Our companies will also need to build capabilities to compete effectively in the new operating environment. SPRING Singapore (SPRING) will help SMEs raise their productivity and competitiveness. International Enterprise (IE) Singapore will continue to help our companies broaden their access to trade and investment opportunities in existing and new markets abroad. Together, SPRING and IE will help our companies grow into globally competitive companies. We will step up our efforts to restructure our economy towards higher value-added and more productive sectors. We will continue to move up the value chain within existing major manufacturing clusters such as electronics, biomedical sciences and chemicals. In the services sector, we will expand the range of offerings in our key exportable sectors such as logistics and professional services. Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will help our tourism enterprises raise the standard of their offerings, allowing them to offer value-added experiences and attract better yield. Page: 45 We will continue to diversify our industrial portfolio to enhance the resilience of our economy.”
“We will consult more closely with the public on our policies, by developing more channels of communication. We will also continue to encourage good work by the community through our annual campaigns, cultivating strong environmental advocates and working closely with 3P (People, Private, Public) stakeholders to nurture environmentally-consciousness in our citizens. Page: 44 Through our shared efforts, we hope to build a city where resources are managed with care and people, businesses and the environment can thrive. Together, we can build a lasting and liveable future for our children. Page: 44 Ministry of Trade and Industry (Addendum to the President's Address) The Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): MTI will promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, to create good quality jobs and support higher standards of living for Singaporeans. Singapore will be a city of opportunities, where people and enterprises can grow and succeed. Our sound economic fundamentals enabled us to successfully weather the global financial crisis in 2008. However, the external business and financial environment has taken a turn and become more complex and uncertain. Economic recovery remains fragile in key developed economies such as the EU and the US. This will weigh down global economic recovery. Some support will come from Asia, where opportunities for growth remain strong. Propelled by rising domestic demand, Asia is set to be a major growth driver for the global economy over the next few decades. Singapore is well positioned to ride on this growth. We sit at the heart of this dynamic region. Our strong economic fundamentals, wide network of trade agreements and reputation of being a trusted hub are strengths we will leverage on.”
“Clean and liveable spaces have become part of life in Singapore and we must not take this for granted. We can and should elevate our standards of public cleanliness and hygiene. We will be strengthening the cleansing regime and improving our standards of service and accountability to the public. However, public cleanliness will need to be sustained by the combined efforts of both Government and the community. We will partner Singaporeans by supporting community action and nurturing social graces. We will review our noise standards and guidelines to protect public health and minimise nuisance respectively and will work with agencies to meet these levels in their respective sectors. To stem the incidence of vector breeding, NEA's ground officers will complement their ongoing source reduction efforts with greater community engagement. In the case of dengue, where the most common site of infection is inside homes, we aim to raise awareness within the community of simple steps to reduce the likelihood of breeding sites and break the further transmission of dengue virus if infected. In recent years, we have tightened our food hygiene regulatory and inspection framework for food operators. We will uphold the robustness of these efforts to ensure stringent levels of food hygiene are maintained. We are also exploring an extension of the smoking ban to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke on non-smokers. Sustaining a quality living environment relies on more than tighter standards and infrastructure improvements – ultimately it is people who make a city sustainable. We will explore how we can develop a more robust framework for environmental reporting by businesses and make environmental information more open to the public.”
“With the help of a panel of local and overseas experts, the Ministry is conducting an in-depth review of all flood protection measures that will be implemented in Singapore over the next decade. In the meantime, we are continuing to enhance the drainage system and working with the public to ensure adequate flood protection for their properties. We will continue to expand the Active, Beautiful and Clean or ABC Waters Programme to open up more opportunities for the public to take ownership of their environment and enjoy the beauty of clean waterways. Hawker centres play important roles of providing affordable food and common social spaces for all Singaporeans to interact. Over the next few years, new hawker centres will be built to cater to higher demand from the growing population in our housing estates. We will improve cleanliness and hygiene standards across hawker centres and review our management approach to ensure the continued provision of good affordable food. Page: 43 Working with the National Climate Change Secretariat, the Ministry and its partner agencies are committed to enhancing Singapore's resilience against the potential impacts of climate change. Based on preliminary studies, we will need to raise minimum levels for land reclamation by at least 1 m to create an adequate buffer against a potential rise in sea level. However, achieving resilience is not a once-off effort. Climate science is dynamic and climate conditions in our region are challenging to forecast. To improve our understanding of future localised climatic conditions, we will develop capabilities in climate science and modelling within the Government. We will also form networks with relevant experts and institutions at the forefront of climate research.”
“Page: 42 Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources (Addendum to the President's Address) The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): Our careful environmental stewardship over the years has enabled us to build a high quality environment in Singapore for people to live, work and play in. It has been a source of competitive advantage. Looking ahead, to improve our resilience and responsiveness to a changing landscape, we will enhance resource efficiency, improve infrastructure, strengthen capabilities, elevate standards and empower the community. It is a strategic imperative that we use energy, water and materials more efficiently to both reduce pollution and bolster Singapore's economic resilience. Energy efficiency is one of our key strategies to achieve environmental sustainability, energy security and economic competitiveness. For the industry sector, the Ministry will implement the Energy Conservation Act in 2013. Large energy users will be required to formulate energy efficiency improvement plans, appoint energy managers and to submit energy consumption data. We must also extract greater value from waste as a resource. We will encourage businesses and households to optimise resource management by promoting new recycling initiatives and incentivising businesses to minimise waste. We are also undertaking a comprehensive review of our public waste collection system to encourage recycling and waste reduction, while continuing to ensure good service standards and affordability of disposal fees. We will continue to invest in infrastructure to ensure a safe and vibrant living environment. We take a serious view of flooding and will make all necessary efforts to alleviate future incidents.”
“As we undertake more complex construction and infrastructure projects in a denser Singapore, we will need to raise the capabilities and productivity of our construction industry. This is also to reduce our reliance on foreign workers. We will step up efforts in greening our buildings to make them more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly. As we push on with new developments, we will collaborate with the community to preserve our key physical and social markers. These will anchor our treasured memories, and make Singapore an endearing home. Even as we intensify land use, we commit to keeping Singapore a Garden City. In fact, we are raising our ambition as we strive to transform our Garden City into a City in a Garden. This is not a mere play of words. Besides the Singapore Botanic Gardens, we will soon have another world-class green icon in the Gardens by the Bay. We will create an extensive network of regional and neighbourhood parks, streetscape and skyrise greenery. We will embed greenery into our city and HDB towns. Our park connectors will link up parks and green spaces within neighbourhoods. We will introduce more native plant species and add biodiversity such as butterflies and hornbills to our urban habitats. Daily close encounters with nature will be Singaporeans' way of life. Page: 42 We will realise this vision together. The Rail Corridor is one example where Singaporeans are coming together to co-create a green spine along the former KTM rail tracks. Such an approach of public involvement will be the MND way. Together, let us build a world-class city and a better home that Singaporeans are proud and passionate about. A place where our shared memories are celebrated and new spectacular memories are created.”
“Residents can take greater ownership of their living environment, for example in spearheading community gardening, taking care of community facilities such as the Punggol Waterway, promoting neighbourliness and practising responsible pet ownership. We are reviewing the Town Council Management Report so that it can better encourage and reflect how residents are participating in the daily affairs of their Town Council. We cannot be certain what the future will bring. For example, food security and global warming may impact us in dramatic ways. But we can maximise the opportunities for our future generations by preparing well ahead. Through Concept Plan 2011 and the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, we will adopt integrated and comprehensive land use and urban solutions to safeguard our quality of life. To secure our food supply, we will further diversify our overseas food sources and raise local production, where feasible. We will balance competing land demands to achieve sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes. We will create underground space and reclaim from the sea, wherever viable. We will also build infrastructure ahead of demand and start to prepare for new towns at Tengah and Bidadari. They will not be needed soon, but we are planning ahead so as to retain flexibility. Our population will continue to grow and age. We will need new infrastructure to make Singapore a City for All Ages, friendly to both the old and the young. We will bring jobs closer to homes as new growth areas such as Jurong Lake District, Paya Lebar and Kallang take off. Housing will be gradually intensified, especially around MRT stations and in mature towns such as Queenstown and Bishan, to take full advantage of their excellent amenities.”
“Where possible, some of the new flats will be built in mature estates to widen choices and meet aspirations. Some vulnerable families are unable to afford their own homes and will need subsidised rental housing. We are building more flats to meet such demand. However, building more rental housing is not the long-term solution as many of these families have deeper social problems. We will collaborate with social agencies to render holistic help. For higher income Singaporeans, there is a thriving private property market to meet their aspirations. We are releasing more land for private housing and will calibrate our measures to ensure that prices move sustainably with the economy. We will amend the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act to enhance transparency and accuracy of information on housing projects for buyers to make informed decisions. We have licensed estate agents and the Council for Estate Agencies will regulate and raise their professional standards. In the next phase of public housing, HDB will strive for even better-designed and sustainable towns that have ample public spaces and community facilities so that residents can enjoy cleaner, greener and better living. HDB will tap on private sector expertise and public feedback to develop such sustainable towns. For the mature estates, we will upgrade and rejuvenate them. As we complete the Lift Upgrading Programme, we are accelerating the Home Improvement Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. We will also identify suitable sites for more intensified redevelopment so as to inject more housing in mature towns. Page: 41 Beyond physical development, we will build stronger communities in HDB towns.”
“We will ensure that our system of enforcement and penalties provides sufficient deterrence to any attempt to circumvent our foreign manpower policies. We will be amending the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) to strengthen enforcement, and hold employers and other stakeholders more accountable for the basic employment standards and well-being of foreign workers. Page: 40 We are also conducting a holistic review of our foreign domestic worker (FDW) policies to improve the entry and recruitment of FDWs, and the experience of both employers and FDWs. We will also press on with our efforts to raise overall safety and health standards and reduce workplace fatality rate to less than 1.8 per 100,000 workers by 2018. Page: 40 Ministry of National Development (Addendum to the President's Address) The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Our goal is to create an outstanding living environment, a City in a Garden, and a vibrant, thriving home for all Singaporeans. We commit to house all Singaporeans and to help them own their homes. Our home ownership programme is world renowned: 90% of Singaporeans own their homes, the vast majority in public housing. Unlike public housing elsewhere, our new HDB towns are comparable to, and often surpass, private housing in quality and amenities. However, a sudden rise in housing prices following a sharp economic recovery amidst global liquidity has worried many Singaporeans. We are taking active measures to address the temporary imbalance in supply and demand, even as we keep a close watch on global uncertainties. We are building more HDB flats and speeding up their completion. We have adjusted the income ceilings, so that higher income couples and singles can also qualify for public housing.”
“We will take further measures to help them upgrade, secure good jobs and achieve higher incomes. We will review our Workfare schemes, which are central to helping lower income, older Singaporeans stay at work and enjoy better wages. We will also encourage companies to adopt responsible outsourcing practices, so as to ensure that the basic employment rights of low-wage workers are protected. Singaporeans are enjoying better health. Most desire to stay active and work longer if they can. With longer life expectancy too, the prospect of outliving one's savings is a worry. We are addressing both these challenges. To help older workers better prepare for their retirement years, the Retirement and Re-employment Act will come into force in January 2012. We will also assist companies to recruit, retain and re-employ older workers, with outreach and incentives to redesign jobs and work arrangements to suit the needs and preferences of an older workforce. Together with our tripartite partners, we will review CPF contribution rates of older workers. CPF LIFE, which is mandatory for cohorts turning 55 in and after 2013, will provide members with an income for life. We will continue to improve the product features in CPF LIFE to ensure that it meets Singaporeans' retirement needs. Tripartism is a key competitive advantage for Singapore, providing the basis for long-term investments, growth and job creation. We will renew and strengthen trust and co-operation amongst the tripartite partners and work together to effectively address the manpower challenges described above. We will also work with our tripartite partners to develop guidelines that promote fair merit-based opportunities for Singaporeans, both in hiring practices and career development.”
“With the concerted efforts of our tripartite partners, we are striving to achieve 2%-3% per annum growth in productivity over the decade. This is essential if we are to increase real incomes for Singaporeans broadly, including those with low incomes. The National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC) will coordinate and provide strong support for this national productivity effort. The $2 billion National Productivity Fund is helping industries implement specific roadmaps to improve productivity through market and business development, automation, better use of IT, job and process re-design and training. Page: 39 We must promote a passion for lifelong learning. We will strengthen our Continuing Education and Training (CET) system to ensure the skills of our workers remain current and lay the foundation for further career progression. When completed in 2013, the two national CET campuses will provide opportunities for training and upgrading in all types of jobs, and comprehensive career services. We will also progressively raise the quality and standards of CET courses and trainers. We will extend the coverage of our CET system to address the learning needs of all segments of our workforce, including those of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs), who comprise slightly over half our resident workforce and will increase further in importance. Through the Skills Training for Excellence Programme (STEP), we will equip PMETs with both specialised and broad-based horizontal skills so as to enhance their career prospects and competitiveness. Helping our more vulnerable workers contribute to and share in Singapore's progress will remain a key priority.”
“Our IP legislation, including the enforcement regime, will be kept up to date with global developments, and be conducive to businesses and research and development investments, even as it continues to ensure the robust protection of IP in Singapore. Page: 38 Ministry of Manpower (Addendum to the President's Address) The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Manpower (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam): Our manpower policies aim to help Singaporeans secure good jobs, raise their skills and expertise, and enjoy sustained increases in their incomes in the coming decade. We are putting full effort into helping vulnerable workers improve their livelihoods. We will also ensure fair employment practices and safety at the workplace, and harmonious industrial relations. We are shifting to quality, rather than increases in the workforce, as the basis of growth. Our resident workforce will grow more slowly, and the proportion of younger workers too will decline. We therefore have to focus our efforts on improving quality, in every job and for every age, as the basis for Singapore's economic dynamism and for sustained increases in Singaporeans' incomes. We must tread a balanced path in our manpower policies. Our economy must remain welcoming to both businesses and talent from abroad, so as to create and sustain good jobs and meet the rising aspirations and capabilities of our people. We will at the same time seek to keep the overall share of foreigners in the workforce at no higher than one-third over the long term, and help businesses to adjust to the reality of a tight labour market. We will also work with our tripartite partners to ensure that Singaporeans have ample opportunities to develop their careers, and remain at the core of a diverse, globally competitive workforce.”
“In the regulation of moneylenders and pawnbrokers, we have instituted more rigorous requirements for prospective entrants to the two industries and stepped up enforcement activities against errant licensees, to continue raising the standards of professionalism in the industries. We will review our legislative framework and policies to ensure continued optimal use of Singapore's scarce land resources. In particular, we will optimise the use of State land and buildings to support the economic and social development of Singapore. We will rejuvenate State properties and open up suitable State land for use by businesses and the community. We have implemented the central infrastructure for the Singapore Geospatial Collaborative Environment (SG-SPACE), and will continue to drive the development of SG-SPACE to enable the public, private and people sectors to share geospatial information and co-create innovative applications, thus encouraging the development of the local geospatial industry. Page: 38 With IP becoming an increasingly valuable business asset in the global knowledge economy, MinLaw will develop Singapore as an IP services hub for the region, by reviewing our policies and programmes and attracting global IP service providers to Singapore. We will forge stronger partnerships with international IP bodies that will facilitate the global filing and protection of IP through Singapore. At the same time, we will groom a deeper pool of IP professionals with the requisite competencies, and work closely with the industry to support their efforts in creating, protecting and managing IP.”
“We will review the legal aid framework regularly to ensure that it is relevant and effective, including the funding that we are channelling to organisations providing civil and criminal legal aid to the public. We will also work closely with the Law Society and other partners to encourage pro-bono activities and grow the pool of volunteers from the legal profession. To cultivate a more harmonious, civil and gracious society, we will continue to promote mediation as the first and preferred recourse for resolving social and community disputes. We will increase public awareness of community mediation. We will equip our community leaders with mediation skills and encourage youths to embrace mediation as a means to resolve disputes. We will improve the training framework to sharpen the skills of our volunteer mediators. In the administration of bankrupts and debtors under the Debt Repayment Scheme, we have introduced various initiatives, such as financial counselling, job referral services and skills upgrading programmes. These initiatives will help bankrupts and debtors better meet their repayment obligations and expedite their discharge. We will, in consultation with the industry, comprehensively review the corporate insolvency regime to incorporate relevant and useful developments in corporate insolvency law and widen the options available to businesses facing financial difficulty. These changes will be brought about with the introduction of a single piece of insolvency legislation governing both individuals and companies.”
“We will introduce and develop initiatives and measures to deepen and broaden the range and quality of legal services in Singapore. Following the successful introduction of the Qualifying Foreign Law Practice Scheme in 2009, we will continue with the measured liberalisation of the legal services sector, including the issuing of further licences. We will continue to promote Singapore as a venue of choice for international dispute resolution, particularly for Asia with its tremendous growth potential. We have brought in world-class arbitration institutions to operate in Maxwell Chambers, a dedicated, highly-regarded facility for alternate dispute resolution. We will work with these institutions and law firms – both local and foreign – to further enhance Singapore's attractiveness as an international arbitration venue. We will continue to ensure that the arbitration infrastructure in Singapore, in particular the legislation and facilities, remains world-class, is continually improved and keeps ahead of international developments. Page: 37 As the demand for legal services in Singapore continues to grow, we will put in place measures to ensure that the supply of legal talent meets the demands of our economy. Professional standards will be raised, through initiatives such as mandatory continuing professional development, to be implemented by the newly established Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) in cooperation with the legal fraternity. We will also continue to promote Singapore as a regional hub for legal education, in collaboration with our local universities, the SILE and key economic agencies. MinLaw will ensure that legal aid remains accessible to the needy.”
“MinLaw will continue to strengthen Singapore's legal infrastructure and the vibrancy of its legal services sector, optimise the use of State land, and develop an Intellectual Property (IP) infrastructure that will ensure robust protection for IP and grow Singapore's IP services sector. We are committed to ensuring that Singapore's legal system remains world-class and provides our citizens fair and efficient access to justice. We will continue to work closely with the Attorney-General's Chambers and other Government agencies to strengthen and invigorate the legal system, keeping it relevant and responsive to economic developments and the evolving needs of our society. As part of these efforts, MinLaw introduced the new Criminal Procedure Code Bill to strengthen Singapore's criminal justice framework, and the new Coroners Bill to modernise the legal framework for coroners' inquiries and enhance the fact-finding process, in 2011. MinLaw will continue to regularly review our criminal and civil justice systems to ensure that these provide a foundation facilitative of fair and effective outcomes. Amongst others, the proliferation of new media has brought about new challenges to the rule of law. MinLaw will review legislation to deal with harmful and unlawful online conduct. Another key component of a world-class rule of law framework is the provision of high quality legal services. MinLaw will ensure that Singapore's regulatory framework for the legal services industry responds to the needs of our growing, and increasingly cosmopolitan and sophisticated, economy. We will continue to work with legal industry stakeholders and economic agencies to position Singapore as a key hub for the provision of legal services.”