Commencement of the Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act

1. The Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act (the "Act") was passed by Parliament on 2 April 2024. The Act seeks to:

(a) Strengthen our levers against scams;

(b) Enhance the efficacy of Home Team operations; and

(c) Facilitate and safeguard Yellow Ribbon Singapore’s (YRSG) operations.

2. The following amendments in the Act will come into effect on 17 June 2024.

Allow Transmission of False Messages for Legitimate Purposes

3. The Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act has been amended to allow the transmission of false messages for certain legitimate purposes, related to: (a) public order, public safety or national security, or (b) the prevention, investigation or prosecution of offences. This would facilitate the conduct of simulated phishing exercises to enhance public awareness and vigilance against phishing scams.

Enhance the Efficacy of Home Team Operations

4. Currently, when a non-arrestable offence is reported, the Police will need to either investigate, or refer the informant to a Magistrate or to a mediator at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC). In some cases, it is not a good use of public resources to do so. The Act amends the Criminal Procedure Code to enable the Police to decide not to take further action in cases of non-arrestable offences, if the Police have reason to believe that: (a) the case is not of a serious nature, or (b) there are insufficient grounds for proceeding with the matter. Similar provisions are already in place for arrestable offences.

5. To enhance the management of arrested persons, the Act also amends our laws to:

(a) Allow officers from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to grant bail or personal bond for persons whom they have arrested; and

(b) Allow persons arrested under the National Registration Act and the Passports Act to be detained in immigration depots. ¹

Facilitate and Safeguard YRSG’s Operations

6. The Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises Act has been amended to:

(a) Remove the need for subsidiary legislation to be made regarding YRSG’s administrative staff matters. This will provide YRSG with greater flexibility on staff administration and disciplinary matters; and

(b) Give YRSG exclusive right to the use of YRSG’s symbols and symbols of initiatives related to YRSG’s mission, as well as to criminalise the misuse of these symbols for ill intent.

Other Amendments to Take Effect Later

7. The other amendments under the Act will be operationalised later this year:

(a) Introducing new offences to deter the misuse of local SIM cards;

(b) Enhancing the Police’s ability to apprehend persons posing a safety risk to themselves and others; and

(c) Allowing officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) to grant bail or personal bond for persons whom they have arrested.

8. For more information on the Act, please refer to the Annex .

[1] Immigration depots refer to places designated for the examination, inspection or detention of persons under the Immigration Act 1959. Examples include the ICA Building, Tuas Checkpoint and Woodlands Checkpoint.

Annexes

1.

MHA Press Release on the Introduction of the Law Enforcement and Other Matters Bill

2.

Second Reading of the Law Enforcement and Other Matters Bill – Opening Speech by Mrs Josephine Teo, Second Minister for Home Affairs

3.

Second Reading of the Law Enforcement and Other Matters Bill – Wrap-Up Speech by Mrs Josephine Teo, Second Minister for Home Affairs