Launch of the Point-to-Point Transport Industry Safety and Security Watch Group – Speech by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development

Mr Raymond Ong Thiam Khoon, President of the National Taxi Association (NTA),

Mr Joseph Goh Say Sing, General Secretary of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA),

Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Advisor to NTUC affiliated associations, NTA and NPHVA,

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Lian Ghim Hua,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I am delighted to join you this afternoon to launch the Point-to-Point Transport Industry Safety and Security Watch Group, together with partners from the NTA and the NPHVA, as well as representatives from the other Industry Safety and Security Watch Groups.

Maintaining a Strong Relationship with the Business Community

2. The Industry Safety and Security Watch Group scheme, or iSSWG, was set up in 2008 for the Home Team to work closely with stakeholders to address industry-specific safety and security concerns.

3. Prior to today’s launch, we had eight iSSWGs in the following industries –   chemical, financial, hotel, retail, manufacturing, public entertainment, online, and logistical transport industries.

4. These iSSWGs have been proactive in taking steps to enhance safety and security within their industry. They have partnered the Police to conduct seminars and workshops on topics ranging from scams to terrorism, as well as develop industry guidelines and standards on safety and security.

5. One example would be the development of the Singapore Standard for Hotel Security, also known as SS545. This standard is the first of its kind in the world, providing a framework to assist hotels in setting up a security management system. It is the product of collaboration among the Singapore Hotel Association, the National Crime Prevention Council, the Police, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and hotel operators in Singapore.

Susceptibility of Point-to-Point Transport to Safety and Security Threats

6. The formation of the point-to-point transport iSSWG will enable us to deal more effectively against security threats to the transport network. We have seen overseas examples of attacks carried out on buses and trains. Terrorists had also used vehicles as weapons to run down pedestrians.

7. Point-to-point transport services are also not spared. One such attack took place at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on 14 November 2021. A taxi carrying a passenger arrived at the main entrance of the hospital, where the bomb carried by the passenger was detonated as part of a lone-wolf attack, killing himself and injuring the taxi driver.

8. As members of this iSSWG, you can play your part by staying vigilant and alerting the authorities when you come across any suspicious sightings.

9. Another important role that you can play, is to enhance road safety for all road users.

10. In the last three years, there were on average about 1,600 traffic accidents involving taxis and private hire vehicles each year. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if safe driving habits were practised.

11. We are also concerned about physical and verbal abuse against taxi and private hire drivers. There were over 200 cases of abuse that were reported last year. Some of these cases might have arisen from misunderstandings between drivers and their passengers. I think we can work with drivers and passengers as well, on how we can treat each other with respect, and how to resolve misunderstandings and disputes amicably.

12. As drivers, you are our eyes and ears on the road. You play a crucial role in making our roads safe. You are an important partner to enhance safety and security.

13. As part of the launch today, I am pleased to announce that a brown bag session will be organised for our taxi and private hire drivers. The brown bag session is curated to equip our partners with valuable takeaways on road vigilance and safety measures, as well as practices to manage road disputes tactfully.

Honouring Recipients of the Outstanding Community Partnership Award

14. We are also here today to commend organisations that have gone above and beyond in crime prevention efforts in the past year. The Outstanding Community Partnership Award was established to recognise stakeholders that exemplify the spirit of collaboration and community to make Singapore safe and secure.

15. Grab is one of our award recipients today. As part of last year's road safety campaign titled "Be Safe, Be Seen", the Traffic Police partnered Grab to design a car wrap advertisement to promote awareness of vehicles’ blind spots.

16. Grab has also been proactive in playing their part to fight scams. Grab worked closely with the SPF anti-scam centre (ASC) to implement measures preventing scammers from using their platform to receive and transfer illicit funds. Examples include setting a daily cap on wallet top-up to mitigate potential losses for the victims, as well as collaborating with ASC to swiftly freeze payment channels used by scammers. Since the start of 2023, Grab and ASC have frozen 829 e-wallets used in scams and recovered more than $65,000.

17. Another award recipient is Watsons. As part of the Shop Theft Awareness for Retailers, or STAR programme, Watsons equipped its outlets with anti-shop-theft wobblers and trained its staff in the A.S.K. protocol to deter shoplifters.

18. Apart from Grab and Watsons, there are 43 other organisations receiving the award for their outstanding commitment and dedication to public safety. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all recipients. Your commitment to crime prevention serves as an inspiration to us all.

Conclusion

19. I would like to thank our community partners, including members of the new point-to-point transport iSSWG, for your steadfast support in making Singapore a safe and secure home for all.

20. On that note, I wish everyone an engaging networking session ahead.

21. Thank you.