Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Investigations into Reports or Complaints Against Errant Retailers by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry

Question:

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in the light of complaints against errant retailers at Sim Lim Square, whether the police will carry out investigations into each complaint and take appropriate prosecution action against errant retailers who have cheated tourists and consumers so that the reputation of Singapore can be protected.

Oral reply by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry:

1. When a report or complaint is received by the Police, they first assess the information provided, and they exercise their powers of investigation under the Criminal Procedure Code only if the information suggests that a criminal offence has been committed, for example cheating. If not, Police will advise the complainants to pursue alternative means of redress, for example filing a civil claim or seeking a court injunction.

2. If it appears that a criminal offence has been committed, the Police will investigate and assess the evidence gathered in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), to decide on the action to take. The AGC has the final prosecutorial discretion on whether to press charges against the offenders in Court.

3. Police investigations into the recent Sim Lim Square cases are ongoing, and I am unable to comment further on that matter.