Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Rationale of Applying Extra-Territorial Reach of the Drug Consumption Offence to Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

Question:

Mr Derrick Goh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in view of the trend of permissive attitudes towards drugs globally and the rebound of overseas travel post-pandemic (a) what is the rationale for applying the extra-territorial reach of the drug consumption offence to only Singapore citizens and permanent residents, as per section 8A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider extending this to other Singapore residents, such as those on Long-Term Visit Pass or Dependant's Pass.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1.   Section 8A of the Misuse of Drugs Act was introduced in 1998 to apply extra-territorial jurisdiction to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who consume drugs overseas. As explained by the then-Minister for Home Affairs in the Second Reading of the Bill, this is to deter individuals who have permanent residency in Singapore from circumventing our drug laws by going overseas to feed their addiction. If they develop drug addictions, this will cause us many downstream criminal and social problems.

2.   For now, we do not think there is a need to extend extra-territorial reach to foreigners holding Work Passes or other immigration facilities, such as the Long Term Visit Pass or Student Pass, given their more transient stay in Singapore. If they are found to be abusing drugs, we can easily, and do, revoke their pass and deport them.