Possibility of Criminal Prosecution for Dishonest Retailers

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and 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.

The Second Minister for Home Affairs (Mr S Iswaran) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mdm Speaker, when a report or a 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.

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.

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

Mdm Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

3.00 pm

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No. 22(3) Written Answers to Question Nos. 26-27, 30-34, 36, 39, 41-43, 48-53, 55-60, 62-64, 66-67 and 70-72 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix*. Question Nos. 25, 28-29, 35, 37-38, 40, 44-47, 54, 61, 65 and 68-69 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament. ]