HEAD P - MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

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Head P – Ministry of Home Affairs

The Chairman: Head P – Ministry of Home Affairs. Mr Alvin Yeo.

National security and crime prevention

Mr Alvin Yeo (Hong Kah): Mdm Chairman, I beg to move,

That the total sum to be allocated for Head P of the Estimates be reduced by $100.

We live in a dangerous world. It seems unreal to say so when Singapore appears safe and peaceful on the outside. But trouble lurks not very far away. Over the last few years, we have witnessed terrorist bombings, several of them, in neighbouring Indonesia and, more recently, in Pakistan. We have read of gun battles and acts of violence in Thailand and the Philippines. And just across the Causeway, some Singaporeans have fallen victims themselves to criminals on their travels there. We even had the sad occasion of the first Singaporean fatality from terrorist acts in that infamous attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

It is therefore fully necessary that we remain on our guard and indeed strengthen our defences against security threats within our shores. The recapture of Mas Selamat does not mean that the JI threat has been eliminated, as it is a feature of the loose cell structure of these organisations that new leaders can emerge and carry on their destructive work.

This Budget and the supply estimates for this financial year 2010/2011 project a modest increase in expenditure for MHA and very minor increases in personnel for vital services like the Civil Defence, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Prisons. There appears to be no planned increases under the establishment list for the police and narcotics

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enforcement officers. I do appreciate we are making heavy investments to transform the economy, such as the $5.5 billion to be spent over five years to try and increase our productivity. But we simply cannot afford to neglect our homeland security while the threats from without and within Singapore still loom on the horizon.

I further note that much of the modest increase in expenditure for services like the police are for additional resources to host major events planned for this year, like the upcoming Youth Olympic Games. Otherwise, their operating expenditures are almost flat compared to the last financial year. At the same time, it is show-piece events like the Youth Olympic Games which present tempting opportunities for the terrorist groups who seek to disrupt our society.

I therefore do ask whether we are devoting sufficient resources to our homeland security services who, besides coping with the growing demands of a more difficult-to-please public, have to deal with terrorist threats that simply will not go away. Specifically, are we spending enough on intelligence services and on maintaining our links with intelligence agencies abroad, as it does appear that the greatest weapon against an invisible enemy is the intelligence gathering to try and figure out their next move, their next target and to prevent them from ever carrying out their evil plans rather than to just try and pick up the pieces after the damage has already been done?

Turning now to the prevention of crime, it is heartening to note that the overall crime rate remains low. It has dropped from 727 per 100,000 of population in 2007 to 685 in 2008, and down further last year to 652. The police should be lauded for these credible results.

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But less heartening are the recidivism figures, which track the percentage of convicts who reoffend within two years of their release from prison. This has gone up from 24.2% in 2007 to 25.1% in 2008 and then to 28% in 2009. The estimate given for 2010 is even higher – 30%. While these figures are well below the norm in the west of something closer to 40%, the trend is disturbing. We clearly need to focus more efforts on the rehabilitation of offenders, and to try to reintegrate them into society so that they will not go back to their old ways. I do ask for initiatives the Ministry has to tackle this problematic issue. Otherwise, we are breeding a segment of society that are career or life-time criminals.

Turning to drug abuse, the number of drug offenders was stable last year compared to 2008. But the number of new addicts arrested and abusers of ecstasy and other party drugs have gone up. While we want to grow our country as a lifestyle destination, a great place to live, work and play with a vibrant lifestyle, this is probably one aspect of entertainment we do not want to see developing. With the opening of the two Integrated Resorts this year and the substantial increase in visitors and night spots and entertainment clubs that will accompany that, these statistics are set to rise. I therefore do ask the Ministry what measures they do have in place to counter this trend.

Home Affairs, indeed the services under the Ministry, play a vital part in Singaporeans' lives. In many ways, they are victims of their own success. It is precisely because overall there is a low rate of crime, and that calm and peace reins in this country that their importance is often overlooked by our citizens. But we simply cannot afford to do that or we will start down the slippery slope towards a society ridden by crime and instability.

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Terrorism

Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Mdm Chairman, it is never pleasant to talk about terrorism but it is one cause we and the rest of the civilised world will have to bear for some time. I appreciate that much of the work to detect and prevent such attacks go on behind closed doors. However, there are some important issues we can and should tackle openly. In particular, whether Singaporeans are psychologically prepared to such attacks and will react in a manner to ensure that the terrorists do not win. Most Singaporeans I spoke to do not regard terrorist activities as a serious threat to Singapore, and believe it is a problem for Government agencies to handle. But events round the world show that it is the citizen population that usually bears the brunt of the attacks. What is worse is such attacks have been known to create divisions between racial and religious groups. That is a consequence I dare not imagine for us.

The terrorists are also employing different methods. The shoe bombers have aimed higher and have graduated to underwear bombers. What will they think of next? This raises the question of whether our checkpoints have the necessary equipment and capabilities to keep up with these changing threats. In that regard, I would be grateful if the Minister could do the following things. One, please let us have an update on the assessment of the terrorist threats in our region. Two, let us know whether our road, sea and air checkpoints are able to keep up with the new threats and methods employed by terrorists. Three, most importantly, what steps his Ministry will be taking to educate and prepare Singaporeans for the dreaded possibility of one terrorist making his way on board or into an airplane, boat or building and wreaking havoc?

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Regional anti-terrorism measures

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Madam, security operations undertaken by the regional authorities last year led to the arrest of a number of terrorists in the region. While we should take heart at the efforts to improve security in our region, a nagging and continuing concern is that there are still other terrorists at large. In addition, there were worrying signs that international terrorists, like the Al Qaeda group, may be establishing or re-establishing their connections with terrorists in South-east Asia. May I ask for the Minister's current assessment of the regional security landscape and what further steps can be done to help make Singapore and South-east Asia safer?

Another growing concern is that Singaporeans may have become de-sensitised to messages and reminders of vigilance as we have not been exposed recently to a terrorist attack. What measures will MHA take to maintain vigilance among Singaporeans in peace time to prevent complacency from taking root?

With our population increasing and our doors open to foreigners, what measures does MHA have in place to ensure that terrorist cells do not take root in our community? Whilst ISD has, time and again, shown that it is not terrified by terror, the whole population must lock hands to ensure that terror does not find a foothold here. How does MHA seek to secure the partnership of the community neighbourhood groups in this, ie, to prevent terror taking a foothold here?

Mr Arthur Fong: Madam, may I take both cuts together?

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The Chairman: Mr Chiam may still appear. Please take your first cut, Mr Fong, and we will see how it goes.

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Enhancing crisis preparedness

Mr Arthur Fong: Mdm Chairman, in less than 15 months, India has experienced the Orissa cyclone, the water scarcity in Gujarat, the floods in Bihar, West Bengal, the massive earthquake in Gujarat as well as the terrorist attack in Mumbai. In China, there was the devastating Sichuan earthquake and also recently the tsunami in Asia. We in Singapore are thankful that we are not situated geographically in an area where it is prone to such natural disasters. But, Madam, the downside is that we could be lulled into a false sense of security, making us indifferent to the need to be prepared for any unintended crisis. Throughout history, the scene of official paralysis is often a cause for unnecessary loss of lives and property. Although Singaporeans are confident that this will not happen here, we must nevertheless be on guard lest our reputation of having an efficient and effective public machinery will be tarnished if we are unprepared for such disasters, however remote it may be.

The city of New Orleans is still paying the price for being unprepared when it was hit by the hurricane. Their problems were made worse when the Federal Government were caught off guard. Singapore being a small island State, our economy and our livelihood heavily dependent on tourism industry and services and being tensely populated, a terrorist attack or a serious industrial accident can set us back. I look to hear from the Home Affairs Minister on updating the House on the progress of our effort by enhancing crisis preparedness amongst our people and how our Home Team have kept up in this area.

The Chairman: Mr Chiam See Tong is not here. Mr Fong, you may proceed.

Casinos

Mr Arthur Fong: Mdm Chairman, Singapore revolutionised our tourism

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landscape when we open the casinos in each of the two Integrated Resorts. Unfortunately, the image I have of the resort is that from a picture published on the front page of the Straits Times is that of queues and guests lying on the floor waiting to get in. This is far from the glamour associated with casinos rolling out red carpets and glitzy decor to entice people to try their luck at the tables or simply to enjoy top-rate entertainment by various artistes.

Many people have since thronged the island of Sentosa. On the first day of its opening, it was reported that close to 80,000 people turned up at the door of Resorts World. Madam, I declare that I have not been to Resorts World yet. I have no idea of the size of the crowd but take it from what was reported in the media that the number must be big. The crowds are a mix of locals, foreign workers as well as a good number of tourists. It is a lightning rod for accidents waiting to happen.

To date, the debate in the House and our focus have been on regulating casino management and the possibly related undesirable activities. We have the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA)watching over the management to make sure they fall in line with the Casino Regulation Act. There is also the Casino Crime Investigation Branch (CCIB) as the enforcer fighting casino crimes. Collectively, there are about 300 staff. With the number of visitors to Resorts World at over 50,000, the dedicated manpower towards safety and security must be strained. I would assume that the CRA and the CCIB are mainly dealing with regulatory and gambling-related crimes respectively. We cannot expect them to police other areas.

Madam, with the Marina Sands announcing its opening date in April this year, we will be expecting tourist arrivals

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to increase. Singapore is a declared target of regional terrorist groups. They will relish at any opportunity to strike and make a statement of their intent. We have so far been able to keep our island State safe and also for our visitors. We have done well in maintaining security necessary for high profile visitors who came here for the world meetings, including Presidents during the recent APEC.

With the addition of these two iconic tourist attractions, we now have two vital spots where terrorists can attack. Like key installations, are the operators and the Home Team ready to make these two facilities hard targets? Can the Minister assure us that there are adequate resources allocated to tackle the crime and terrorist threats at these locations?

Casino and social menace

Dr Ong Seh Hong: Madam, the first of the two casinos in Singapore has opened for less than a month. Yet, there are already two cases of fraud reported. Then there is also a newspaper report of sexily dressed women plying the flesh trade in the casino hall on Sentosa.

Madam, when we allowed the incorporation of a casino to the integrated resort to help boost tourism in Singapore, I was one of the Members of Parliament who supported it. The House was then assured of measures and resources put in place to keep out casino-related crimes. The Ministry has set up the Casino Regulations Authority (CRA) and the Casino Crime Investigation Branch (CCIB). We are also trying to control the social problem related to uncontrolled gambling.

Madam, I am glad to note that MHA and related agencies have concentrated and deployed a lot of our resources to ensure that the casino operations are

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regulated, such as the licensing of special employees, prevention of money laundering activities and junket licensing. However, it is just as important that we do not overlook the social menaces and problems associated with gambling and we must be sure that we are prepared to prevent them from happening and, if not, to manage them well should they occur.

No matter how well prepared we are, there are always surprises in life. I read that a former Australian floor manager working in a casino in Adelaide wrote of a disturbing trend of children being left in hotel car parks while their parents played in the casinos.

In the United Kingdom, there were incidences of students gambling in the casino to try to pay off their study loans and we all know these people ended up deeper in financial troubles. There were also reports of students trying their luck at casinos after they got their study loans and expectedly they ended up with nothing to pay for their tuition fee. I am afraid of Singapore undergraduates trying their luck in the casino and do likewise.

Another social menace is the evolution of illegal money lending and the harassments that followed. In Macau, a young man with a university degree from UK was recently prosecuted for loan sharking activities. He had offered a man in a casino in Macau a loan of HK$80,000 but the loan was to be signed with a legalised financial institution. The lender took the loan but lost everything. He was later harassed into repaying an amount of HK$188,000.

Madam, it might be too early to predict what would happen in our casinos but I urge MHA to continue to keep a close watch on all these potential areas of social problems and tackle them as early as possible. I would also like to know

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whether our agencies, like CRA and CCIB, are adequately staffed to do these jobs in addition to their existing work.

Creating a Singaporean Singapore

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong (Tampines): As the Government now allows a double-barrelled race classification, but if a person with such a classification marries someone of yet another race, he or she is forced to choose which two of the three or four races are to be declared as the child's race. This seems a very artificial means of human classification made more for the convenience of the State than for one's personal identity. Not only is this at odds with the anthropological facts, it also leads to confusion and compounds and perpetuates the error down the generations. For these reasons, it is better that the attempt to force people to select a dominant race be dropped altogether and a new category "Singaporean" be created for people to choose should they wish.

Presently, in the identity card, there are 91 other races that Singapore citizens are classified under besides Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. They include Filipinos and Thais. Why not the creation of this category "Singaporeans"? Our multi-racial mix is increasingly diverse. The trend of inter-marriages is a strong indicator of integration in Singapore. It shows we share common values and lifestyles and have become more race blind. We should also ensure a level playing field for all citizens in every sphere, regardless of race, language or religion so that individuals do not find themselves having to choose a race for convenience and expediency just to enjoy greater advantages.

When I was growing up in Malaysia, I had a good friend who is half-Sikh and half-Chinese. He identified with the Chinese culture more than the Sikh. He eventually married a Chinese. But when it

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came to declaring his race for the purpose of applying to university, he was happy to put himself down as "Indian" because Indians had an easier time getting into university than the Chinese given the racial quota system in Malaysia.

In Singapore, we have to guard against the danger that such cost-benefit calculations guide one's choice of racial classification. We must ensure that all races are treated equally with no one race enjoying more benefits than another. This is the very foundation of our national creed. We should not force citizens to fit into racial categories just to suit our race-based policies, such as the ethnic-based self-help groups. Instead, we should encourage the blurring of lines rather than encourage people to assert their racial consciousness. Rather than adopt a race-based approach to solving problems, we should pour our combined resources and energies into national programmes. If you are poor or come from a dysfunctional family, you will get help as an individual, as a citizen, not as a member of some racial group.

To call for a Singaporean Singapore is not a call for people to ignore or deny their cultural roots. Today, many people still confuse the effects of biology and those of culture. Culture is essentially a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviour and artifacts that the members of society used to cope with their world and with one another and that are transmitted down the generations through learning. For example, you can be genetically Indian but be identified as a Malay-Muslim because your race is one and accepted by the community as one. Similarly, you can have Chinese parents but identified yourself as Korean if you are adopted by a Korean couple and raised as a Korean.

Some people believed that race determines culture and behaviour or that racial groups have by nature specific

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characteristics. Such beliefs can lead to racial stereotypes and bigotry. There is no valid scientific basis for such assertions. Madam, our founding leader, S. Rajaratnam, who wrote the national pledge was the strongest proponent of a Singaporean Singapore. He was born in Sri Lanka and his race was classified "Ceylonese" but in his later years, he made a conscious decision that he did not identify with Sri Lanka or any racial category, so he put himself under the category of "Others". If there were a classification "Singaporean" at that time, I have no doubt that Mr Rajaratnam would have chosen this instead of "Others".

Madam, we should review our race-based approaches to national problems and provide for those who want to classify their race as "Singaporean" so that we will become truly a Singaporean Singapore.

Religious harmony

Dr Ong Seh Hong: Madam, His Excellence Pope Benedict said, I quote, "Religions are for peace and reconciliation – they should not be interpreted otherwise," and he further stated, "The best way forward is via authentic dialogue based on truth and inspired by a sincere wish to know one another better, respecting differences and recognising what we have in common." His Excellency was making this statement in his first visit to Turkey calling for religious tolerance between the Muslims and the Christians, and, in general, for tolerance between all faiths.

The late Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, a man highly respected for his religious tolerance, once wrote, "For you, your religion; for me, my religion". For a religious man and religious leader of Indonesia’s biggest Muslim organisation, if not the world, he showed tremendous respect and tolerance for the belief of other faiths. One of the first things he did

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after becoming President was to participate in prayers at a Hindu temple in Bali.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama said, "I always say that every person on this earth has the freedom to practise or not practise religion. It is all right to do both." His Holiness throughout his practice has closely adhered to the virtue of multi- religious society and a healthy respect for each other.

Madam, here in Singapore, we are also a multi-racial and multi-religious society. With globalisation, in fact, we get more diverse. We also place very high values on the need to maintain religious tolerance and harmony here.

Besides "soft approaches", our Government recognised the need to introduce legislation to ensure that there is religious harmony and not leave things to chance. We have the Sedition Act and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act to prevent any overheating of religious fervour hurting our society. As a society, we have done a lot to promote greater interactions between the different faiths.

Our Government has set out a very clear guideline that "While each of us is free to propagate our religious beliefs, it must never be by way of insulting or denigrating the religious beliefs of others."

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Yet in spite of all these attempts, we still see people pushing beyond the OB markers. For example, we have the couple who was charged and convicted for mailing seditious materials to three Muslim civil servants. More recently, there was the uproar caused by Pastor Rony Tan. Madam, while I declare my interest as a practising Buddhist, I am not singling out any particular faith or anyone. I am more concerned that why, despite our

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clarity on the boundary for promoting one’s religion and faith and our constant call on maintaining religious harmony, we continue to see people pushing the boundary in the name of their religions.

Madam, have we not shown how serious we are in maintaining religious harmony? Is this the reason why people still think that they can get away by attacking another’s faith? I think perhaps it is timely for the Home Affairs Ministry to consider sending out stronger and clearer signals of our resolve whenever there is a breach. It is especially important when the breach is by a leader of a religious group as he or she would have a far greater sphere of influence.

Finally, maybe it is timely for us to consider making it compulsory for all our religious clerics, no matter what is their faith, to undergo a course on religious harmony and the guidelines before they are allowed to preach in Singapore.

Internet behaviour

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Madam, the exponential growth of the use of the Internet has changed the way of life of people the world over. There are no boundaries out of reach. There is very limited control on mitigating any negative effects. Often times, damage control is the order of the day when the use of the Internet is abused. Madam, in the real world, laws are put in place to ensure individuals behave responsibly and actions are taken to those who do otherwise, when their behaviours are against the social norms and affect others. The laws penalise individuals and have the Internet effect of deterrence.

The situation in the cyber world is not as simple. For one, the identity of individuals is hard to ascertain. You just hide behind pseudonyms and even false identities. The social norms of the Internet are also not as clearly articulated as that

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in the real world. We are beginning to see the serious negative impact the Internet can cause. The recent incident of remarks made by the Church pastor on Taoist and Buddhist that was put on the Internet, individuals making seditious remarks against certain ethnic groups as well as those making bomb hoaxes. Not to mention the adults preying on young Internet users as seen in cases of sexual offences resulting in Internet interfaces. As the Internet continues to spread its penetration into our society, more needs to be done to put in place laws to protect Singaporeans from anti-social Internet behaviours. Can the Minister please share his plans to further criminalise more irresponsible Internet offences to protect Singaporeans and Singapore society?

Crime rates, loan sharks and vice activities

Mr Christopher de Souza: Mdm Chairman, our population has been growing rapidly in recent years due to the increasing number of immigrants. The number of foreigners in Singapore has gone up by more than 100,000 a year in recent years and the latest figures from the Department of Statistics show that out of the approximately five million people living here, more than a third are non-citizens. I would like to ask the Minister if our crime rates over the last five years have increased beyond our population growth rate. It follows that we would need more anti-crime enforcement officers on the ground – patrolling the streets and working in and with the community neighborhood groups. Would MHA provide an assessment of its capability to deter a rise in crime in the face of the rise in the population and the continuing rise in the population.

With the opening of the casinos, we can expect that there will be more gamblers who may turn to loan sharks to finance their addictions. The papers have

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already reported crime incidents related to patrons of the casino. Therefore, how will MHA work with other Government bodies, such as MCYS and the Casino Regulatory Authority, to ensure that gambling at the casino does not lead to an increase in loans by loan sharks to the Singapore public? The National Council for Problem Gambling has a series of very emotive advertisements and one of them shows a little girl holding onto her piggy bank. So I would ask that if we are wanting to deter the breaking of that piggy bank and the breaking of that family piggy bank, how will we ensure through our inter-governmental relationship with the Casino Regulatory Authority and MCYS that loan sharks do not fund the gambling of addicts in the casino?

On this point, would MHA confirm if the recent amendment to the Moneylenders Act has had any deterrent effect on loan shark activities? I ask this because the serious and strong position MHA took during that debate ought to have itself that strong position, deterred the unlicensed moneylending industry from further increasing. On this issue of casinos, I join the chorus of well-argued speeches of Mr Arthur Fong and Dr Ong Seh Hong and request MHA to comment on whether it will roll out measures to deter vice activities linked with the casinos and, in particular, would MHA increase manpower in its Anti-Vice Branch to step up enforcement activities?

Loan sharks

Mr Arthur Fong: Madam, Members of this House have debated many times and spoken of the menace and disruptions caused by illegal moneylenders and their runners affecting their constituents. It is a topic of interest and a menace we seek to rid of for many years, even more so, after we have passed several laws, made amendments and increased the penalties. The problem still persists, only to see the loan sharks changing their methods of

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intimidation. It would also appear that loan sharks and their runners are able to keep steps ahead of our law enforcement. The case that my colleague, Dr Ong Seh Hong, mentioned about a young man in Hong Kong is indeed a real concern and it can very well happen here in Singapore. Loan sharking activities in Hong Kong and its nearby casino-filled island of Macau have many lessons that we can draw on. Loan sharking activities are like chameleons – changing its colour to suit the environment. In this case, the loan sharks are the predators changing their methods constantly.

We have, with good success, dealt with and curbed the Chinese secret societies, even though it was steeped in Singapore's history. Our war on drug abuse and traffickers have earned us high distinction with drug enforcement agencies around the world. We look to similar success in dealing with loan sharks and seek the Home Affairs Ministry's assessment of what their strategies are as well as how to send a strong and definitive signal to loan sharks after the recent amendments.

Mr Ang Mong Seng: ( In Mandarin ): [For vernacular speech, please refer to Appendix A.] The loan sharks have no respect for the law. They operate lawlessly, threatening and harassing innocent HDB residents by splashing paints on the walls and damaging public property. As a result, the Town Council will have to wash up, clean up and carry out repair works costing tens of thousands of dollars every year from the conservancy charges paid by the residents and the taxpayers' money. I would like to ask the Minister whether there are any measures to prevent the loan sharks from such acts of vandalism. In my view, loan sharks and their runners who are convicted of such offences should be liable for the damages and pay for the repairs.

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According to newspaper reports as well as complaints from my constituents, many affected residents are actually completely innocent. Some of them were unfortunate to have bought their flats from those who had borrowed from the loan sharks and defaulted on their payment. Hence, the loan sharks tried to seek them out and in the process harassed the poor new owners of the flats.

I hope that the Police would protect the new owners by installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) upon receiving complaints so that they can solve such cases. I hope the Minister will consider this suggestion.

In January this year, we passed the Moneylenders (Amendment) Act. I would like to know what effects have we achieved so far with the amended law.

There are three groups of people that the loan sharks do not lend money to: firstly, those who are more powerful than they are, because they do not have the means to recover the loan; secondly, their closed friends and relatives, for fear of damaging their relationships; and thirdly, the poor, because they may not even recover the principal loan. Then, to whom do they lend their money? They would lend only to those who have the means to service the loan – the gamblers. Now, with the opening of the casinos, their market is even bigger. I was told that some of the bigger loan sharks are now buying up the smaller loan sharks so that they can have more manpower and become more powerful. Is the police prepared to cope with the challenge of dealing with these groups?

*Cols. 3041-3042.

Drug and inhalant abuse

Ms Sylvia Lim: Madam, tracking the annual drug situation reports from 2002

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to 2009, I have made the following tentative observations: (a) the heroin situation has significantly deteriorated. From 2004 to 2006, when heroin only accounted for about 10% of arrests, the last three years has seen heroin arrests going up from 31% in 2007 to 58 per cent last year. (b) During the years when heroin abuse was lower, synthetic drugs were drugs of choice. In those years, the arrests consisted mainly of younger offenders, majority Chinese. (c) Subutex abuse led it to it being gazetted as a controlled drug. While CNB has been working to tackle Subutex abuse, heroin abuse rose, showing clear displacement effects from Subutex to heroin. (d) In the last three years, Malays formed the largest ethnic group arrested. This coincided with the upsurge of heroin as the drug of choice. (e) In the last three years, the age of offenders arrested was skewed towards older offenders aged 40 and above. This year's overlapped with the release of long-term imprisonment cases for repeat drug abuses.

Madam, for inhalant abuse, the CNB reports of 2008 and 2009 revealed more than 600 arrests. This is much higher than the previous peak of 400-plus in 1996, though of course we do have a larger population now. Of great concern is that youth below 20 years old accounted for more than 70% of the arrests. While Chinese still accounted for the largest group arrested for inhalant abuse, the number of Malays arrested has gone up. I would like to ask the Ministry the following questions: (1) is the drug and inhalant abuse situation affecting the Malay community more severely now than five years ago? (2) what is the social economic profile of those arrested for heroin abuse? Are they employed? Do they have criminal records? Do they live with their families? (3) How many repeat abuses had been re-arrested after serving LT? (4) Has the Subutex episode legalising and then criminalising worsened the drug

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situation overall? Lastly, regarding inhalant abuse, what is the social economic profile of the youths arrested? I noted that CNB had prevention literature targeted at parents. How many of these youth have parents who can be engaged?

Criminal records

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Madam, in this House, MHA has responded to MPs call for a more compassionate system towards giving former incarcerated individuals second chances. In some cases, the records are either considered spent or expunged. Indeed, a move in a positive direction and it is understandable for a start for MHA to move further cautiously in implementing that scheme, allowing only for the scheme to apply to those who have committed offences and showed positive social behaviour over a certain period. Have those whose records been expunged or considered "spent" continued with their positive behaviours and stayed crime-free? What percentage of these cases return to crime after their records have been expunged? Madam, I urge MHA to consider expanding the scheme to more cases, particularly to those who have shown good progress in staying crime-free.

I also understand that MHA also controls or manages the access of individuals with criminal records in some industries. For example, the security industry. Madam, I have come across many residents with previous criminal records and have appealed to be allowed to work in the security industry as, to them, that is the only reasonable industry that they can secure a job in. Unfortunately, there seems to be a blanket policy. Basically, no one with a criminal record can work as security guards, regardless of what they have done or when the offences were committed. For example, I met a single mother who was struggling to secure a job and was offered a job as a security guard. The problem is, she has been

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imprisoned previously for committing the offence of harbouring overstayers. Madam, she is a very simple woman, very simple-minded, trying to work hard to support her young children. She saw subletting of her rooms as a source of income as her ex-husband does not give maintenance. Her simplicity leads to her committing offence she was not aware of. Yes, ignorance is not an excuse but is she a security threat to society such that she cannot be allowed to work as a security guard? She has served her prison term and she has been struggling to survive. Yet when she has a chance to make it good for her children, her one mistake, probably due to ignorance, has cost her severely.

I ask the Minister to continue to consider such cases with more compassion and understanding.

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Recidivism

We always hope that when individuals leave the penal institutions, their world view will change and they will reach hard towards their direction and lead a crime-free life. This is the ideal outcome given that the investment put in to the supervision, rehabilitation and potential cost should be returned to the penal institution. What is the rate of recidivism in Singapore? What proportion of the castrated individuals return to committing offences again? Has the Ministry studied and ascertained if these groups who are more vulnerable than others from the Ministry's experience with cases whose records have been expunged or considered "spent" and the impact on this recidivism? Can the Ministry consider extending the scheme, as asked earlier, to more groups of former offenders?

Madam, studies have shown that there are many reasons that lead to individuals to re-offend. For example, lack

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of family support, environments that are not conducive and lack of job opportunities. They are related to secure and hold on to a job is very important. It provides ability and normalise their lives, having positive network of working colleagues at the same time. Have we ascertained the extent to which failure to secure a job and to keep a job contributed to recidivism?

While it may be simplistic to assume that expunging records lead to securing jobs will necessarily lead to non-offending, I would urge the Ministry to systematically assess this possibility. Yes, we have the Yellow Ribbon programme to help them secure jobs but many still struggle oftentimes, meeting unfortunate negative perceptions where employers and community members know their criminal history. I urge the Ministry to continue to study this recidivism and to reduce it.

Cycling

Mr Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Madam, the number of people cycling on the roads has risen and continues to rise. These cyclists fall into two categories – those that use only the roads when they cycle and those who cycle on the roads, the pavement, pedestrian footpaths and across pedestrian crossings. I would address each category in turn.

Cyclists that ride mainly the roads are either very keen road riders who can be seen riding road bikes. Alternatively, they are keen mountain bikers making their way to the various mountain biking trails. Both road and mountain bikers engage in the activity as a sport and that is certainly commendable and to be encouraged.

Their numbers have grown. On weekends, it is not uncommon to see a plethora of cyclists riding two and three abreast. Because of their numbers, they sometimes occupy a whole lane on the

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road thereby requiring cars and buses to pull up to the next lane to avoid them. One cycling enthusiast told me that riding in a plethora gives them a sense of safety and numbers. If the roads are not busy, this is usually not a problem. But with our growing vehicle population, space is a precious commodity on the roads. Safety becomes an issue. This may be compounded by some drivers or vehicles who get impatient and irritated. Whatever the reason, when safety becomes an issue, the cyclist is always going to be the loser. Sadly, deaths and injuries already occur. As regards the second category of cyclists, those that ride on the road, the pavements and across pedestrian crossings, this becomes a danger to both pedestrians as well as themselves.

I would therefore like to ask what steps the Ministry is taking to educate cyclists about road safety and safe cycling. What rules and regulations do cyclists have to adhere to when riding on the road? How does the Ministry intend to make cyclists aware of these rules in the same way that drivers have to take the Highway Code? What step does the Ministry intend to take to enforce regulations which do not permit cyclists to cycle on pavements and designated cycling paths? Is there a reason why cyclists are required to have lights on their bikes when they ride at night but are not required to wear helmets by law?

Madam, if we are to encourage cycling, we must not ignore the safety aspects.

The Chairman: Mr Viswa Sadasivan is not here. Deputy Prime Minister Wong.