ARRESTED SUSPECT (Contacting of family)

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Home Affairs, after a suspect has been taken in for an investigation, how soon the police will allow the suspect to contact his family.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: As provided under the law, an arrested suspect is not allowed to talk to his family until preliminary police investigations are completed. This is to ensure that Police investigations are not compromised. Depending on the complexity of the case, preliminary investigations can take a few hours to several days or longer.

Notwithstanding the above, the family is informed of the suspect's arrest within a few hours of the arrest. In exceptional cases, such as where a family member is suspected to be linked to the offence either as a witness, co-conspirator or through an alibi claimed by the accused, the family may not be informed of the arrest until preliminary investigations are completed.