PROTECTION OF PASSENGERS ON AEROPLANES FROM ACTS OF AIR RAGE

Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Communications if he will consider amending the law so as to protect passengers on aeroplanes from acts of air rage.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications (Dr Yaacob Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with Mr Rai that air rage is a menace, which needs to be dealt with firmly. Under our laws, it is already an offence for an individual to imperil the safety of an aircraft or any person on board by any disorderly conduct. Such an offender passenger, if convicted, is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to an imprisonment term of one year or both. Criminal acts carried out on board a Singapore aircraft can also be prosecuted under our Penal Code. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Communications is now reviewing the legislation, including the penalties, to see how these can be made more effective in curbing air rage.