On 10 September 2024, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, refused to provide detailed information requested by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC, Ms He Ting Ru, regarding visa-free visitors involved in criminal offences in Singapore.

Ms He had asked for statistics on how many visa-free visitors had been arrested or identified as persons of interest for criminal activities from 2021 to June 2024, along with a breakdown of offences by type, number, and country of origin.

She also queried the consideration of enhanced screening measures and the possibility of introducing an electronic travel authorisation system similar to those in other jurisdictions.

In his written response, Mr Shanmugam stated that with over 150 countries on the visa-free entry list, it would not be practical or meaningful to publish crime statistics specific to visitors from these nations.

He added that doing so could carry bilateral implications and potentially send the wrong message to bona fide visitors from these countries.

Mr Shanmugam affirmed that Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) employs a risk-based, multi-layered approach to balance border security with traveller facilitation and assured that the current measures are sufficient. He reiterated that there were no immediate plans to implement an electronic travel authorisation regime, as it would increase inconvenience for visitors.

“We are satisfied with the current measures, and for now, do not see a need for an additional electronic travel authorisation regime. Also, such a regime will make visiting Singapore more inconvenient,” said Mr Shanmugam.

This response followed an oral reply delivered earlier that day by Minister of State (MOS) for Home Affairs, Ms Sun Xueling, who addressed a related question posed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Mr Leong Mun Wai from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

Mr Leong had expressed concerns about the potential rise in crime following the introduction of a 30-day visa exemption arrangement for Chinese nationals in February 2024. He specifically questioned whether the recent burglaries involving foreign syndicates had any link to this exemption and whether automated lanes at Changi Airport increased the risk of non-bona fide travellers entering the country.

Ms Sun refuted Mr Leong’s concerns, clarifying that there had been no increase in arrests among short-term visitors from China since the visa exemption came into effect.

She noted that the arrest rate of Chinese visitors had, in fact, decreased compared to the previous year. While acknowledging the involvement of some foreign nationals in criminal activity, she highlighted that the visa regime alone cannot eliminate all risks. Instead, ICA employs enhanced technology, such as biometrics and advanced data analytics, to screen travellers.

Ms Sun also emphasised the importance of the tourism sector to Singapore’s economy, generating S$27.2 billion in receipts in 2023 and employing over 71,000 workers. She argued that closing borders to prevent crimes would not be a viable solution, especially given Singapore’s competition with neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which are also working to attract Chinese visitors.

Despite further calls from Mr Leong for additional security measures and tougher penalties for cross-border crimes, Ms Sun reassured that the government continually reviews its laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code, to address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.

She affirmed that Singapore remains vigilant in adapting its laws and measures to combat evolving criminal trends.

Minister for Home Affairs and Law Mr K Shanmugam revealed that there were 17 fire incidents involving Active Mobility Devices (AMDs) in residential premises in the first half of 2024.

In a written response to a parliamentary question on 10 September, Mr Shanmugam noted that the number of such incidents has been on a steady decline, from 78 cases in 2019 to 31 in 2022 and 35 in 2023.

The figures were provided in response to questions raised by Mr Derrick Goh, People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, who also asked whether an increasing trend had been observed over the past five years and if further measures were being considered against errant consumers and retailers of non-compliant AMDs.

In his response, Mr Shanmugam highlighted that despite the downward trend, fire incidents involving AMDs remain a concern. To address this, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been enforcing strict regulations on the import, sale, and use of non-compliant AMDs since June 2021.

This includes mandatory approval for importing Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs) and motorised Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), which must meet prescribed technical and safety standards before use on public paths and roads.

Between 2020 and 2023, around 5,100 offences involving non-compliant AMDs were detected by LTA, along with approximately 100 violations by retailers. Seized devices are immediately confiscated, and enforcement actions are taken.

First-time offenders face fines of up to S$10,000, up to six months’ imprisonment, or both, for using a non-compliant AMD on public paths.

Retailers displaying non-compliant devices for sale face fines of up to S$20,000, and those illegally modifying devices risk penalties of up to S$20,000 or imprisonment of up to 24 months, or both.

The Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce, co-chaired by the LTA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), continues public education efforts to raise awareness about the risks of non-compliant devices, safe usage practices, and responsible disposal of motorised AMDs.

These initiatives aim to further reduce fire incidents and ensure public safety.