Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Singapore)

Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act

A police officer equipped with a firearm and handcuffs
An Act to make temporary provisions for the maintenance of public order, the control of supplies by sea to Singapore, and the prevention of strikes and lock-outs in essential services
Citation Ordinance No. 26 of 1955, now Cap. 67, 2000 Rev. Ed.
Enacted by Legislative Assembly of Singapore
Date enacted 22 September 1955
Date commenced 21 October 1955
Legislative history
Bill published on 31 August 1955
Introduced by Chief Secretary William Allmond Codrington Goode
First reading 18 August 1955
Second reading 22 September 1955
Third reading 22 September 1955

The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (often known by the abbreviation "CLTPA") is a Singapore statute that, among other things, allows the executive branch of the Government of Singapore to order that suspected criminals be detained without trial. It was introduced in 1955 during the colonial era and intended to be a temporary measure, but has been renewed continuously. The validity of the Act was most recently extended in November 2013, and it will remain in force till 20 October 2019. According to the Government, the Act is only used as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are unwilling or afraid to testify in court. The Act is used largely in cases relating to secret societies, drug trafficking and loansharking.

Part V of the Act provides that whenever the Minister for Home Affairs is satisfied that a person, whether at large or in custody, has been associated with activities of a criminal nature, the Minister may, with the consent of the Public Prosecutor, order that the person be detained for any period not exceeding 12 months if he is satisfied that the detention is necessary in the interests of public safety, peace and good order; or order that the person be subject to police supervision for any period not exceeding three years if he is satisfied that this is necessary. Within 28 days of a detention order being made, the Minister must refer the order and a statement of the grounds upon which the order was made to an advisory committee. The advisory committee must submit a written report on the making of the order, with recommendations as it thinks fit, to the President of Singapore, who may cancel or confirm the order. The President may, from time to time, extend the validity of any detention order for periods not exceeding 12 months at any one time, and may at any time refer any such orders for further consideration by an advisory committee. Between 2008 and 2012, the average number of detention orders issued each year was 43, and as of 31 October 2013 there were 209 people detained under the CLTPA.

Part II of the Act contains criminal offences designed to prevent supplies from falling into the hands of persons who intend or are about to act or have recently acted in a manner prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order in Singapore, and the creation or possession of subversive documents. Part III prohibits strikes and lock-outs in the electricity, gas and water service industries. It also renders illegal such actions taken in respect of other essential services unless 14 days' notice has been given, or during the course of proceedings taken to resolve trade disputes. Part IV contains various general provisions, including provisions empowering the police to disperse assemblies; carry out searches; and take photographs, finger impressions and body samples from persons arrested, detained or subject to police supervision.

History

The first version of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act ("CLTPA") was enacted as the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance 1955,[1] when Singapore was a Crown colony of the British Empire. Notable portions of the Ordinance included Part III which aimed to control the movement of persons and vessels in the Straits of Johor, and was intended to assist the Federation of Malaya in denying supplies to Communist terrorists in the jungles of Johor.[2] Part V made it necessary to give 14 days' notice of a strike or lock-out in an essential service to enable emergency arrangements to be made for ensuring a minimum service necessary for the well-being of the public.[3] The Ordinance required renewal after three years.[4]

In August 1958, the Ordinance was amended to provide for the preventive detention without trial of persons associated with criminal activities for up to six months.[5] During the Second Reading of the Amendment Bill, the Chief Secretary of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore, Edgeworth Beresford David, said that such powers were needed to combat gang fights or other crimes committed by secret society members, particularly violent conflict between such societies. He noted that while in 1954 there had been 30 secret society gang fights, by 1957 the number had risen to 150, and in the first six months of 1958 there had already been 157 fights – double the rate for the previous year. Such fights were difficult for the police to detect and to prosecute, as eyewitnesses were too frightened of reprisals to furnish information leading to the arrests of gang members.[6] He said:

It is in these circumstances that the Government has decided that more drastic steps must be taken to protect the public from the activities of these gangs, and that since, for the reasons I have given, it is not possible to achieve that protection through the normal judicial processes of the Courts, these safeguards, which are adequate in ordinary times, must, in the present abnormal crime-wave, be supplemented by executive action. It is not only the duty of the Government to do this in discharge of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and good order, but I believe that there is a wide public demand that such action should be taken and that it will meet with wholehearted support from all law-abiding members of the community.[7]
Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore 1959–1990, supported the introduction of detention without trial under the statute in August 1958

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the powers to detain without trial were not intended to be used indiscriminately. Rather, they were designed to deal with ringleaders of gangs and those primarily responsible for their activities, to break the organizations of gangs and prevent their leaders from coercing less vicious members of their gangs as well as the general public.[8] Further, the Government was introducing the powers as a temporary measure to meet an immediate threat, and they would not be retained as soon as the circumstances were such that the threat no longer existed.[9] The Amendment Bill was supported by Lee Kuan Yew, then Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar, who said:

Let us face the facts: either we bring these gangsters to trial, or we do nothing, or we lock them up without trial. Well, we prefer to bring them to trial if we could. As I know, and I think every practising lawyer in town knows, the point is now reached when police officers frankly admit that gangsters are not scared of the police any more. ... Now quite frankly either you surrender and say, well, the judicial process is inadequate and therefore we have been beaten by gangsters, or we say, well what do we do about it? I say, well, if there is no other way, then we had better deal with them firmly.[10]

After Singapore became a self-governing state within the British Empire, in September 1959 the Ordinance was amended again to extend the period of detention from six to 12 months, to give the Minister for Home Affairs the power to place persons associated with criminal activities under police supervision as an alternative to detention, and to impose special restrictions on persons under police supervision and special penalties on them for breaking the restrictions or being convicted of specified offences. The Ordinance, which was due to expire in October of that year, was also extended for a five-year period.[11] From that time, the Act has been extended every five years, remaining on the statute books after Singapore's full independence in 1965. The statute has been renewed 13 times since 1955, most recently on 11 November 2013,[12][13] and is presently in force till 20 October 2019.[14]

In 1998, Lee Kuan Yew, who by then had served as Prime Minister for over 40 years between 1959 and 1990 and was Senior Minister of Singapore at the time, reiterated his support for the law:

It must be realised that if you abolish the powers of arrest and detention and insist on trial in open court in accordance with the strict laws of evidence of a criminal trial, then law and order becomes without the slightest exaggeration utterly impossible, because whilst you may still nominally have law and order, the wherewithal to enforce it would have disappeared. The choice in many of these cases is either to go through the motions of a trial and let a guilty man off to continue his damage to society or to keep him confined without trial.[15]

The CLTPA was termed "draconian legislation" in a 2004 article by the Asian Centre for Human Rights,[16] and in its 2006 manifesto the Workers' Party of Singapore called for the Act to be re-examined to determine whether it is still necessary in today's context.[17] It has also been suggested by an academic that the power to detain without trial in the Act is unconstitutional as it is not authorized by Articles 149 and 150 of the Constitution of Singapore and is outside the common law legislative power of Parliament.[18]

Content

The long title of the Act states that it is "[a]n Act to make temporary provisions for the maintenance of public order, the control of supplies by sea to Singapore, and the prevention of strikes and lock-outs in essential services".[19] The Act is divided into five parts. The first part, entitled "Preliminary", specifies the short title of the Act and contains a definition section.[20] It also contains section 1(2), a sunset provision which reads: "This Act shall continue in force for a period of 5 years" from a specified date, currently 21 October 2014.[21] This provision is amended each time the validity of the Act is extended. The other parts of the Act deal with the matters described below.

Miscellaneous offences relating to public safety

Supplies

Under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, it is an offence, among other things, to demand, collect or receive supplies – such as these medical supplies – from any person when it may be reasonably presumed that that person intends to act in a manner prejudicial to public safety in Singapore.

Part II of the CLTPA creates miscellaneous offences relating to public safety. Under section 3(1), it is an offence to demand, collect or receive any supplies from any other person in circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that:

The term supplies is defined in section 2 as including money, food, drink, clothing, rubber, tin or other valuable commodity, any medicine or drug or other medical supplies, and any material or instrument or part thereof for printing, typewriting or duplicating words or objects in visible form. The penalty for the offence is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.[22]

Section 3(2) provides that any person who is found in possession of any supplies for which he cannot satisfactorily account in circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that the supplies are intended for the use of any person who that first-mentioned person knows or has reason to believe intends, or is about, to act, or has recently acted, in a manner prejudicial to public safety in Singapore or the maintenance of public order therein, is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.

It is an offence under section 3(3) for any person to provide, directly or indirectly, any supplies to any other person in circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that the first-mentioned person knows or has reason to believe that other person intends, or is about, to act, or has recently acted, in a manner prejudicial to public safety in Singapore or the maintenance of public order therein, or that the supplies so provided are intended for the use of any person who intends, or is about, so to act, or has recently so acted. On conviction, a person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. However, a person will not be convicted of an offence under section 3(3) if he proves that prior to being charged with or accused of that offence by a police officer or a person in authority he voluntarily gave full information of the offence to a police officer.[23]

Subversive documents

It is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment to make, cause to be made, carry or have in one's possession or under one's control any subversive document without lawful excuse.[24] A subversive document is any document which contains:

and includes any document indicating a connection, association or affiliation with any unlawful society.[25] The Act creates rebuttable presumptions that every document purporting to be a subversive document is of that nature until the contrary is proved;[26] and that a person who made, was carrying or had in his possession or under his control a subversive document is deemed to have known the nature and contents of the document.[27] The accused person has the burden of proving that he was unaware of the nature or contents of the subversive document that he made, caused to be made, was carrying or had in his possession or under his control; and that he made, caused to be made, was carrying or had the subversive document in his possession or under his control in such circumstances that at no time did he have reasonable cause to believe or suspect that the document was a subversive document.[28]

Illegal strikes and lock-outs in essential services

A group of workers seated on the ground during a strike in Taiwan in May 1989
Workers seated on the ground during a strike

Part III of the CLPTA deals with illegal strikes and lock-outs in essential services. Section 5 of the Act defines a strike as "the cessation of work by a body of persons employed in any essential service acting in combination, or a concerted refusal or a refusal under a common understanding of a number of persons who are or who have been so employed to continue to work or to accept employment", and a lock-out as "the closing of a place of employment or the suspension of work, or the refusal by an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him in consequence of a trade dispute, done with a view to compelling those persons, or to aid another employer in compelling persons employed by him, to accept terms or conditions of or affecting employment". Essential services are any services, businesses, trades, undertakings, manufactures or callings included in Part I of the First Schedule to the Act, namely:[29]

  1. Banking services, including services relating to transactions in securities and futures contracts.
  2. Broadcasting services.
  3. Bulk distribution of fuel and lubricants.
  4. Civil defence services provided by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
  5. Clearing and settlement services relating to transactions in securities and futures contracts and transactions in the banking system.
  6. Drug enforcement services provided by the Central Narcotics Bureau.
  7. Electricity and gas services.
  8. Fire services, including rescue and fire-fighting services provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
  9. Information services and undertakings provided by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and its agencies.
  10. Information technology services to support the processing of applications for permits for the import, export and transshipment of goods.
  11. Newspaper services.
  12. Pollution control and environmental monitoring and assessment services provided by the National Environment Agency.
    The container storage and holding area of PSA International's Keppel Terminal, photographed in May 2006. Such port services are essential services within the meaning of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.
  13. Port, dock and harbour services and undertakings including services relating to the tracking and safe navigation of vessels in the territorial waters of Singapore and marine services and facilities and port services and facilities as defined in the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act (Cap. 170A).
  14. Postal and telecommunication services and undertakings.
  15. Prison services.
  16. Private and public health services, including services relating to the collection of blood for the use of hospitals and the pharmaceutical services.
  17. Public transport and air transport services, including ground handling services.
  18. Refuse or waste collection services provided by any public waste collector licensee licensed under the Environmental Public Health Act (Cap. 95).
  19. Services provided by the Air Traffic Controllers and the Operations and Licensing Assistants of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
  20. Services provided by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
  21. Services relating to dealings in securities, trading in futures contracts and leveraged foreign exchange trading provided by the holder of a capital markets services licence under the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289).
  22. Sewerage and waste water treatment services.
  23. Veterinary public health services provided by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, including the inspection of primary food (meat and meat product, fish and fish product, egg, raw milk, fruit and vegetable) at the point of import and before distribution to retail.
  24. Water reclamation services.
  25. Water services.
  26. Weather information provided by the Meteorological Services Division of the National Environment Agency.
  27. The following undertakings performed for the Singapore Armed Forces:
    • the construction, maintenance and repair of military installations;
    • the design, development, production, manufacture, supply, transport, delivery, repair and maintenance of weapon systems (including military aircraft, ships, submarines and vehicles, arms, explosives, computer hardware and software and other military equipment) and spares and components thereof;
    • the land, air and sea transportation of military personnel and equipment;
    • the management and operation of warehouses, military retail outlets, storehouses, ferry terminals, cookhouses and camp complexes;
    • the security functions performed at military installations or buildings;
    • the supply, transport and delivery of military supplies, including rations and construction materials; and
    • the surveillance, testing and disposal of ammunition.
  28. All undertakings of whatever nature of —

Workmen employed in electricity, gas and water services may not go on strike at all,[30] and employers are not permitted to lock out workmen engaged in those services.[31] Workmen employed in other essential services shall not go on strike, and employers of such workmen shall not lock them out:

A strike or lock-out is deemed to be illegal if it is commenced, declared or continued in contravention of the above provisions or any provision of any other written law,[34] although a lock-out declared in consequence of an illegal strike or a strike declared in consequence of an illegal lock-out is not illegal.[35] It is an offence for any workman and any employer to commence, continue or otherwise act in furtherance of an illegal strike or lock-out; the penalty is a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both.[36] It is also an offence to instigate or incite others to take part in, or otherwise act in furtherance of, an illegal strike or lock-out;[37] and to give financial aid to illegal strikes or lock-outs.[38]

No person refusing to take part or to continue to take part in any illegal strike or lock-out is subject to expulsion from any trade union or society, or to any fine or penalty, or to the deprivation of any right or benefit to which he or his legal personal representatives would otherwise be entitled. He is also not liable to be placed in any respect, directly or indirectly, under any disability or at any disadvantage as compared with other members of the union or society, even if the rules of the trade union or society to which he belongs state otherwise.[39]

On 26 November 2012, 102 drivers from China employed by SMRT Buses refused to report to work, citing dissatisfaction with being paid less than their Malaysian and Singaporean counterparts and unhappiness with their living conditions. The following day, about 60 drivers again refused to work. The drivers returned to work on 28 November.[40] Subsequently, five drivers alleged to have instigated their colleagues to participate in the illegal strike were charged under the CLTPA. On 3 December, one of the drivers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment.[41] The other four drivers claimed trial, but eventually pleaded guilty on 25 February 2013. Senior District Judge See Kee Oon imposed deterrent sentences on them "to ensure that others are not emboldened towards attempting similar displays of disaffection over employment terms or conditions". He held that one aggravating factor was that the four drivers had planned the strike "ostensibly with the purpose of putting pressure on SMRT to accommodate their demands, but with the clear consciousness that it would cause disruption and inconvenience in the provision of transport services. This had the potential to severely affect the daily lives of all commuters who rely on public transport."[42] One driver who admitted to two charges of conspiring and inciting other drivers to participate in the strike was sentenced to seven weeks' jail, while the other three were each sentenced to six weeks' jail on one charge of conspiring to instigate the other drivers. Twenty-nine other "active participants" in the strike were repatriated to China in December 2012.[42][43]

Detention and police supervision

The door of a prison cell

It is convenient to first describe Part V of the CLTPA, which deals with detention of persons without trial and the supervision of persons by the police. (Part IV contains various general provisions, and is discussed below.)

Whenever the Minister for Home Affairs is satisfied that a person, whether at large or in custody, has been associated with activities of a criminal nature, the Minister may, with the consent of the Public Prosecutor:

In the 1993 case of Kamal Jit Singh v. Minister for Home Affairs,[45] the Court of Appeal of Singapore stated that validity of detention is not dependent on the subjective satisfaction of the authorities.[46][47] Therefore, a court is entitled to determine whether there are objective grounds for the Minister's satisfaction that a person has been associated with criminal activities and that his or her detention is necessary. On the other hand, it was held by the High Court in Re Wong Sin Yee that the judicial process is unsuitable for reaching decisions on questions of public safety, peace and good order.[48] Therefore, the court will not quash the Minister's decision to detain a person unless it is so outrageous in its defiance of accepted moral standards that no sensible person who had applied his mind to the question to be decided could have arrived at it.[49]

Detention

Preventive detention by the Minister

A person may be detained for criminal activities occurring either within or outside Singapore. While the Minister for Home Affairs must be satisfied that a detention order is required in the interests of public safety, peace and good order in Singapore, it does not follow that the threat to public safety, peace and good order must result from criminal activities in Singapore.[50]

Within 28 days of a detention order being made, the Minister must refer the order and a statement of the grounds upon which the order was made to an advisory committee.[51] Neither the Minister nor any other public servant is required to disclose facts which he considers to be against the public interest to disclose.[52] The advisory committee must submit a written report on the making of the order, with recommendations as it thinks fit, to the President of Singapore, who may cancel or confirm the order.[53]

The President may, from time to time, extend the validity of any detention order for periods not exceeding 12 months at any one time, and may at any time refer any such orders for further consideration by an advisory committee.[54]

On the recommendation of an advisory committee, the Minister may direct that a detainee be released from day to day to engage in employment, including self-employment.[55] A detainee may also be granted leave subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Minister thinks fit.[56] Any detainee who has been permitted to engage in employment or is granted leave who remains at large without lawful excuse or fails to return to his place of detention after the direction or leave has been revoked is deemed to be unlawfully at large and to have escaped from lawful custody.[57]

As detention under the CLTPA does not put a detainee in jeopardy of possible trial and punishment for an alleged offence, the detention is, in this narrow sense, not a criminal cause or matter. Therefore, if a detainee wishes to challenge the legality of his detention, he must apply for an order for review of detention (formerly known as a writ of habeas corpus)[58] under the civil procedure of the Supreme Court.[46][59] However, it is not within the court's province to determine that a detainee should be charged and tried in open court rather than be detained.[60]

In 1967, there were 620 people detained and 720 people subject to police supervision under the Act.[61] On 9 February 2009, in a written answer to a Parliamentary question by Nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng stated that 366 persons were detained and 272 released under the Act between 2004 and 2008. The Act was only used "as a last resort when a serious crime has been committed and a court prosecution is not possible because witnesses are not willing or afraid to testify in court. Most cases dealt with under the Act are related to secret societies, drug trafficking or loansharking."[62] During a Parliamentary debate on the extension of the Act's validity on 13 February, the Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, said that since 1999 the number of detention orders issued under the Act each year, about 60 to 80, had remained "relatively low". He denied the Act created a Guantánamo Bay situation – "The detainees are not kept in a special detention centre, so it cannot be a Guantanamo" – and added that detainees are held with other prisoners "according to the security risks and rehabilitation needs".[63]

Between 2008 and 2012, the average number of detention orders issued each year was 43. As of 31 October 2013, there were 209 people detained under the CLTPA, two-thirds for gang-related activity, a quarter for unlicensed moneylending, and the remainder for drug trafficking and other syndicated crimes.[13]

Police powers of arrest and detention

Any police officer may, without warrant, arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe there are grounds which would justify the person's detention.[64] In the 1960 case of Re Ong Yew Teck,[65] the High Court held that since a police officer ordering an arrest is not required to disclose facts which he considers to be against the public interest to disclose,[66] it is futile for a court to objectively decide whether there are grounds justifying detention. Therefore, a subjective test is to be applied – if the police officer honestly supposes he has reason to believe the required element, the court cannot go behind the officer's statement. However, Ong Yew Teck may no longer be good law in view of the Court of Appeal's more recent decision in Kamal Jit Singh (above).[67]

No person may be detained for enquiries for more than 24 hours unless such detention is authorized by a police officer of or above the rank of assistant superintendent, or for 48 hours in all.[68] Such a police officer may, if satisfied that the enquiries cannot be completed within 48 hours, authorize the further detention of the person for an additional period not exceeding 14 days.[69] In contrast, under Article 9(3) of the Constitution of Singapore, a person who is arrested must be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.[70] In addition, Article 9(4) states that he must without unreasonable delay, and in any case within 48 hours (excluding the time of any necessary journey), be produced before a magistrate and shall not be further detained in custody without the magistrate's authority.[71] However, the Constitution specifically provides that no law inconsistent with those provisions which was in force before the commencement of the Constitution and which authorizes the arrest and detention of any person in the interests of public safety, peace and good order is invalidated by these Articles.[72] No illegality in the detention by the police renders a detention order made subsequently by the Minister unlawful.[73]

When a detention order has been made against a person, any police officer may, without warrant, arrest that person and is required to forthwith report the arrest to the Commissioner of Police.[74] A person thus arrested is deemed to be in lawful custody and may be detained for not more than 48 hours in any prison or police station pending the instructions by the Minister for his further detention.[75]

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any written law, it is lawful for any police officer of or above the rank of assistant superintendent, or a police officer of any rank specially authorized by a police officer of or above the rank of assistant superintendent, to effect the arrest of any person in pursuance of the provisions of Part V of the Act, to enter and search any place. To effect an entrance into that place, a police officer may break open any outer or inner door or window of that place if he cannot otherwise obtain admittance.[76]

The powers conferred upon a police officer to arrest and detain persons pending enquiries, to arrest persons against whom detention orders have been made, and to enter and search premises may be exercised by an officer of the Central Narcotics Bureau.[77]

Police supervision

The headquarters of the Jurong Police Division. A person subject to supervision is obliged, among other things, to present himself to the officer in charge of the police division in which he lives to notify him of any change of residence.

After a detention order has been made or after its expiry, the Minister may direct that the person be subject to police supervision for a period not exceeding three years. The making of a police supervision order cancels any detention order in force.[78] Supervision orders must also be referred to an advisory committee and reviewed by the President.[79]

A person subject to supervision is subject to the following:

A person subject to supervision who contravenes or fails to comply with any order or restriction imposed on him is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than three years.[83] As the restrictions are absolute, a person need not possess any mens rea (fault element) to have committed an offence.[84]

It is also an offence for a person subject to supervision to:

The penalty is imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than three years.[89]

A person subject to supervision who is convicted of an offence committed after the date of the supervision order under the provisions of any law specified in the Third Schedule to the Act is liable to be imprisoned for twice as long as the maximum term for which he would otherwise have been liable, and also to be caned, notwithstanding any other written law to the contrary.[90]

The President may, from time to time, extend the period of a person's police supervision, and may at any time refer any such orders for further consideration by an advisory committee.[91]

Between 2009 and 31 October 2013, about 300 police supervision orders were issued in lieu of detention and to people who had been released from detention.[13]

General provisions

Part IV of the CLTPA contains various general provisions, including the following:

Dispersal of assemblies

Whenever the Minister for Home Affairs declares that an immediate threat to public peace exists within Singapore or any part of it, any police officer not below the rank of sergeant may command any assembly of 10 or more persons within Singapore to disperse. Any person joining or continuing in any assembly that has been commanded to disperse commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or both. A dispersal declaration remains in force for not more than 48 hours, but this is without prejudice to the making of a further declaration.[92]

Powers of search and boarding vessels

A police officer not below the rank of sergeant may, without warrant and with or without assistance, enter and search any premises, stop and search any vehicle or individual, whether in a public place or not, if he suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence is likely to be found on the premises or individual or in the vehicle, and may seize any evidence so found.[93] In addition, any police officer may, when on duty and on the authority of a police officer not below the rank of sergeant, stop, board and search any vessel not being or having the status of a ship of war, and remain on board so long as the vessel remains within the waters of Singapore.[94] Any evidence of the commission of any offence may be seized.[95] It is an offence for a person to resist, hinder or obstruct a police officer carrying out a search;[96] on conviction he is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.[97]

Admission of statements in evidence

Where any person is charged with any offence under the Act, any statement by that person to or in the hearing of any police officer of or above the rank of sergeant shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law, be admissible at his trial in evidence:

If the person chooses to testify in court as a witness, any such statement may be used in cross-examination and for the purpose of impeaching his credit.[98]

However, no such statement is admissible or usable if it appears to the court that the making of the statement has been caused by any inducement, threat or promise referring to the charge against that person, proceeding from a person in authority and sufficient, in the court's opinion, to give that person grounds which would appear to him reasonable for supposing that by making it he would gain any advantage or avoid any evil of a temporal nature in reference to the proceedings against him.[99]

Trials may be in camera

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any written law, a court may order that the whole or any part of any trial before it for any offence under the Act shall be dealt with in camera if it is satisfied that it is expedient in the interests of justice or of public safety or security to do so.[100]

Taking of photographs, finger impressions, body samples, etc.

A DNA sample being taken from the inside of a person's mouth using a swab

A police officer or officer of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) may exercise all or any of the following powers in respect of any person under arrest, detained or placed under police supervision under the Act:[101]

A body sample means a sample of blood, a sample of head hair (including the root), a swab taken from the person's mouth, or any other type of sample prescribed to be a body sample by the Minister for Home Affairs.[106]

Body samples may only be taken by a registered medical practitioner, a police officer or CNB officer who has received training, or any other suitably qualified or trained person duly appointed by the Commissioner of Police as an authorized person.[107] Before a body sample is taken, the person taking the sample must satisfy himself that the taking of the sample does not endanger the person from whom the sample is taken.[108] Every body sample is required to be sent to an authorised analyst for forensic DNA analysis.[109]

A person who fails without reasonable excuse to submit to the taking of photographs and finger impressions, provide registrable particulars and other particulars, or submit to the taking of body samples[110] commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment not exceeding one month, or both.[111] In addition, he can be caused to be photographed, and his finger impressions and body samples may be taken, using such force as is reasonably necessary.[112] However, blood samples and intimate samples may not be taken without consent.[113] (An intimate sample is any body sample obtained by means of any invasive procedure, but does not include samples to be obtained from (a) the genital or anal area of a person’s body; (b) a person's body orifice other than the mouth; or (c) the breasts of a woman.)[114]

The Commissioner of Police is required to maintain a register of all photographs, finger impressions, registrable particulars; and a DNA database.[115] Information stored in the register and DNA database may be used for a variety of purposes, including comparison with other information obtained in the course of investigations into offences.[116] Where an arrested person has been taken is released without having been convicted of any offence or placed on detention or supervision under the Act, all photographs, finger impressions, records of particulars or body samples taken from him must be removed from the register and DNA database.[117]

These provisions were introduced in 2004. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, said: "This amendment will ensure that our DNA database is more comprehensive. In turn, this will help improve intelligence and focus investigative efforts for more effective crime solving." Between 1994 and 2003, 60% of detainees and supervisees were found to have conviction records.[118]

Effect of the Act

The provisions of the Act are in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other written law and, in the event of conflict between any provision of this Act and any provision of any other written law, the provisions of the Act prevail.[119]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ No. 26 of 1955.
  2. ↑ William Allmond Codrington Goode (Chief Secretary), speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Bill, Colony of Singapore, Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report (22 September 1955), vol. 1, col. 761.
  3. ↑ Goode (1955), Legislative Assembly Debates, cols. 762–763.
  4. ↑ John Ede, speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Bill, Colony of Singapore, Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report (12 October 1955), vol. 1, col. 857.
  5. ↑ By the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance 1958 (No. 25 of 1958).
  6. ↑ Edgeworth Beresford David (Chief Secretary), speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Colony of Singapore, Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report (13 August 1958), vol. 7, cols. 603–605.
  7. ↑ David (1958), Legislative Assembly Debates, cols. 605–606.
  8. ↑ David (1958), Legislative Assembly Debates, col. 606.
  9. ↑ David (1958), Legislative Assembly Debates, cols. 631–632.
  10. ↑ Lee Kuan Yew, speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Colony of Singapore, Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report (13 August 1958), vol. 7, col. 618.
  11. ↑ Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Ordinance 1959 (No. 56 of 1959): see Ong Pang Boon (Minister for Home Affairs), speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Bill, State of Singapore, Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report (2 September 1959), vol. 11, cols. 575–576.
  12. ↑ Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee (Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs), speech during the Second Reading of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (13 February 2009), vol. 85, col. 3276: "[T]he Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act or CLTPA was enacted on 21st October 1955. Since then, Parliament has extended it eleven times." The Act was renewed for the 13th time by the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 Walter Sim (12 November 2013), "Detention without trial extended for 5 more years: Controversial law recently used in match-fixing case passed after lengthy discussion", The Straits Times, p. B5; Neo Chai Chin (12 November 2013), Law allowing detention without trial extended: MPs seek disclosure on detention numbers, assurances on safeguards against abuse, archived from the original on 14 November 2013.
  14. ↑ CLTPA, s. 1(2), as amended by the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2009: "This Act shall continue in force for a period of 5 years from 21st October 2014."
  15. ↑ Han Fook Kwang; Warren Fernandez; Sumiko Tan (1998), Lee Kuan Yew: The Man and His Ideas, Singapore: Times Editions & The Straits Times Press, p. 203, ISBN 978-981-204-049-7.
  16. ↑ "The right to chew 'therapeutic' gum: Uniquely Singaporean", ACHR Review (Asian Centre for Human Rights), 26 May 2004, archived from the original on 7 May 2009, retrieved 7 May 2009.
  17. ↑ "Justice, law and order", You have a choice: The Workers' Party Manifesto 2006, Workers' Party of Singapore, 2006, archived from the original on 7 May 2009, retrieved 7 May 2009.
  18. ↑ Tan Yock Lin (1987), "Some aspects of executive detention in Malaysia and Singapore", Malaya Law Review 29: 237–253 at 238–244.
  19. ↑ Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Cap. 67, 2000 Rev. Ed.) ("CLTPA").
  20. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 1 and 2.
  21. ↑ Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2013.
  22. ↑ CLTPA, s. 3(1).
  23. ↑ CLTPA, s. 3(4).
  24. ↑ CLTPA, s. 4(1).
  25. ↑ CLPTA, s. 2. The same section defines a document as "any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of these means, and includes any banner, emblem or other insignia".
  26. ↑ CLTPA, s. 4(2).
  27. ↑ CLTPA, s. 4(3).
  28. ↑ CLTPA, s. 4(4).
  29. ↑ CLTPA, s. 5 read with the First Schedule.
  30. ↑ CLTPA, s. 6(1). A workman is any person who has entered into or works under a contract with an employer, whether the contract be for manual labour, clerical work or otherwise, be expressed or implied, oral or in writing, and whether it be a contract of service or of apprenticeship or a contract personally to execute any work, and includes, for the purposes of any proceedings under Part III of the Act in relation to a trade dispute, a workman discharged during that dispute: CLTPA, s. 5.
  31. ↑ CLTPA, s. 6(3).
  32. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 6(2) and 6(4).
  33. ↑ CLTPA, s. 6(10).
  34. ↑ CLTPA, s. 7.
  35. ↑ CLTPA, s. 8.
  36. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 9(1) and 9(2).
  37. ↑ CLTPA, s. 10(a). Instigating or inciting others to withhold their labour or services knowing or having reason to believe that the probable consequences of that action will be to endanger human life or the efficient operation of any public health service or cause serious bodily injury or expose valuable property whether real or personal to destruction or serious damage, is also an offence: CLTPA, s. 10(b).
  38. ↑ CLTPA, s. 11.
  39. ↑ CLTPA, s. 12.
  40. ↑ "SMRT concludes talks with no-show bus drivers", Today, 26 November 2012, archived from the original on 3 December 2012; "SMRT wage protest sees no show by 60 drivers", Today, 27 November 2012, archived from the original on 3 December 2012; "SMRT bus drivers appear to end strike", Today, 28 November 2012, archived from the original on 3 December 2012.
  41. ↑ "MOM statement on SMRT bus drivers", Today, 29 November 2012, archived from the original on 3 December 2012; Hussain Syed Amir (3 December 2012), "SMRT bus driver sentenced to six weeks jail for participating in illegal strike", Today, archived from the original on 3 December 2012.
  42. 1 2 Amir Hussain (26 February 2013), "4 ex-SMRT drivers jailed", Today, p. 22, archived from the original on 28 February 2013.
  43. ↑ Jermyn Chow (26 February 2013), "4 bus drivers jailed for instigation: Three will each serve 6 weeks in jail, and the fourth 7 weeks, for their roles", The Straits Times, p. A5.
  44. ↑ CLTPA, s. 30.
  45. ↑ [1993] 1 S.L.R. [Singapore Law Reports] 24.
  46. 1 2 Kamal Jit Singh, p. 30.
  47. ↑ The Court cited Chng Suan Tze v. Minister for Home Affairs [1988] S.L.R. 132, Court of Appeal.
  48. ↑ Re Wong Sin Yee [2007] SGHC 147 at para. 46, citing Chng Suan Tze at 163. An appeal against this decision was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 21 February 2008: Selina Lum (21 February 2008), "Disgraced lawyer loses appeal against detention", The Straits Times (reproduced on AsiaOne).
  49. ↑ Wong Sin Yee at para. 46, citing Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v. Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 K.B. 223.
  50. ↑ Wong Sin Yee at paras. 15 and 21. See also Selina Lum; K.C. Vijayan (22 February 2008), "Should Act apply to crimes committed outside S'pore?", The Straits Times (reproduced on the Malaysian Bar website, archived from the original on 30 April 2009.
  51. ↑ CLTPA, s. 31(1).
  52. ↑ CLTPA, s. 41.
  53. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 31(2) and (3). If the President decides to confirm the order, he may make such variations to it as it thinks fit: s. 31(3).
  54. ↑ CLTPA, s. 38(1).
  55. ↑ CLTPA, s. 43(1).
  56. ↑ CLTPA, s. 43(4).
  57. ↑ CLTPA, s. 43(7).
  58. ↑ Interpretation Act (Cap. 1, 2002 Rev. Ed.), s. 41B (renaming of prerogative orders or writs).
  59. ↑ The Singapore Constitution, Art. 9(2), states: "Where a complaint is made to the High Court or any Judge thereof that a person is being unlawfully detained, the Court shall inquire into the complaint and, unless satisfied that the detention is lawful, shall order him to be produced before the Court and release him." The High Court is empowered by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap. 322, 2007 Rev. Ed.), s. 18(2) and para. 1 of the 1st Sch., to issue orders for the review of detention, and the procedure for applying for such an order is specified in O. 54 of the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5, 2006 Rev. Ed.).
  60. ↑ Kamal Jit Singh at p. 33, applied in Wong Sin Yee at para. 48.
  61. ↑ Lee Kuan Yew (18 March 1967), Speech by the Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, at the 1st Annual Dinner of the Singapore Advocates and Solicitors Society held on 18th March, 1967, at Adelphi Hotel, Speech-Text Archival and Retrieval System (STARS), National Archives of Singapore, archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2009.
  62. ↑ "366 Criminal Law detentions in five years", Today, 10 February 2009, p. 8, archived from the original on 12 February 2009; Kor Kian Beng (10 February 2009), "366 detentions under Act", The Straits Times (summary published on AsiaOne), p. B7.
  63. ↑ Ong Dai Lin (14 February 2009), "No chance of a Gitmo here", Weekend Today, p. 10, archived from the original on 15 February 2009.
  64. ↑ CLTPA, s. 44(1).
  65. ↑ [1960] M.L.J. [Malaya Law Journal] 67.
  66. ↑ Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance 1955, s. 53, which is in substance the same as CLTPA, s. 41.
  67. ↑ Ong Yew Teck was also criticized in Huang Su Mien (1960), " 'Has Reason to Believe' ", University of Malaya Law Review 2: 133 and John Tan Chor-Yong (1960), "Habeas Corpus in Singapore", University of Malaya Law Review 2: 323.
  68. ↑ CLTPA, s. 44(2).
  69. ↑ CLTPA, s. 44(3).
  70. ↑ Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Reprint), Art. 9(3).
  71. ↑ Singapore Constitution, Art. 9(4).
  72. ↑ Singapore Constitution, Art. 9(6), introduced by the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 1978 (No. 5 of 1978): see K[im] T[eck] K[im] Seah (1978), "Legislation Comment: Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1978 (No. 5)", Malaya Law Review 20: 439–443. The Article also states that "in particular, nothing in this Article shall affect the validity or operation of any such law before 10th March 1978."
  73. ↑ Shamm bin Sulong v. Minister for Home Affairs [1996] 2 S.L.R. 736, High Court, applied by Wong Sin Yee at paras. 23–25.
  74. ↑ CLTPA, s. 45(1).
  75. ↑ CLTPA, s. 45(2).
  76. ↑ CLTPA, s. 46.
  77. ↑ CLTPA, s. 47(1).
  78. ↑ CLTPA, s. 32(1). The Minister may, from time to time, by order in writing served on the person subject to supervision, vary, cancel or add to any restrictions imposed under this section: s. 33(2).
  79. ↑ CLTPA, s. 31(2).
  80. ↑ Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68, 1985 Rev. Ed.), ss. 14(1) and (2); CLTPA, s. 33(1)(a).
  81. ↑ CLTPA, s. 33(1)(b).
  82. ↑ A police supervision order that restricts a person from entering a certain area "at any time" does not comply with the requirement that a direction must be limited so as to take effect "between such hours as may be specified in the order": Public Prosecutor v. Chua Siang Kang [1960] M.L.J. 281, High Court, interpreting s. 49A(1)(f) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance 1955 as amended by the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Ordinance 1959 (No. 56 of 1959).
  83. ↑ CLTPA, s. 33(3).
  84. ↑ Seah Eng Joo v. R. [1961] M.L.J. 252, High Court (person who is drunk and thus incapable of intending to commit the offence can still be found guilty).
  85. ↑ CLTPA, s. 34(1).
  86. ↑ CLTPA, s. 36(b).
  87. ↑ CLTPA, s. 36(a).
  88. ↑ CLTPA, s. 36(c).
  89. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 34(2) and 36.
  90. ↑ CLTPA, s. 35.
  91. ↑ CLTPA, s. 38(2).
  92. ↑ CLTPA, s. 13.
  93. ↑ CLTPA, s. 14(1).
  94. ↑ CLTPA, s. 14(2). This power is expressed to be without prejudice to the provisions of any other written law.
  95. ↑ CLTPA, s. 14(3).
  96. ↑ CLTPA, s. 14(4).
  97. ↑ CLTPA, s. 20.
  98. ↑ CLTPA, s. 22(1).
  99. ↑ CLTPA, s. 22(2).
  100. ↑ CLTPA, s. 23.
  101. ↑ CLPTA, s. 27A(2), states that the powers referred to in s. 27A(1) may be exercised in respect of any of the following persons: (a) a person who, on 21 October 2004, is under arrest and detained under s. 44 or 45; (b) a person who, on 21 October 2004, is under detention or subject to supervision under ss. 30, 32 or 38; (c) a person who, on or after 21 October 2004, is arrested, detained or placed under police supervision under any of the provisions of the Act.
  102. ↑ A photograph, in relation to a person, includes the photograph of any distinguishing feature or mark on the body of that person: CLTPA, s. 27(1).
  103. ↑ The term finger impression in the Act includes a thumb impression and palmar impression: CLTPA, s. 27(1).
  104. ↑ Registrable particulars are the particulars of any detention or supervision order made under ss. 30, 32 or 38 of the Act and any name, description, photograph or finger impression of, or document relating to, any person so detained or placed under supervision, as the case may be: CLTPA, s. 27(1).
  105. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27A(1).
  106. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 27(1) and 27(2).
  107. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27B(1).
  108. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27B(2).
  109. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27B(4).
  110. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27A(3).
  111. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27A(4)(a).
  112. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27A(4)(b).
  113. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27A(5).
  114. ↑ CLTPA, ss. 27(1) and 27(3).
  115. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27C(1).
  116. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27C(2).
  117. ↑ CLTPA, s. 27C(3).
  118. ↑ Lee U-Wen (2 September 2004), "More can serve sentence at home: Up to 4,000 deserving inmates could benefit", Today, p. 5; The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, Ministry of Home Affairs, 16 June 2007, retrieved 7 May 2009.
  119. ↑ CLTPA, s. 29.

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