内政部：新加坡列为全球第六大最安全国家

为了维护公共秩序和社会安全，该法案（《刑法（临时条文）法》）需成为警察的得力措施。回望这些年的社会发展，该法案的延长是十分必要的。国际刑警组织一直警告其成员国，打击危害社会的团伙犯罪是迫切和必要的，因为这类犯罪具备“像流行病一样蔓延的风险”。当下，犯罪集团正跨越国界进行勾结，发展成国际性犯罪组织。该法案中列明的犯罪——毒品贩运、绑架、有组织犯罪、无证借贷和私会党活动——是这些犯罪集团最常见的类型。

我们对于这类犯罪活动的“零容忍”和致力于铲除它们的努力，使我们成为世界上最安全的国家之一。事实上，正如我的同事林谋泉先生所说，我们是亚洲最安全的国家之一。去年，全球和平指数（GPI）对全球最安全的国家进行排名，新加坡位列第六。我们在公共安全方面所做的工作，使新加坡人和外来居民能够生活在一个安全的环境中，并使我们能够吸引投资者、游客和大型活动组织者。一些居民和朋友在访问新加坡时告诉我，他们感到安全，即使他们的孩子早上很早醒来，自己一个人在公共汽车站等校车。这是我们感到非常自豪的事情。

去年1月份，YouGov的一项调查显示，政府在法律和秩序这一项中得到最高评价，77%的受访者给出了“良好”或“优秀”的评价。在维护个人权利和增强社会安全之间，达成了一个微妙的平衡。我们的刑法系统旨在平衡个人安全和利益与与整个社区的福祉。

我对目前的保障措施感到满意。正如我的议会同事所提到的，在引入任何拘留令或警方监视令之前，需要得到公共检察官的同意；被拘留者会被告知其拘留理由，并有权获得法律顾问；此外，拘留令和警方监视令还必须由独立委员会审查；目前由咨询委员会进行定期审查，并由专业人员进行评估。事实上，这些措施一直运作良好。

先生，作为一个开放的经济体和国际枢纽，新加坡必须保持最高水平的法律和秩序，不仅是为了保护我们的人民和客人，也是我们国家在这个竞争日益激烈且危险、动荡的世界中生存和发展的基本要求。我全力支持将《刑法（临时条文）法》再延长五年。

In the interests of good public order, safety and security, this legal instrument must be availed to our Police force. The extension has become even more necessary in view of recent developments. The INTERPOL has been warning all its member countries about the urgent need to combat the scourge of organised crime, which is "at risk of spreading at an epidemic level". Crime syndicates are forming alliances across borders and developing into international groups. The offences spelled out in the Act – drug trafficking, kidnapping, organised crime, unlicensed moneylending and secret society activities – in fact, are among the most common crimes committed by such syndicates.

Our zero tolerance of such criminal activities, and our commitment to eradicating them, have made us one of the safest countries in the world. In fact, as shared by my colleague, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, he had mentioned that we are one of the safest countries in Asia. Last year, the GPI ranked Singapore the sixth safest country globally. Our dedication to public safety has allowed Singaporeans and residents to live in a secure environment and enabled us to attract investors, tourists and event organisers. In fact, some of my residents and friends who visit Singapore, have told me that they feel secure, even when their children wake up early in the morning and wait for the school bus at the bus stop by themselves. This is something that we feel very proud of.

A survey by YouGov, reported in January last year, found that our Government's performance in the category of law and order was the most highly rated, with 77% giving the assessment of "good" or "excellent". It is a delicate balance, I agree, to strike between upholding individual rights and enhancing societal safety and security. Our criminal justice system seeks to balance the interests and protection of the individual, with the welfare of the general community.

I am satisfied that the safeguards put in place are sufficient, as mentioned by my fellow Parliamentary colleagues, including the requirement of the public prosecutor's consent before any DO or PSO is introduced. Detainees are informed of the grounds of their detention and have access to legal counsel. Furthermore, the DO and PSO must also be reviewed by an independent committee. The present system of periodic review by an advisory committee with assessments by professionals has, in fact, been working well.

Sir, as an open economy and an international hub, Singapore must maintain the highest levels of law and order, not just for the protection of our people and our guests, but also as a basic requirement for our nation to survive and thrive in this competitive and increasingly perilous and volatile world. I wholeheartedly support the extension of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act for another five more years.