A five-day island-wide enforcement blitz conducted by Traffic Police (TP) against errant road users from 13 to 17 November 2023 resulted in three arrests and 159 summonses being issued.

The 159 summonses were issued for traffic violations such as speeding, red-light running, failing to wear a seatbelt, using a mobile communication device while driving, wearing an unapproved helmet and using a helmet fitted with a visor not of an approved type. Two motorists were placed under arrest for offences such as driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence and/or driving a motor vehicle without insurance coverage. The third motorist arrested was wanted by the Police for failing to attend court to answer for his actions in committing traffic offences such as failing to conform to red light signal, careless driving without due care and attention, failing to wear a seatbelt, permitting another person to use a vehicle without a valid driving licence and failing to stop after an accident.  

Owners of vehicles should take responsibility to check that the driver using their vehicles are holding valid driving licences. This can be done online via ‘Status of Driving Licence’ under E-Services of the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) website. The offence of permitting another person to use a vehicle without a valid driving licence under Section 35(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a maximum fine of $10,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders may face a maximum fine of $20,000, a jail term of up to six years, or both. 

Motorists may also check for records of outstanding traffic summonses issued by the Traffic Police online via ‘Status of Outstanding Traffic Offence and Payment of Fines’ under E-Services of the SPF website. A warrant of arrest may be issued against offenders who ignore their traffic summonses. 

Commander of Traffic Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Tan said, “The Traffic Police will continue to take firm action against motorists and pedestrians who choose to flout traffic laws and endanger the safety of other road users. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and everyone must abide by the traffic rules to keep the roads safe for everyone.”.

Annex A

Penalties of Mentioned Offences

Driving Without a Valid Driving Licence
The offence of driving without a valid driving licence under Sec 35(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a maximum fine of $10,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $20,000, a jail term of up to six years or both. The vehicle may also be forfeited. 

Using a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance Coverage
The offence of using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage under Sec 3(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960 carries a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Taking a Motor Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent
The offence of taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent under Sec 96(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a maximum fine of $1,0000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Speeding
The offence of speeding under Sec 63(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.

Failing to Conform to Red Light Signal
The offence of failing to conform to red light signal under Rule 11(f)(i) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules carries a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Failing to Wear a Seatbelt
The offence of failing to wear a seatbelt under Rule 4 of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules 2011 carries a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Using a Mobile Communication Device While Driving
The offence of using a mobile communication device while driving under Section 65B(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Using a Helmet With a Visor of Not an Approved Type, Failing to Secure the Helmet, and Using an Unapproved Helmet
The offences of using a helmet with a visor of not an approved type, failing to secure the helmet, and using an unapproved helmet under Sec 74(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carry a maximum fine of $1,000, a jail term of up to three months or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.

Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation between 10 November 2023 and 23 November 2023. A total of 229 men and 87 women, aged between 15 and 73, are assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 1,100 cases of scams, comprising mainly job scams, malware-enabled scams, phishing scams, Government Officials Impersonation scams, Internet love scams, e-commerce scams, where victims reportedly lost over $8.5 million.

The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence under Section 5 of the Payment Services Act 2019 carries a fine of up to $125,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both. 

The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (Customs) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation at Singapore Changi Airport on 16 November 2023. 

The enforcement operation is part of a series of operations conducted at the various immigration checkpoints since September 2023. Investigations are ongoing against the persons following enhanced checks conducted at the airport during the enforcement operations:

1. Two male foreigners, aged 37 and 48, were separately found to have moved into Singapore, an assortment of currency notes, which amounted to more than S$20,000, without declaration; 
   
2. Two male foreigner cash couriers, aged 39 and 53were found to have moved into Singapore an assortment of currency notes, which exceeded S$20,000, and to have made false declarations. The two men had moved into Singapore physical currency amounting to S$1.2 million, of which S$120,000 were under declared;
   
3. Ten other travellers were found with Customs offence of failure to declare and pay taxes on (i) dutiable cigarettes/tobacco products, (ii) liquors in excess of their duty-free allowance or (iii) new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food items exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief allowance. 
   

CAD oversees the Cross Border Cash Movement Reporting Regime (CBCRR) to curb money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities. The public is reminded that while there are no restrictions on the amount of Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to report the cross border physical movement of the CBNIs if the total value exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Failure to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding S$20,000 is an offence punishable under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. 

Offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding S$50,000 or to an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both. A confiscation order may also be sought for any part of the cash, in relation to which the offence was committed, that exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency). More information on Cross Border Cash Movement Reporting can be found on SPF’s website (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Commercial-Crimes/Suspicious-Transaction-Reporting-Office).

Under the Customs Act, any person who is in any way concerned in any fraudulent evasion of, or attempt to fraudulently evade, any customs duty or excise duty shall be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded. It is the responsibility of arriving travellers to make accurate and complete declaration of the dutiable and taxable items in their possession. To avoid the hefty penalties and for their own convenience, travellers or returning Singaporeans are strongly encouraged to make an advance declaration and payment for their dutiable or GST goods up to three days prior to their arrival in Singapore, using the Customs@SG Web Application. 

Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks and work with relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling attempts so as to keep Singapore safe. 

All travellers are reminded that the authorities will not tolerate any illegal activities as we strive to safeguard our land, air and sea borders against crime and security threats, including smuggling activities and non-compliance with our regulations. 

Civil servants to receive 0.6-month year-end bonus
Officers up to MX13(I) get additional lump sum of up to $800

This follows close consultation with public sector unions

                In close consultation with the public sector unions, the Government will pay all civil servants a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.6 month. Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional lump sum of $400 while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, and those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) will receive a higher lump sum of $800. This year-end payment takes into consideration that Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to come in at around 1.0 per cent in 2023, as well as the latest National Wages Council (NWC) guidelines.

Economic and Labour Market Outlook

2.               The Ministry of Trade and Industry has narrowed the GDP growth forecast of “0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent” to “around 1.0 per cent” for 2023. The revised forecast takes into consideration the labour market outlook, subdued external demand for the rest of the year and continued downside risks arising from geopolitical tensions.

Progressive approach to year-end payment

3               Against this backdrop, the Government will pay all civil servants a year-end AVC of 0.6 month. In line with the NWC’s recommendations, the Government will continue to adopt a progressive approach in determining the AVC for civil servants. Thus, civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional lump sum of $400 while civil servants in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, and those in the OSS will receive a higher lump sum of $800.

4               In total, civil servants will receive 0.9 month in full-year AVC for 2023.  Officers up to MX13(I) and equivalent will receive an additional lump sum of up to $1,200 in 2023. The Government will continue to pay the Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (13th month) of 1.0 month to all civil servants.