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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg |
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Public Consultation on
Proposed Amendments to The Penal Code |
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The Ministry of Home Affairs is putting up
the proposed amendments to the Penal Code for public consultation at
REACH portal www.reach.gov.sg
(Consultation Channel) from Thu 9 Nov 06. |
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The review brings the Penal Code up to date,
and makes it more effective in maintaining a safe and secure environment
in today's context. |
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The last major amendments of the Penal Code
were made in 1984, and the penalties for fines in 1952. In the interim
period, sections have been amended but there has not been a
comprehensive review of the Penal Code. |
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With more than 500 sections, the Penal Code
is a very important piece of legislation and every effort has been made
to ensure that the review has been as thorough as possible. |
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This review covers all the sections in the
Penal Code to assess whether they should be amended, in relation to the
other provisions in the Code as well as other statutes in Singapore,
where applicable. We also looked at relevant legislation in other
countries. |
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The review has taken into account the impact
of technology, such as the Internet and mobile phones, which have become
an integral part of the lifestyle in Singapore, and are increasingly
employed by criminals to perpetrate their criminal activities. |
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It also took cognizance of Police¡¯s and the
Attorney-General¡¯s Chambers¡¯ experience in applying the Penal Code, as
well as court pronouncements and public feedback. |
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Updating the Legislation |
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The proposed changes cover three main areas: |
- a) Expand and modify the scope of 19 existing
offences and introduce 19 new offences;
- b) Update and clarify definitions, explanations
and expressions (involving 21 sections);
- c) Review penalties of existing offences as
well as propose penalties for new offences (altogether involving about
380 sections).
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The penalties in the Code have also been
reviewed and updated to ensure that they continue to effectively deter
criminal activities, and to give the Courts more flexibility in
sentencing. |
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The fines have been updated to take into
account changes in the purchasing power of money, as the fines have not
been adjusted since 1952. |
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The review of the Penal Code has been done
in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Ministry of
Law and various other agencies such as the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and Sports. |
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The proposed amendments will also be sent to
the Law Society for its views and inputs. |
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Senior Minister of State for Law and Home
Affairs A/Prof Ho Peng Kee says, "In reviewing the Penal Code, our
approach is to update its provisions so that they remain relevant and
effective in view of societal and global changes. As an important
criminal law legislation, the Penal Code should reflect the values of
Singapore society. Certain fundamental values remain close to our
hearts, such as the need to protect minors, an area we have enhanced.
Updating the provisions on penalties will give the Courts greater
flexibility in sentencing.¡± |
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Public Consultation from 9 Nov |
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The public are invited to give their
feedback and views via the Consultation Channel in the REACH portal at
www.reach.gov.sg. |
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The public consultation that begins on Thu 9
Nov will last till Sat 9 Dec. |
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The Ministry will consider the feedback
received from the public consultation and from other channels, including
that of the Law Society, before tabling the updated proposed amendments
in Parliament in the first half of next year. |
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
8 NOVEMBER 2006 |
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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg Press Release 8
Nov 2006 |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 9 November 2006
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