Original Article Link: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/harsher-penalties-for-serious-crimes-why-spore-wants-to-cane-scammers-jail-sex-offenders-longer
Singapore’s proposed Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill seeks to toughen punishments for scams, sexual offences, and abuse of vulnerable victims. The measures reflect the Government’s ongoing strategy of using deterrent sentencing to maintain one of the world’s safest societies.
1. Caning and tougher sentences for scammers
- Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC MP) first raised the idea of caning scammers in Parliament in March 2025 after residents in his ward lost life savings to scams.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has now included it in the Bill, proposing mandatory caning (6–24 strokes) for scammers and syndicate members, and discretionary caning (up to 12 strokes) for money mules.
- Criminal lawyer Josephus Tan said caning has proven effective before, noting that loan-shark harassment cases fell sharply after caning was introduced for unlicensed-moneylending assistants in 2010.
- Defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary cautioned that while deterrence is important, courts must differentiate cases driven by desperation or addiction from those showing malicious intent.
- Sunil Sudheesan, head of criminal law at Quahe Woo & Palmer, warned against sentences that may be “unduly harsh” and stressed judicial discretion.
2. Stronger protection for vulnerable victims
- The Bill raises the maximum penalty for fatal abuse of children, domestic workers, and disabled or elderly victims from 20 years to life imprisonment or 30 years’ jail.
- The proposal follows public outrage over recent fatal abuse cases:
- The 2020 death of four-year-old Megan Khung, abused by her mother Foo Li Ping and boyfriend Wong Shi Xiang (Foo received 19 years’ jail; Wong 30 years and 17 strokes).
- Earlier cases such as Piang Ngaih Don, a Myanmar domestic worker murdered by her employer Gaiyathiri Murugayan.
- MOM data cited by the article showed roughly 320 maid-abuse reports yearly from 2020–2024, though no fatal cases in that period.
- Jaya Anil Kumar, director of casework and legal services at the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), argued that isolation and power imbalance—rather than lack of deterrent laws—drive most maid-abuse cases. She called for empowerment and oversight, not just punishment.
3. New offences for online sexual harms and AI pornography
- Sugidha Nithiananthan, advocacy and research director at the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), called the amendments a “necessary evolution” to tackle digital sexual offences.
- How Kay Lii, chief executive of SG Her Empowerment (SHE), said her organisation has supported over 400 victims of online sexual abuse, including deepfake and revenge-porn survivors. She welcomed provisions that criminalise AI-generated child pornography and managing sites distributing obscene content.
- Shashi Nathan, joint managing partner at Withers KhattarWong and head of its criminal litigation practice, said that normalising computer-generated child-sex imagery encourages tolerance of real child-abuse material and “crosses the line.”
4. Clarifying consensual sexting
- The Bill explicitly states that consensual sexting between adults is not illegal, while non-consensual sharing and any involvement of minors remains criminal.
- Josephus Tan noted enforcement challenges after break-ups, suggesting public education on digital consent.
- Sugidha Nithiananthan supported the clarification but stressed the need to foster a culture that “understands and respects consent—online and off.”
5. Broader perspectives
- Dr Tan Wu Meng called the Bill a decisive move supported by residents who want justice for scam victims.
- Jaya Anil Kumar and other advocates reiterated that prevention, community education, and better worker protection are essential complements to harsh penalties.
