Singapore, Jan 21 – The Singapore government will introduce a Bill which seeks to enact a temporary law to provide police with powers to continue to take calibrated measures to maintain public order and calm in Little India post-riot.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the new law would allow the police and other agencies to enforce alcohol restrictions and regulate the movement of persons.
“This new law is scoped more tightly compared to the wide-ranging powers that come into effect when the Public Order (Preservation) Act is invoked, and provides only for the additional powers needed for the purposes,” he said in Parliament today.
Teo, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, said: “The Bill proposes that the law be valid for one year.
“This will provide sufficient time for my ministry to enact longer-term legislation to take into account the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry (COI), and recommendations arising from public consultations on the review of the liquor licensing regime.”
A riot took place in Little India on the night of Dec 8, 2013, following an unruly mob reacting to a fatal traffic accident involving an Indian national.
Teo said this was the worst public order disturbance in Singapore in more than four decades.
Twenty emergency response vehicles were damaged, of which five were burnt.
Another seven private vehicles were damaged, while 49 Home Team officers sustained injuries.
– Bernama
