MHA to boost laws to tackle drugs, foreign threats, road safety concerns

Singapore’s foreign interference law will be amended to counter evolving tactics on that front, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam on Sept 19.

The Road Traffic Act will also be updated to deal with the worsening road safety situation, he said in his ministry’s addendum to the President’s Address.

Mr Shanmugam noted that ongoing conflicts in regions like the Middle East have heightened the threats of foreign interference and terrorism.

Singapore also faces domestic challenges, from scams to the growing problem of drug abuse, including the recent surge in drug-laced vapes.

To respond to these threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will continue to strengthen laws, deepen partnerships and harness technology aggressively, Mr Shanmugam said.

The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, or Fica, was passed in 2021 to tackle foreign meddling in domestic politics through hostile information campaigns and the use of local proxies. The law allows a person to be deemed a politically significant person, requiring them to disclose political donations and foreign affiliations.

It was first invoked in February 2024 against businessman Philip Chan Man Ping, a naturalised Singapore citizen born in Hong Kong. His activities were assessed by the authorities as being directed towards a political end in Singapore.

On the roads, the number of speeding violations in the first half of 2025 surged by more than 45 per cent from the same period the year before, to over 118,000.

There were 46 speeding-related fatal accidents in 2024, up from 32 in 2023.

In the addendum, Mr Shanmugam said the global security environment is becoming increasingly volatile, with deepening geopolitical divisions and risks of racial and religious polarisation.

Terrorists and extremists have exploited this to radicalise and recruit others, inciting violence.

Singapore has taken action against radicalised individuals here, including a 14-year-old boy who was the first self-radicalisation case involving mixed ideologies.

To tackle the growing threat of youth self-radicalisation, the Internal Security Department and SGSecure Programme Office are working with the Education Ministry to teach students and school staff to look out for signs of radicalisation, Mr Shanmugam said.

He added that MHA is also looking to strengthen laws to tackle scams and drugs.

The scam situation here remains stark, with close to half a billion dollars lost in the first half of 2025 and almost 20,000 cases reported.

Drug abuse remains a concern as well, especially with the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods.

The authorities have been clamping down on such devices, and stricter laws were introduced on Sept 1.

This is a temporary measure while the Government looks at firming up legislation to tackle the problem.

Mr Shanmugam said MHA is working closely with other agencies to counter increasingly permissive attitudes towards drugs, and will support the Ministry of Health in tackling Kpod cases.

He added that the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill will be introduced later in 2025, to further streamline Singapore’s criminal laws, better protect vulnerable victims and tackle emerging crime trends.

On the technology front, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency has invested heavily in artificial intelligence and will increase efforts to harness the technology, he said.

The minister noted how technology has been used to greatly improve the travel clearance experience at checkpoints and crowd control measures at events.

It is key for MHA to continue to build and maintain public trust in the Home Team, said Mr Shanmugam.

He said: “With strong public trust, and by working together as One Home Team, we can confront emerging and evolving threats, and keep Singapore safe and secure.”

MHA’s addendum was released together with that of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), under the theme of strengthening social cohesion.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said MCCY will work with Singaporeans to expand the common space, realise their aspirations and nurture a “We First” society.

Here are the highlights of MCCY’s addendum:

• Foster intercultural and interfaith understanding and appreciation through partnerships such as networks of interfaith partners.

• Bridge communities through arts and heritage initiatives such as the SG Culture Pass, where each person is given $100 to spend on theatre performances, art workshops and heritage activities, to encourage local support for Singapore’s arts and heritage scene.

• Bridge communities together through sports, disability sports initiatives and events like the 2029 SEA Games.

• Bring young people from different backgrounds together through initiatives such as *Scape, the development of Somerset Belt, and Outward Bound Singapore on Coney Island.

• Help develop potential with arts and sports scholarships, a new home for Team Singapore in Kallang, and the integration of the High Performance Sport Institute and Singapore Sports School.

• Help the youth navigate adulting, explore career opportunities and access mentors though the SG Youth Plan.

• Build volunteerism through initiatives like The Collective for a Stronger Society, SG Cares Volunteer Centres, Youth Corps Singapore, and partnership with the Singapore Business Federation.

• Expand engagement and partnerships through the Singapore Government Partnerships Office, and train community leaders through the Community Volunteer Scheme.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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