SINGAPORE LAW

I am teaching a group of students who will be taking an exam to earn a scholarship to study in Singapore. Here is a bit more info on the destination. Some of the things I learned are quite surprising!

Fines
Fines are a defining element of life in Singapore. Some of the fines are for offenses that international travelers might expect, such as littering or jaywalking. First-time offenders can be fined S$500 or more.

It is illegal to use a toilet in Singapore and then not flush it. You will also be given a fine if you are caught spitting. The sale, importation and possession of chewing gum is banned and subject to heavy fines. First-time offenders can be fined S$1,000 and repeat-offenders are fined S$2,000 and given corrective work, such as cleaning a public place. The offenders are made to wear bright jackets, and sometimes, media are invited to cover the spectacle. This rule was introduced because of the high cost and difficulty in removing chewing gum from public premises.

Other items that cannot be brought into the country without authorization from the government include bullet-proof clothing, toy guns, pistols, weapons, or spears. Chewing tobacco, toy currency, and obscene materials are strictly prohibited.

No Smoking!
Smoking is not allowed in public buses, taxis, lifts, theaters, cinemas, government offices, and in air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centers. First-time offenders face a maximum fine of S$1,000. Where smoking is allowed, smokers must make sure they put out their cigarette butts in the proper place. Flicking a cigarette butt on the ground could easily get a smoker fined for littering. Eating or drinking is also prohibited in Mass Rapid Transit trains and terminals. It carries a minimum fine of S$500.

All laws involving traffic rules, vehicle registration, and liability in case of accident are strictly enforced and may have criminal penalties. Laws against driving while using a cellular phone are very strictly enforced. First-time offenders can be fined up to S$10,000.

Rule of Thumb
A good rule of thumb to use in Singapore is if an activity is prohibited by a rule, guideline, or norm elsewhere, it is quite likely prohibited by law in Singapore.

Felonies
Laws pertaining to felonies in Singapore are also very tough and strictly enforced. For example, there is a mandatory caning sentence for vandalism offenses. Caning can also be imposed for immigration violations and other offenses. Caning is a mandatory part of the sentence for rape and many drug-trafficking offenses.

Drug Trafficking
A person trafficking a Class-A drug, such as heroin, receives a minimum punishment of 5-years imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane. A person trafficking a Class-B drug, cannabis, for instance, receives a minimum punishment of 3-years imprisonment and 3 strokes of the cane.

Persons caught trafficking larger amounts of narcotics are handled with an even more severe punishment. A mandatory death penalty was introduced in 1975 for persons convicted of trafficking in more than 15 grams of heroin or more than 30 grams of morphine. The death penalty is also mandated for trafficking 30 grams of cocaine, 500 grams of cannabis, 200 grams of cannabis resin, or 1.2 kilograms of opium. If you possess these quantities, you are deemed to be a trafficker and therefore subject to the death penalty.

Harsh Rehabilitation
Laws are strict. People who get caught with small amounts of drugs are sentenced to harsh rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation is a method of punishment, not a method of curing a medical problem.

Conditions during rehabilitation range from rough to severe. Those determined to be physically able to handle it are detoxified with the "cold turkey" method. The detoxification by "cold turkey" treatment was adopted as it was felt that the traumatic experience of "cold turkey" or detoxification would serve as a deterrent to ex-drug-takers going back to drugs.

Conclusion
Singapore attracts many tourists. The clean and safe city is a haven in the midst of a region governed by shaky regimes and corrupt police forces. The mass transit system runs efficiently and is immaculately clean. Public parks and private gardens are well maintained. Malls, streets, and beaches are free from litter. Crime rates are very low.