|
 |
|
Source:
www.mha.gov.sg |
|
Response given by the Minister for
Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng at the Committee of Supply Debate on the
Ministry of Home Affairs, Thursday, 3 March 2005 |
|
|
Vice Situation |
|
"...Police has been closely monitoring the vice
situation and has stepped up enforcement action. In 2004, a total of about
5,200 female foreigners were arrested for involvement in vice activities
compared to 2,300 in year 2003 and 3,400 in year 2002. The lower figure in
2003 was due to SARS in the region. Any foreigner found to be involved in vice
activities will be repatriated and banned from re-entering Singapore. |
|
"To some extent, the increase in vice arrests is
not unexpected. In recent years, Singapore has been attracting more visitors.
In particular, the number of female visitors from the top nationalities
arrested for vice has increased by 37 per cent between 2002 and 2004. The
increase in vice arrests is due in part to the liberalised visa policies
introduced to support our tourism efforts. |
|
"We do recognise that we need to deal with the
problem at source. As such, ICA continues to fine-tune its policies and
procedures to deter the entry of visitors who come for vice activities without
affecting the entry of bona-fide visitors. |
|
"Apart from having the appropriate visa
requirements and sustained enforcement efforts and action, we will extend the
use of CCTVs to parts of Geylang next month. This would help to enhance the
sense of public safety and security for residents and businesses, and to deter
public soliciting in that area. |
|
"In addition, the Police is also engaging the
community in projects under the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP).
One such project - the Joo Chiat Road Community Watch Group - was recently
launched by Mr Chan Soo Sen. |
|
"The Joo Chiat Road Community Watch Group is an
initiative of the Joo Chiat Citizens’ Consultative Committee with support of
the Singapore Police Force, the National Environment Agency, the Land
Transport Authority and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. |
|
"The Watch Group aims to provide a focused and
coordinated approach to address community related issues which include
congregation of foreign women in public areas, noise pollution from pubs and
illegal parking. |
|
"Feedback from the residents has been very
encouraging and anecdotal evidence suggests that the situation along Joo Chiat
Road has now much improved..." |
|
Source:
Ministry of Home Affairs Press Release 3
Mar 2005 |
SingaporeUpdate.com All Rights Reserved
