Law targeting gangs that allows detention without trial extended for 15th time

The power to detain without trial is a"last resort" used in cases when victims or witnesses refuse to testify out of fear of reprisal, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.New: You can now listen to articles.SINGAPORE: Parliament on Wednesday voted to extend a law that allows the government to detain without trial people with links to certain criminal activity, especially gangs and secret societies.

“Our objection to the Bill has been conveyed by Mr Leong Mun Wai in his speech. We did not take the additional step to register our dissent again,” said a PSP spokesperson. “This was fewer than the number of cases in the same period of the previous term of the Act,” noted Dr Faishal. “They recruit young Singaporeans and engage in illicit activities and violent conduct. That is why we must continue to clamp down on them.”

He reiterated that the Act is used in cases where prosecution is not viable, as witnesses are unwilling to testify in court for fear of reprisal. The first committee scrutinises every detention and supervision order issued by the minister, examining evidence that was considered in issuing the order and submitting its report to the President to recommend the confirmation, variation or cancellation of the order.

Detainees are required to attend the first committee in person. They can be represented by lawyers and make representations to the various committees, he added. He recalled that in 2018, the WP had expressed concerns about amendments giving the Minister for Home Affairs the final say on whether detention is necessary.

Dr Faishal replied that MHA generally does not release information about the use of the Act as it must “balance the call for transparency against the need to prevent prejudice to investigations and to keep witnesses safe”. Mr Leong also wanted to know if the Public Defender's Office – set up in 2022 – can represent detainees under the Act. Dr Faishal said detainees are not assigned counsel by the state, but can find their own lawyer.

Under the Constitution, if the government disagrees with an advisory board's recommendation that an ISA detainee be released, the President’s concurrence is required for continued detention.Mr Louis Ng and Nominated MP Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked about the rehabilitation of detainees, including whether they have access to programmes for offenders who have gone through the regular court system.

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