Singapore's Strict Laws: How Did It Come To Be?

Singapore is known for its strict laws, which are a combination of local statutes and English common law. The country has a strong focus on maintaining order and has harsh punishments for violations, with the goal of ensuring social harmony and respect for multiculturalism. Singapore's transformation from a small fishing village to a global city is largely attributed to its strict adherence to regulations, which have helped to maintain the city's smooth operation, cleanliness, and peace. The country's laws are designed to set standards for public expectations and reflect their cultural integrity and environmental responsibility, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest and cleanest countries in the world.

Singapore's strict laws on littering and the sale of chewing gum

Singapore has very strict laws to maintain the order of the country, with both locals and foreigners required to follow them without exception. Many activities are criminalised under the Laws of Singapore.

Singapore's strict laws on littering are well-known, with first-time offenders facing a fine of up to S$1,000. Repeat offenders will be fined up to S$2,000 and may be subject to a Corrective Work Order (CWO), which involves spending a few hours cleaning a public place while wearing a bright jacket. This is often done in front of the local media.

Singapore also has strict laws regarding the sale and importation of chewing gum. Since 1992, the sale of chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore. The law was enacted to prevent people from placing used chewing gum in inappropriate and costly places, such as the sensors of subway doors, inside lock cylinders, and on elevator buttons. It is, however, not illegal to chew gum in Singapore, and travellers are allowed to bring in small amounts of gum for personal use. Therapeutic, dental, and nicotine chewing gums are also exempt from the ban and can be purchased from a doctor or registered pharmacist. The penalty for spitting gum out in an inappropriate place is a fine.

The ban on the sale of chewing gum was enforced with heavy fines of up to S$2,000 for those convicted of selling gum, as well as fines and/or jail time for importers. While the ban initially caused controversy and some defiance, with people travelling to neighbouring Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to purchase gum, the government publicly named and shamed offenders, and no black market for chewing gum ever emerged. The ban has been partially lifted to allow the sale of certain types of gum, such as gum for dental health, but the government remains firm on keeping the ban in place to prevent gum littering.

The country's tough drug laws

Singapore's tough drug laws are a result of the country's zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse. In the early 1970s, a heroin epidemic swept through the city-state, with over 3% of the young male population becoming addicted within a couple of years. As a small island nation with no exportable natural resources, Singapore's economic model relied on an industrious and efficient society. The prospect of a large percentage of the population becoming unproductive due to drug addiction posed an enormous economic threat.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 was enacted to combat drug-related offences such as trafficking, importation, exportation, possession, and consumption. The law grants the government, through agencies like the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), enforcement powers to prosecute offenders. The CNB was established in 1971 and is Singapore's main drug enforcement agency. It is responsible for coordinating drug eradication activities and has four main strategies: Aftercare and Continued Rehabilitation, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Rigorous Enforcement, and Preventive Drug Education.

The Misuse of Drugs Act classifies narcotic substances into three categories: Classes A, B, and C. The penal provisions are severe and provide for long terms of imprisonment, caning, and capital punishment. For example, under the Act, an individual can be fined up to $20,000 and/or face a maximum of 10 years in prison for possessing small amounts of illegal drugs. The Act also creates a presumption of trafficking for certain threshold amounts, such as 30 grams of cannabis.

Singapore's drug laws are considered some of the strictest in the world. The possession, consumption, manufacturing, import, export, or trafficking of controlled drugs in any amount is illegal. Persons caught with less than the Mandatory Death Penalty amounts of controlled substances face penalties ranging from caning to life in prison. The death penalty is imposed for drug trafficking, with amounts as low as 250 grams of cannabis or 2 grams of heroin resulting in a mandatory death sentence.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards preventive drug education and rehabilitation. The CNB has expanded its youth community and social media outreach efforts to encourage a drug-free lifestyle. Additionally, the bureau prepares preventive drug toolkits, such as mobile applications and parents' handbooks, to raise awareness about the harmful nature of drugs.

Laws surrounding smoking in public places

Singapore's strict laws surrounding smoking in public places have been enacted and amended over the years through various legislations, including the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act, which was first enacted in 1970 and has since been amended multiple times, with the most recent amendment in 2022. The laws prohibit smoking in specified places and vehicles, with the aim of maintaining a clean and healthy environment for both locals and tourists.

The definition of "smoking" in the Act includes inhaling and exhaling smoke from tobacco or any other substance, as well as holding a lit cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other form of tobacco product. The Act also defines a "specified place" as any publicly accessible place, common property of residential premises or buildings, recreational facilities, and certain vehicles. These can include public toilets, swimming pools, restaurants, and more.

The laws impose a fine of up to $1,000 for individuals who are found smoking in prohibited areas. Additionally, the owners or managers of these places are responsible for ensuring their customers do not smoke. They are required to display notices informing people about the smoking prohibition and can be fined up to $1,000 for failing to comply. If found guilty, they will be fined $200 for a first offence and $500 for subsequent offences.

To accommodate smokers, the law allows for the construction of designated smoking rooms that can occupy up to 10% of the total indoor space or outdoor smoking areas that do not exceed 20% of the outdoor refreshment area. However, these designated smoking areas are not permitted within 5 metres of entrances and exits, and smoking is also banned in certain places such as hospitals, schools, and parks.

Singapore's strict laws on smoking in public places are part of the country's broader efforts to maintain cleanliness and order, reduce littering, and promote a healthy lifestyle among its citizens. The laws have contributed to Singapore's reputation as one of the cleanest cities in the world, with strict enforcement and relatively high fines for violations.

The criminalisation of many activities

Singapore's strict laws are the result of its leaders' desire to create a model society. The city-state's legal system has been carefully constructed to maintain its reputation as one of the world's safest and cleanest cities.

Singapore's laws criminalise a wide range of activities, many of which are considered acceptable or only minor infractions in other countries. The city's laws are enforced with fines, imprisonment, and caning.

• Littering: Fines for littering can reach up to $1,000, and community service may also be required.
• Chewing gum: The sale and import of chewing gum are illegal in Singapore. Chewing gum in public is not illegal, but importing or selling large quantities is. The first-time penalty for importing or selling chewing gum can be as high as $100,000 or a prison sentence of up to two years.
• Eating and drinking on public transport: The 1987 Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) Act banned eating and drinking on MRT trains and in MRT stations. Passengers are not even allowed to drink plain water. Violators may be fined up to $500.
• Jaywalking: Crossing the road outside of marked areas is illegal in Singapore. Violators can receive an on-the-spot fine of $20, and fines can increase to up to $1,000 for repeat offenders.
• Not flushing a public toilet: The Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations mandate that public toilets must be flushed after use. Random checks are conducted by officials, and violators can be fined up to $1,000.
• Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi without permission: Under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act, accessing someone's unsecured Wi-Fi without permission is illegal. Offenders can be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to three years, or both.
• Drinking alcohol in public after 10:30 pm: The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol in any public place during 'no-public drinking periods', which are typically from 10:30 pm to 7 am. Violators may be fined up to $1,000 for the first offence, and up to $2,000 and/or imprisoned for up to three months for repeat offences.
• Smoking in prohibited areas: Smoking is banned in many outdoor spaces in Singapore. Fines for smoking in prohibited areas start at $200 and can increase to $1,000 if the case goes to court.
• Playing musical instruments in public: The Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act prohibits the use of musical instruments in public, as they are considered likely to cause annoyance or inconvenience to others. Violators can be fined up to $1,000 or face conviction.
• Feeding wildlife: Feeding wildlife in nature reserves and parks is prohibited without approval from the Director-General of Wildlife Management. Offenders can be fined up to $5,000, or up to $10,000 for subsequent offences.

Singapore's low tolerance for political debate

The PAP has been the dominant political party in Singapore since the 1959 general election, and it has won every election since, often with a large majority. This dominance has resulted in a lack of opposition and a perception of Singapore as a de facto one-party state. The PAP has been accused of using defamation lawsuits to bankrupt political opponents and critical journalists and bloggers, making them ineligible to run for office. They have also threatened voters, saying that constituencies voting for opposition MPs would be put at the bottom of the list for public housing programs.

The PAP's control over the country's institutions and its focus on stability and economic growth have contributed to its success. The party believes that the government knows what is best for the people, and it expects citizens to be hardworking, disciplined, and obedient. This attitude extends to the country's strict laws and regulations, which are enforced with fines and punishments to maintain order and cleanliness.

While Singapore has been rated highly for its low corruption and effective governance, there are concerns about its political process, civil liberties, and human rights. The country's laws restrict freedom of speech to maintain harmony within its multiracial and multi-religious society. The press has also been deemed "not free," and there is limited tolerance for dissent or special interest groups.

In recent years, there have been calls for more inclusive politics and a recognition that alternative parties are valuable to ensure the country's resilience and continuity. However, Singapore's political system remains heavily influenced by the PAP, and it will take time and effort to create meaningful change.

Frequently asked questions