SINGAPORE — Following the Dec 8 riot at Little India — the Republic’s worst public order disturbance in more than 40 years — the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today (Jan 20) introduced a temporary Bill that would provide Police with enhanced powers for one year to deal pre-emptively with potential threats to public order in Little India.

Under the enhanced powers, police officers would be allowed, for instance, to strip search a person for alcohol. Police officers holding the rank of sergeant and above would be empowered to raid any place within Little India, without a warrant, if the officer reasonably suspects an offence has been, is being, or likely to be committed.

The Bill also proposes that the Commissioner or an authorised officer have the power to ban people from entering Little India for up to 30 days if their presence or actions are likely to threaten public order.

The penalty for failing to comply is a fine of up to S$2,500 and/or jail of up to three months.

The Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill was introduced for First Reading at Parliament today.

Other features of the Bill include a general prohibition against the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol within this area, with a permit regime to be introduced to allow such activities to be carried out under specific conditions. There will also be powers to allow the swift cancellation or suspension of any business licence of a licensee who commits or is reasonably suspected of contravening the law.

Addressing the House, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the proposed Bill is “scoped more tightly compared to the wide-ranging powers that come into effect when the Public Order (Preservation) Act is invoked” and provides only for the additional powers needed to deal with the issues within Little India.

“The Bill proposes that the law will be valid for one year. This will provide sufficient time for my Ministry to enact longer term legislation to take into account the findings and recommendations of the COI (Committee of Inquiry), and recommendations arising from public consultations on the review of the liquor licensing regime,” said Mr Teo, who is also Minister for Home Affairs.