Tight framework in place for Lasting Power of Attorney scheme: OPG

SINGAPORE — In response to calls for more safeguards to the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) scheme, the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) has clarified that safeguards are presently in place to support individuals’ decision-making.

Every applicant is responsible for appointing people they trust to make certain decisions on the applicant’s behalf, in the event that he or she loses mental capacity. It is not within OPG’s remit to act as deputy of applicants in judging the quality of their decisions.

“As fellow human beings, we respect each other’s choices and autonomy...I think, more or less, there is a tight framework in place to support individuals to make their decisions. But responsibility of individuals to make considered decisions cannot be over emphasised. Family members must play their part to understand and support the individual’s decision,” said Public Guardian Daniel Koh.

Mr Koh added that the state must be the “last resort” in safeguarding interests of vulnerable adults. “The state should only come in where applicants have no mental capacity to act, no deputies to act or there is possible miscarriage of justice,” he said.

This issue has been cast under the spotlight by an ongoing legal tussle where a wealthy window with dementia, Mdm Chung Khin Chun, has applied to revoke the LPA she granted to Chinese national Yang Yin in 2012.