Hmmmm history reminds us that the rise of police states are usually through subtle…… With this new bill, will the army gets special executive rights to run civilian lives. very suspicious leh……Cheesebuns.
“So this is how liberty dies — with thunderous applause.” – senator Padme Amidala , Star Wars Episode III : The Revenge of the Sith.
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SAF troops get legal powers to conduct security operations
Amendments to the SAF Act will provide a clear legal basis for them to carry out operations in support of civilian authorities.
May 22, 2007 AsiaOne
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel will get the legal power “to intercept, stop, search and detain, seize and apply force against hostile aircraft, vessels and persons”, in support of civil authorities, said Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Speaking in Parliament before the SAF (Amendment) Bill was passed, he said the enhanced power could only be used “for limited security operations duty in a defined area and allocated period of time as authorised by the Minister of Defence.”
About 2,000 personnel will be trained by the Military Police Command to use this power appropriately. They will be equipped with skills like general legal knowledge, search techniques, incident site management and effecting arrest.
These personnel will be identifiable by their “Military Security” armbands and carry identification that bears their photographs and NRIC number.
Mr Teo said this enhanced power is necessary to address new security threats posed by terrorists and international criminals. The new foe, he said, is elusive, wears no uniform and hides among innocents.
The new power is meant for specified threats in situations like a World Bank conference or an Asean Summit, which may not warrant a declaration of emergency by the President, explained Mr Teo.
“When you have a declaration of emergency by the President, it really is an extreme circumstance,” he added.
Mr Teo said that although SAF personnel are already undertaking homeland, air and maritime security operations, their legal powers and protection under domestic law when they are deployed are not sufficiently well-defined.
“These security operations often require the SAF to exercise selected and specific legal powers in Singapore territory and international waters and airspace that were not previously envisioned,” he told the House.
“Such powers include the right to intercept, stop, search and detain, seize and apply force against hostile aircraft, vessels and persons. Existing legislation that SAF personnel operate under does not define these powers adequately.”
Under the SAF Act, only military policemen have powers of search and arrest and these are limited to places under possession, control or occupancy of the SAF or situation where SAF operations are obstructed.
“There is therefore a need for a proper legal framework to ensure everything in the conduct of security operations is properly specified, and to lay out clearly what servicemen can and cannot do,” said Mr Teo.
Click here for the Minister’s speech in Parliament.
