Singapore legislation

Section 51A

of Immigration Act 1959

Section 51A

Provision of information by Housing and Development Board

Amended by5/20105/20105/20105/20105/2010

(1)

Any immigration officer duly authorised by the Controller may, if the immigration officer considers it necessary for administering or enforcing any requirement under this Act or the regulations relating to the reporting of the place of residence of any person or any change thereof, by written notice require the Board to disclose any secret or confidential document or information which is in the possession or control of the Board.

Amended by5/2010

(2)

The Board must disclose the document or information required by an immigration officer under subsection (1) despite any obligation as to secrecy or confidentiality imposed by any law.

Amended by5/2010

(3)

Any immigration officer to whom any document or information has been disclosed under subsection (2) must not disclose that document or information to any other person except —

(a)

to another law enforcement officer for the performance of his or her official duties in administering or facilitating the administration of any written law, provided the Board consents to such disclosure; or

(b)

for the purpose of criminal proceedings.

Amended by5/2010

(4)

Any immigration officer who contravenes subsection (3), or any law enforcement officer who discloses any document or information obtained under that subsection to any other person other than for the purpose specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Amended by5/2010

(5)

In this section, unless the context otherwise requires —

Amended by5/2010

Definition

“Board” means the Housing and Development Board established under section 3 of the Housing and Development Act 1959;

Definition

“disclose”, in relation to any document or information, includes allowing access to such document or information;

Definition

“law enforcement officer” means —

(a)

any police officer;

(b)

any immigration officer; or

(c)

any registration officer within the meaning of the National Registration Act 1965.

Amended by5/2010