Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 · Updated to 15 Sep 2026 · Part 1 · Preliminary
4. Designated officers and authorised officers
Official textFrom Singapore Statutes Online, unchanged
The Minister may appoint any of the following as a designated officer or an authorised officer or both:
designated officer
“designated officer” means a designated officer appointed under section 4;
a public officer from any Ministry or department of the Government;
an employee of a public authority.
The appointment under subsection (1) of —
a public officer from a Ministry or department of the Government; or (b)an employee of a public authority,under the charge of another Minister is to be made in consultation with the other Minister.
Every designated officer or authorised officer appointed under subsection (1)(b) is deemed to be a public servant for the purpose of the Penal Code 1871.
authorised officer
“authorised officer” means an authorised officer appointed under section 4;
A reference in subsection (1) or (2) to a public officer from a Ministry or department of the Government or an employee of a public authority includes a public officer from another Ministry or department or an employee of another public authority performing duties in the firstmentioned Ministry, department or public authority (as the case may be) under a secondment arrangement making available temporarily to that firstmentioned Ministry, department or public authority the services of the public officer or employee.
public authority
“public authority” means a body established or constituted by or under a public Act to perform or discharge a public function;
The powers of a designated officer under this Act are to be exercised subject to any directions given, and any conditions and limitations specified, by the head of the Ministry, department or public authority in which the designated officer is serving, or any other person authorised by the head to give those directions or specify the conditions and limitations.
Terms defined in s 2
authorised officer
Defined · s 2“authorised officer” means an authorised officer appointed under section 4;
code
Defined · s 2“code of practice” or “code” means a code of practice issued under section 21(1), and includes a code of practice varied under section 21(2) or 26(7);
designated officer
Defined · s 2“designated officer” means a designated officer appointed under section 4;
public authority
Defined · s 2“public authority” means a body established or constituted by or under a public Act to perform or discharge a public function;
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Part 2
Directions Against Offences
Part 3
Part 2 Direction — Reconsideration and Appeal
Part 4
Designated Online Services
Part 5
Appeals Arising from Part 4
Part 6
Orders Against Non-Compliance
Part 7
Part 6 Order — Reconsideration and Appeal
Part 8
Reviewing Tribunals
Part 9
Service of Notices, Etc.
Part 10
Powers to Obtain Information
Part 11
Offences, Penalties and Defences
Part 12