Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 5 · Other Counter‑Measures
32. Directions to discontinue telecommunication services
Feedback & supportThe Minister may, at any time upon or after making an activation order and when the activation order is in effect, give a direction in writing under this section, individually or as a class, to any telecommunication licensee within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1999 (called in this Part a telecommunication licensee).
A direction under this section may require the telecommunication licensee to whom the direction is given to take a specific action, or stop taking a specific action, during the period an activation order relating to a serious incident or threatened serious incident is in effect —
serious incident
“serious incident” means — (a)the carrying out of an act constituting —(i)a terrorist act within the meaning given by section 2(2) and (3) of the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act 2002 affecting persons or property situated in Singapore;(ii)a terrorist bombing offence within the meaning given by section 2 of the Terrorism (Suppression of Bombings) Act 2007 committed in Singapore;(iii)a nuclear terrorism offence within the meaning given by section 2 of the Terrorism (Suppression of Misuse of Radioactive Material) Act 2017 committed in Singapore;(iv)an abetment of or a conspiracy to commit an act or offence specified in sub‑paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii); or(v)an attempt to commit an act or offence specified in sub‑paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii); (b)the carrying out of an act of serious violence affecting the public; or(c)the carrying out of an act causing large‑scale public disorder.Illustrations(a)An explosion of a bomb in a shopping area during business hours. The bomber is evading authorities in Singapore, and a manhunt is mounted to capture the bomber.(b)The threat of an unlawful taking control of a rapid transit system by a forcible intrusion on board a train or at a train station or depot that puts the safety of the train, or any passengers or crew on board or outside the train, at risk.(c)Multiple coordinated attacks by gunmen shooting at a concert hall or cinema during a performance attended by a large audience and at other crowded locations.(d)A sit‑down demonstration for a cause attracts a large group of sympathisers who voluntarily join the sit‑in. For over a week, the group grows and the demonstrators start to occupy the publicly accessible paths and other open spaces in the central business district. Their presence starts to impede the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and interfere with normal trade or business activities in the area.(e)A group protesting in the street grows in size. The protestors start to destroy nearby vehicles and throw projectiles.
to prevent or avoid prejudicing the effective conduct of an ongoing law enforcement activity relating to the serious incident or threatened serious incident; or
to avoid or prevent endangering the safety of the public, or any law enforcement officer or serviceman during an ongoing law enforcement activity relating to the serious incident or threatened serious incident, by the provision of a telecommunication service about the serious incident or threatened serious incident.
Without limiting subsection (2), a direction under this section to a telecommunication licensee may include —
stopping messages carried by a telecommunication service provided by the telecommunication licensee;
prohibiting or restricting the provision, by the telecommunication licensee, of all or any telecommunication services and in such circumstances as specified in the direction; or
prohibiting or restricting the use of telecommunications by the telecommunication licensee in all cases or of such cases as may be considered necessary.
However, nothing in this section authorises the giving of any direction prohibiting the use of any telecommunications for the purpose of making or answering signals of distress.
In making a direction under this section, it is not necessary for the Minister to give any person who may be affected by the direction a chance to be heard before the direction is given.