In force2020 Revised Edition

Contents

Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 1 · Preliminary

7. Application of Act

To avoid doubt, the functions, powers or duties conferred by this Act in relation to a serious incident may be exercised or performed only if the act of serious violence or act causing large‑scale public disorder has been, or is being, or is likely to be, committed in Singapore.

Terms defined in this Act

act of serious violence
Defined · s 4
“act of serious violence” means an act that —(a)involves serious violence to an individual;(b)causes serious damage to property;(c)causes death;(d)endangers an individual’s life, including the life of the individual taking action;(e)causes a serious risk to the health or safety of the public; or(f)involves releasing into the environment or any part of the environment, or distributing or otherwise exposing the public to —(i)any toxic chemical; (ii)any dangerous, hazardous, radioactive or harmful substance; or(iii)any microbial or other biological agent, or toxin.(2) A reference in this section to an individual or a property is a reference to an individual or a property situated within Singapore. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
Open s 4
public
Defined · s 2
“public” includes a section of the public;
Open s 2
serious incident
Defined · s 3
“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.
Open s 3