Singapore legislation
Regulation 13
Regulation 13
Oaths and affirmations
Subregulation 1
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), every witness at a board convened to inquire into matters set out in regulation 5(1) shall be examined on oath, and a witness at a board convened to inquire into matters enumerated in regulation 5(2) shall only be examined on oath where the convening body so directs.
Subregulation 2
Where any child of tender years called as a witness does not in the opinion of the board understand the nature of an oath, his evidence may be received, though not given on oath, if in the opinion of the board he is possessed of sufficient intelligence to justify the reception of the evidence and understands the duty of speaking the truth.
Subregulation 3
Subject to paragraph (4) —
an oath shall be administered to any person in attendance as interpreter on a board convened to inquire into matters set out in regulation 5(1); and
an oath shall only be administered to a person in attendance as interpreter on a board convened to inquire into matters set out in regulation 5(2) when the convening body gives direction under paragraph (1).
Subregulation 4
If —
a person objects to taking an oath, and states as the ground of his objection that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief; or
it is not reasonably practicable without inconvenience or without delaying the proceedings to administer an oath in the manner appropriate to his religious belief,he shall be permitted to make a solemn affirmation instead of taking an oath.
Subregulation 5
An oath shall be administered, or an affirmation made, before a board in the form and manner in Form 2 set out in the First Schedule.