There has been a spike in the number of young people locked up in Changi Prison for their involvement in secret society activities, under a law that allows detention without trial.
Singapore Prison Service (SPS) figures show that 65 individuals aged 29 or younger were in detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA) as at Dec 31, 2024. Eight of them were 19 years old and below.
There were 46 detainees aged 29 or younger in 2023, and 45 in 2022.
In all three years, the large majority of inmates were detained for their involvement in secret society activities.
CLTPA is used for serious crimes when prosecution is not viable, such as when witnesses are unwilling to testify in court for fear of reprisal.
A police spokeswoman said that under the Act, the Minister for Home Affairs may detain, or place under police supervision, persons associated with activities of a criminal nature, including involvement in a secret society.
The Act also covers offences such as unlicensed moneylending, drug trafficking, kidnapping and organised crime.
Those issued a detention order by the Minister for Home Affairs can be detained for up to 12 months.
Police said the minister must be satisfied that detaining a person under the Act is necessary in the interest of public safety, peace and good order. They added that powers under the Act are exercised carefully and sparingly.
“Our approach to tackling (secret society activities) includes enforcement under the Penal Code, and outreach to at-risk youths, with CLTPA being invoked only as a last resort,” said the police spokeswoman.
“The CLTPA is a critical piece of legislation for the police to deal with egregious criminal activities which threaten the sense of safety and security in Singapore, but which our typical criminal framework is unable to address effectively, in particular, the activities of gangs and secret societies.”
More than 1,300 suspected members of unlawful societies were arrested from 2022 to 2024.
As at Dec 31, 2024, SPS figures show that there were 100 CLTPA detainees across all age groups, including 99 who were behind bars for secret society activities.
Police said fewer than 10 individuals aged 19 and below were detained under the Act over the past three years.
“The police monitor the youth gang situation closely through regular and timely enforcement, and also put in place preventive education measures to steer youth away from gang activities,” the spokeswoman said.
For those who end up in gangs, the police said they adopt a rehabilitative approach in helping them reform, through emplacement in diversionary initiatives such as the Streetwise Programme.
However, for those who have committed serious criminal and secret society offences, the police said they will deal with them firmly and strictly, in accordance with the law.
The police added that there are safeguards in place to ensure that the CLTPA is used judiciously. For example, the public prosecutor’s consent must be obtained before a detention order can be issued by the Minister for Home Affairs.
Every order must also be reviewed by an independent advisory committee, which is chaired by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court and comprises respected members of society such as Justices of the Peace and senior lawyers, the police spokeswoman said. — The Straits Times/ANN
