Clarification by Minister of State for Home Affairs
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction by Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling regarding a parliamentary response about a proposed consolidated fund for victims of financial crimes. She clarified that the government is considering proposals to return recovered scam proceeds to victims, highlighting the complexities and concerns inherent in such a process. The Minister of State refined her previous phrasing to emphasize "returning recovered scam proceeds" rather than "compensating" victims to accurately reflect the government's policy intent. Despite the challenges mentioned, she reiterated the principle that the authorities remain committed to finding effective ways to recover and return these illicit proceeds. This statement ensures the official Hansard record precisely describes the nature of the assistance being explored for victims of scam-related financial crimes.
Transcript
The following statement was made in the reply given by the Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sun Xueling) during Question Time for Question No 4 at the Sitting of 28 February 2025:
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sun Xueling): On his other proposal regarding whether or not there could be a consolidated fund of some sorts where victims could perhaps through the fund, be able to recover some of their lost amounts, I would like to say that various proposals are being considered to see how best to be able to compensate victims… So, I am just trying to share with you that there are various, various difficulties and concerns that we have. But at the end of day, principle-wise, I agree with you that we should do our very best to be able to find some way of recovering proceeds and of course, compensating victims. [Please refer to "Percentage of Financial Crime Cases with Confiscated Assets Returned to Victims and Forfeited by Government", Official Report, 28 February 2025, Vol 95, Issue 155, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Written statement by Ms Sun Xueling circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply given for Parliamentary Question No 4 at the Sitting of 28 February 2025. My reply should be read as follows:
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sun Xueling): On his other proposal regarding whether or not there could be a consolidated fund of some sorts where victims could perhaps through the fund, be able to recover some of their lost amounts, I would like to say that various proposals are being considered to see how best to be able to return recovered scam proceeds to victims… So, I am just trying to share with you that there are various, various difficulties and concerns that we have. But at the end of day, principle-wise, I agree with you that we should do our very best to be able to find some way of recovering proceeds and of course, returning them to victims.