Clarification by Minister of State for Law

The Chairman: Minister of State Murali, you have a clarification to make?

5.24 pm

The Minister of State for Law (Mr Murali Pillai): Thank you, Sir, for allowing me to speak.

Sir, at the Committee of Supply debate on the Ministry of Law, I stated in my speech that since the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code was implemented in August 2024, more than 100 accused persons have been released on personal bond for non-bailable offences.

Pursuant to a clarification sought by the hon Member Ms Sylvia Lim, I stated that my impression was that the 100 accused persons were released by the Court, but that I will check it.

I have since checked it, Sir, and I would like to clarify that the number of more than 100 persons is actually for non-bailable offences investigated by the Police. It does not include the number of persons released on personal bond for non-bailable offences by the Courts. We do not have the precise number of persons who have been released on personal bond for non-bailable offences by law enforcement agencies or by the Courts. We have been working with the relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force and the Courts, to track this number.

As I mentioned in my speech, the personal bond amendment is still in its infancy, having been operational for just six months or so since August 2024. It is still too early to assess the full impact of this amendment, but we will monitor this.

The Chairman: Your clarification is noted.