Incidents of Deliberate Laser Point Beam Strikes at Pedestrians and Motor Vehicle Users Reported in Past Five Years
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of reported deliberate laser pointer strikes on pedestrians and motorists over the past five years, as raised by Dr Tan Wu Meng. Minister of State for Home Affairs Mr Desmond Tan responded that four such reports were received between 2017 and 2021, with one perpetrator sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment for a rash act. Perpetrators may be prosecuted under the Penal Code 1871 for endangering personal safety or the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 for intentional harassment. These offenses carry penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment and fines ranging from S$2,500 to S$5,000. Victims of such incidents are advised to lodge a Police report to seek recourse against individuals who intentionally target them with laser beams.
Transcript
12 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in the past five years, how many incidents of deliberate laser pointer beam strikes at pedestrians and motor vehicle users have been reported; (b) of these, in how many cases are the perpetrators identified; (c) what are the enforcement actions or penalties arising; and (d) what recourse do pedestrians, drivers and riders have in the event of a laser pointer beam strike incident.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Mr Desmond Tan) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, from 2017 to 2021, Police received four reports involving laser pointer beams being directed at pedestrians and motor vehicles.
Two cases were committed by the same perpetrator. He was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment last year for committing an act so rashly as to endanger the personal safety of others. For the remaining two cases, Police had not been able to identify the perpetrators.
Persons found guilty of intentionally pointing laser beams at others may be liable for offences such as section 336 of the Penal Code 1871 for committing a rash act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others, which is punishable with a fine of up to S$2,500, or imprisonment of six months, or both, and section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 for intentional harassment, punishable with a fine of up to S$5,000, or imprisonment of six months, or both.
Victims of such incidents can lodge a Police report.
Mr Deputy Speaker: No supplementary questions? Mr Gan Thiam Poh.