The gist: Proposed law to block scam victims’ bank transactions, changes to MediShield Life Bill passed
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Some 86 per cent of all reported scams in the first half of 2024 involved victims making voluntary transfers to scammers.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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SINGAPORE - Proposed anti-scam legislation could let the police impose restrictions on bank transactions by those “reasonably believed” to be targeted by scammers.
The landmark Protection from Scams Bill, introduced in Parliament on Nov 11, could give the authorities power to put a stop to everything from online banking to over-the-counter transactions by potential scam victims.
Parliament also passed proposed changes to the MediShield Life Scheme Bill, with seven MPs speaking on issues such as affordability and the scheme’s means-testing metrics.
Here are the key takeaways from the sitting:
Police could block bank transactions of potential scam victims under proposed Bill
The measures mean police can better protect those who refuse to believe they are being scammed, said the Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry.
PHOTO: ST FILE
The police could be allowed to issue restriction orders to banks, so as to block a potential scam victim’s transactions. These include those involving online banking, PayNow and ATM facilities, and even in-person over-the-counter transactions.
The measures mean police can better protect those who refuse to believe they are being scammed, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In some cases, victims had been told by the police, banks or family members that they were being scammed, but proceeded with the money transfers, the ministry said.
Why it matters:
Despite bank safeguards and extensive anti-scam education efforts, 86 per cent of all reported scams in the first half of 2024 involved victims making voluntary transfers to scammers.
The police currently cannot stop victims from doing what they want with their money, even if they are suspected of being scammed.
If the Bill is passed, Singapore could be the first country in the world to give the police powers to directly control the bank accounts of stubborn scam victims, including how much they are allowed to withdraw.
No review of current telemedicine standards needed, says health minister
Despite recent lapses by telemedicine operator MaNaDr Clinic, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said there is no need to review current requirements and standards for telemedicine.
He said existing rules, coupled with public feedback from customers, have ensured effective and prompt action against offenders breaching rules thus far.
MPs had asked about measures to ensure telehealth operators meet patient care standards, and whether additional regulatory frameworks will be put in place following the MaNaDr case.
The clinic’s doctors were found to have conducted extremely short teleconsultations of less than a minute, issued multiple medical certificates, and maintained extremely sparse patient case notes.
MaNaDr Clinic’s licence is set to be revoked.
Why it matters:
The MaNaDr incident called into question laws and guidelines governing newer business models such as telemedicine.
While there is potential for abuse of such emerging technology and business models, Mr Ong said they provide opportunities to serve people better.
“Questions will be raised – is the ministry stepping up audits, enforcement, regulation or clamp(ing) down? There is always a temptation to do so, and when you do so, you cease being able to seize the opportunities that the new technology presents you,” he said.
Good enforcement, following up on standards and taking necessary action will result in full utilisation and leveraging of opportunities offered by such business models and technology.
Proposed amendments to MediShield Life Scheme Bill passed on Nov 11
Changes to the MediShield Life scheme will improve protection for claimants amid rising costs, including for care received entirely outside the premises of a medical institution.
The changes will also strengthen provisions for the recovery of unpaid premiums, to ensure the scheme stays financially sustainable.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) had announced plans in mid-October to raise MediShield Life claim limits and premiums from April 2025 to manage rising healthcare costs.
Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam outlined proposed changes to the MediShield Life Scheme (Amendment) Bill. The amendments to the Bill were approved in Parliament on Nov 11.
Seven MPs raised concerns on issues ranging from the affordability of premiums to rising healthcare costs to support for asset-rich but cash-poor individuals.
Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) said there must be careful oversight of the use of advanced and costly therapies, so as to manage the rise in premiums for all policyholders.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang), Ms Jessica Tan (East Coast GRC) and Mr Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) also raised questions about the means-testing criteria and whether policyholders who miss payments risk losing their MediShield Life coverage, to which Madam Rahayu gave the assurance that no one will lose their MediShield Life coverage because of an inability to pay.
Why it matters:
The changes are intended to help the MediShield scheme stay ahead of changes to the provision of healthcare, so it is flexible enough to cover newer care models.
They also aim to ensure that the scheme is not misused.
Madam Rahayu noted that while MOH has measures to facilitate the payment of premiums, around 1 per cent of policyholders who can afford their premiums choose not to pay them and become defaulters.
If their premiums are left unrecovered, the debts will have to be shouldered by other policyholders in the form of higher premiums, she said.
She added that the Government will continue to work with the MediShield Life Council to review the scheme regularly to ensure that it remains a source of assurance for large healthcare bills and that its premiums remain affordable for all Singaporeans.
READ MORE HERE: Affordability a key point raised by MPs during debate on MediShield Life scheme
If you have a few more minutes
Backup system failed in Singtel outage on Oct 8
An islandwide disruption to Singtel’s fixed-line voice service on Oct 8 was caused by a backup system failing to kick in, said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary.
During the outage, calls to the police, paramedics, fire department and other public lines were cut off.
Dr Janil said preliminary investigations showed that a technical issue led to a disruption in one of two systems that support the service. While one system was designed to take the full load of the other system in case of a malfunction, this did not happen seamlessly.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling also weighed in, saying there was no public feedback about the Singapore Civil Defence Force or police failing to respond to any urgent or life-threatening incident as a result of the disruption.
Dr Janil said that the Infocomm Media Development Authority takes a serious view of the outage. Investigations into the incident, as well as the adequacy of Singtel’s response, are being carried out.
Renewal of Bukit Panjang LRT on track
The 25-year-old Bukit Panjang LRT, which has a long history of reliability issues, is in the midst of a multi-year asset renewal programme to improve the reliability of its operations.
Its most recent breakdown, on Oct 22, was due to a gear failure in one of its wheel assemblies.
The Bukit Panjang LRT renewal programme is set to be completed in 2026.
In a Nov 11 update, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the Land Transport Authority aims to resume the Bukit Panjang LRT’s weekday dual-loop services in the coming months. These services have fully resumed on weekends and public holidays since Sept 28.
New third-generation vehicles are being brought in to replace first-generation ones, while second-generation vehicles are being upgraded.
Improvements and upgrades are also being made to the power supply system, operations control centre and power rails.
Mr Chee said the upgrading of the signalling system, and the introduction of new and upgraded trains, may allow trains to be run more frequently, which would in turn ramp up capacity to better serve residents.
