NCJ Number
58458
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF SEVERAL SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN RESPONDING TO FIVE GENERAL TYPES OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRIMES IS ANALYZED IN THIS STATISTICAL STUDY OF DATA FROM 1973 THROUGH 1977.
Abstract
THE POLICE HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED A ROLE IN RESPONDING TO MOST COMMERCIAL CRIMES, BUT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, AND MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT ARE ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME OFFENSES. AS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTER, SINGAPORE OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJOR CRIME. THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE INCREASED OVERALL CASE LOAD OF THE COMMERICAL CRIME DIVISION OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION FROM 938 IN 1975 TO 1045 IN 1977. MAJOR COMPLEX FRAUD CASES ARE INCREASING. THIS INCREASE WILL REQUIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELL-TRAINED INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS. WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXPANDED PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, THE COUNTRY'S RAPID INDUSTRIALIZATION HAS RESULTED IN POLLUTION PROBLEMS. THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE LED TO THE CREATION OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT IN 1972. THE ROLE HAS BEEN EXPANDED BY ADDITIONAL LAWS, AND THE GROWTH IN ITS CASE LOAD IS EVIDENT IN STATISTICS WHICH SHOW 12,790 CASES IN 1973, 23,689 IN 1975, AND 13,844 IN 1976. REVENUE OFFENSES ARE HANDLED BY THE ANTI-EVASION SECTION OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT. THEIR CASELOAD HAS FLUCTUATED FROM 1973 THROUGH 1977. THE ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTION, SPECIAL, AND SPECIAL DUTIES BRANCHES OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE CUSTOMS ACT. IN 1975, CUSTOMS PROSECUTED 66 INDIVIDUALS AND IN 1977, THE NUMBER INCREASED TO 102. NO SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF THE EXCHANGE CONTROL ACT HAVE OCCURED FROM 1967 THROUGH 1977 BECAUSE OF THE STRINGENT SUPERVISION OF BANKING ACTIVITIES BY THE MONETARY AUTHORITY. THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE CORRUPT PRACTICES INVESTIGATION BUREAU UNDER THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP),