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Risk Investigation:
Economy, Politics, Health, Environment and Crime
Economic Information
Dedicated to free-market principles, and with its first class infrastructure and skilled labor force, Singapore is hailed by many as the "Geneva of Asia". A major center of business and commerce, Singapore's main industries are electronics, banking, shipping, shipbuilding and ship repair, tourism and petroleum refining, petrochemicals and machinery.
It is dependent on international trade, sale of services and export of manufactures, and its major trading partners are Malaysia, USA and Japan. Singapore is ranking among the top places in the world to do Business. It ranks second best for ease of doing business and established entrepreneurs find it easy to raise fund for their business. It also ranks second in being the freest economy in a study of 161 countries of the Wall Street Journal. When it comes to business cost Singapore beats the G-7 nations and cost are 22% below the US.
Photo:Cityscoops Media
For more business information visit our sister website www.entersingaporebusiness.info.
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Political Information
The Republic of Singapore has a parliamentary system with a written constitution modeled after the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy and a British influenced judiciary.
The People's Action Party (PAP) has won every election since 1959. Since 1990, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has run the government. The president is the ceremonial head of state.
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Laws/ Crime and Sentencing
Crime Rate
According to statistics and in comparison to the rest of the world, Singapore has a very low crime rate with property offences leading the list.
| Disclaimer The following legal information cannot replace the advice of a qualified lawyer who knows the full details of your particular legal situation. enterAsia Information Services Pte Ltd is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage which you may suffer as a result of using such information. |
Singapore has very strict laws and foreigners need to make themselves familiar with their responsibilities. Consequences of breaking laws due to lack of knowledge can be tough as the Government treats its foreign residents no differently than locals when it comes to punishment.
The death penalty and caning are existing penalties and intervention by foreign governments on behalf of convicted foreigners is seen as interference.
It is very important to constantly update one's knowledge of Singapore laws as to avoid accidental violations and we suggest you make yourself familiar with the Penal Code.
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You are always required to provide information to a police officer if requested. The police may stop and question you anytime and you must be able to explain the reason of your presence in any location. If the police suspect you and a group of five or more gathering with the intention to commit a crime, this could be an offence under the law of unlawful assembly.Distributing fireworks will be punished with jail and caning.
Singapore has one of the toughest anti-drug regimes (Misuse of Drugs Act) in the world. Do not use, offer, sell, give, administer, transport, deliver or distribute any type of drugs.. If you are depending on illegal drugs such as listed below do not enter Singapore at all. Only recently a number of expatriates were sent to jail for possessing illegal substances.
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Prescription Drugs
Ordering medical drugs from a foreign web site may land you in jail. Check with customs before ordering. If you carry prescription depressants while entering or leaving the country check The Presumption Clause under Section 17 for illegal substances and make sure you can show a medical certificate from your doctor stating that the drugs are for your own use .
Drug Test
It is a criminal offense to refuse a police request for a drug test. A positive test deems drug possession even if the drugs have been ingested outside Singapore.
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If teenagers in Singapore show false identification to enter discos and clubs limited to those over 18/21 years old or to purchase alcohol a court hearing can land them in jail.
Singapore has very strict laws against littering with heavy fines and corrective work for repeat offenders. Never dispose anything to any other place than a litter box - this includes cigarette butts!
Also, because of the nuisance and clean up costs on the Mass Rapid Transit system and elsewhere, importation and sale has restricted import permission.
When caught consuming gum at MRT stations or on trains you may be fined up to S$ 500. Dropping larger items such as newspapers or drink cans may be fined up to S$ 1,000 or issued a CWO (Community Work Order) of up to 12 hours or both. While first time offenders pay between SGD 200 and 1,000 The fine for repeat offenders may be up to SGD 5,000!
Photo:enterAsiaArt
There is a maximum fine of SGD 2,000 under the Housing and Development Act for so-called "killer litter" - objects placed on the ledges of windows and balconies in a manner that may endanger the safety of others. Supervise your maid!
See also penalties for Drink and Drive
See: Same Sex Partners and read Section 377 of the Penal Code.
Obscene articles, publications, videotapes, disks and software are considered illegal. There are many Western magazines and books rated pornographic.
For information you may contact:
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Under the age of 18, you are not allowed to carry and purchase lit or unlit cigarettes in public. Fine S$ 2,000
Smoking is not allowed in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices, and in air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centers, bus shelters, interchanges, public pools, toilets, community clubs and open-air stadiums.
The ban will be extended to pubs, discos, hawker centers and coffee shops soon. Fine S$ 1,000
Photo:enterAsiaArt
When you travel to/from Malaysia be aware that customs laws can be quite strict! Do not import illegal pirated VCD's or DVD, videos and other items prohibited under Singaporean law. There are also restrictions on the amount of food you are allowed to bring back. Smuggling cigarettes carries a maximum penalty of three years jail for a first-time offender!
Food: if you buy certain food in Malaysia you may not be able to import it to Singapore. There are containers at Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints to dispose of banned food items before entry. Poultry and eggs may be also prohibited due to the Avian Flu. If you are not sure, call the phone number below or check the website.
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Petrol Rule: Before leaving Singapore by car , you need to fill up your gasoline tank to at least three-fourths full or face a large fine. When crossing the border in and out of Malaysia, double check that your passports are stamped.
Health Hazards
Surveys amongst 1000 expatriates working in 12 Asian countries and territories Singapore about the quality of life scored highest amongst Asian countries, however behind the US, UK and Australia in their confidence in the country's medical system and its ability to treat major illnesses. However, the outbreak of the Bird Flu a and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cause great concern amongst expatriates in the process of relocating to Singapore.
We recommend you visit the web sites below and those mentioned in our chapter Emergency Information and Health to inform yourself about the current situation.
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Singapore is very hot and humid, and with this climate one can easily become dehydrated. Given this it is important to drink plenty of fluids especially if involved in outdoor activities. It is good to have at least 8 glasses of water daily. Always have a water bottle with you for children as they are at particular risk.
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Colds and Flu |
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Heat Exhaustion |
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Sunburn |
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Skin Diseases |
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Fungal Infections |
| One of the other problems with heat and humidity is a slower healing time for cuts/scratches and bites. Cold and flu symptoms tend to hang on longer and general fatigue can be a common problem. | |
Other common problems are Ear, Eye and Fungal infections (often due to the length of time spent in the swimming pool!). Showering often and using a mild disinfectant soap may help diminish these problems.
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Diarrhea as food spoils quickly |
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Food allergies to Asian ingredients (e.g. MSG/Ajinomoto) |
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Kidney Stones due to lack of adequate water intake |
Generally eating/drinking in Singapore is free of the usual risks that are associated with life in Asia, however there are a few important things to be aware of.
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Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) |
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Additive to a number of foods here as flavour enhancer. |
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Ingestion can produce symptoms such as aches, pains, pins and needles, headache and tingling, for sensitive persons. Treat by drinking plenty of water. |
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Beef is generally imported from Australia and New Zealand |
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The water supply mainly comes from Malaysia for treatment in Singapore, and is fluorinated and high quality and suitable for drinking. |
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About prevention of mosquito bites see a video (below website) on "Action against the Aedes Mosquito". View "Which preventive measures have to be taken within your condominium or estate to prevent mosquitoes".
Note: the National Environment Agency states that the pesticide primiphos-methyl - a substance precluded in the US - is used only selectively in Singapore's vector control work and in accordance with recommended dosage.
Dengue fever is present in Singapore. It is a viral infection, spread by Aedes mosquito, a day time biter common in urban areas (see later for more detail). There is no treatment or vaccine, and the disease can be serious. Prevention by mosquito avoidance measures is the most effective action e.g. RID (insect repellent), PERMETHRIN natural insecticide, and mosquito nets. Also, get rid of stagnant water around the home (e.g vases), and note that the risk is higher with a house and garden.
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Snakebites are rare in Singapore. For prevention see e-relocation Singapore Step 6 Snake Bites. Arrange home search with Knight Frank to qualify for access to e-relocation Singapore. Stings from ants, wasps, spiders, beetles, centipedes and scorpions occur. See section Health for more information.
Without preventive measures, the risk is generally high in SE Asia.
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Chicken Pox |
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Polio |
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Typhoid |
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Diphtheria |
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Tetanus |
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Hepatitis A and B |
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Measles Mumps Rubella |
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Rabies |
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Yearly vaccination for influenza A and B |
Environment
Pollution
Based on World Bank and International Energy Agency Data on carbon emissions, water pollution, commercial energy use and industrial output Singapore ranks 8th amongst 36 countries according to the GIN-DEX.
In a survey published by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy several years ago Singapore ranked top amongst the 12 Asian territories China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korean, Taiwan, Thailand and Taiwan.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
It also topped the list in managing the environment, i.e. traffic congestion, air pollution, ranked third for water pollution and came in second for noise pollution.
Refuse is disposed daily, wastewater is collected, treated and recycled. The National Recycling Program provides residents with recycling bags, bins or crates for their waste paper, old clothes and plastic and glass items which are picked up fortnightly by recycling companies registered, licensed and monitored by the government to cover the city' s 22 precincts. Private condominium estates have their own waste collectors and are left out of the programmer. See chapter Services for information on Recycling
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Air Quality
Air Quality is within the limits set by the World Health Organization and comparable to the cleanest cities in the world. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) you can call Tel: 6542 7788 . In 2004 Singapore had 88 per cent of "good" days when the PSI was within the good range.
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| Noise rules effective for constructions and for distances less than 150 m from residential areas: | |
| Between 7pm and 7am | No Piling, blasting, demolition and concreting works |
| Between 7pm and 10pm | Operating cranes, unloading/loading, and quiet works like painting, plastering allowed |
Water Quality
Water is potable and contains fluoride. According to the WHO, the quality is comparable to the best cities in the world.
Natural Disasters
There are no natural disasters in Singapore. Some minor shock waves may be experienced in the North due to earthquakes in Indonesia.
See Emergency Information.
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Lightning
Be aware that Singapore has one of the highest rates of lightning activity in the world and on average there are 171 days recorded, when thunder is heard. When you are in a low area during a thunderstorm, take refuge in a low area or shelter in a house or car and head for the shore when in open water and exit the pool. Note also that lightning sometimes can strike the same spot twice.
Also note the risks involved for your computers which are very vulnerable during a thunderstorm as there a four routes through which so-called induced lightning surges can travel and cripple the computer. 40% of computer breakdowns are the direct result of induced lightning surge and you are well advised to unplug all the lines and cables during a thunderstorm or use extension cords with circuit breakers and lightning arresters to minimise the risks.
Web Sites
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