Singapore Law Blog

Amendments to the Singapore Armed Forces Act were tabled in Parliament on 9 April 2007. The proposed amendments will give the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) more autonomy and legal powers to conduct security operations in support of civilian authorities within Singapore. The amendments specify the particular circumstances under which the SAF will be activated to support the conduct of security operations, and the selected legal powers that can be exercised by SAF servicemen.

Proposed Amendments cover the following:

Air and Sea Operations
The Minister for Defence will be empowered to authorise the SAF to take part in air and sea security operations that are under the purview of MINDEF. Some of the operations include anti-piracy and counter-terrorist operations both at sea and in the air, and the detection and prevention of aerial and maritime threats to Singapore.

Minister's Specific Empowerment required for Land Operations
If a need arises and in consultation with a committee appointed by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence can order the SAF to assist civilian authorities in conducting land operations for a specific event and/or in protection of key installations.

Powers within vicinity of protected places and areas
The Minister for Defence will also be given the power to authorise SAF servicemen to exercise selected legal powers in the immediate vicinity of any SAF property for protecting personnel and property within.

Regulation of powers exercisable by servicemen
SAF personnel can only exercise the legal provisions and use the selected legal powers when they are on duty in security operations or when they are acting under the Minister's authorisation. These powers include selected legal powers of arrest, search and seizure and traffic control, and powers to stop, detain, search and control the movements of suspected vessel and aircraft in Singapore or elsewhere, and if necessary, to use reasonable force.