(Wednesday, November 17, 2010 / 12:03 AM)
Title: MHA to review gangs, youth violence laws
SINGAPORE: The government is considering if laws need to be tweaked to give more police power and sentencing options to deal with gangs and youth violence.
This came in the wake of the recent Downtown East murder and armed rioting at Bukit Panjang.
Minister of State for Education and Home Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, said the review would take between six and nine months.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Mr Masagos said the upcoming review is aimed at clamping down the threat of street gangs.
Beyond sentencing options and police powers, the review will also look at the powers other institutions need to ensure street gangs do not take root in the society.
Mr Masagos also stressed that the government, schools and parents need to work together to help the youth-at-risk.
He cautioned against over-using legislation and oversimplifying the solution to the recent problems, which are multi-faceted and need customised solutions.
He said: "The existing legislation framework is actually sufficient, but we also have to be forward looking - to look at the kind of trends our youth go through, the environment they live in.
"And we have to ensure that these are all cogent in addressing the issues, so that relevant laws can be put into play to address the issues."
Mr Masagos said there are programmes currently available to help youth-at-risk such as school dropouts.
But the message that must be sent out is that while these programmes give them many chances, the law will come down hard on those who cross the line.
Sherrin Chua, assistant director of Community Involvement, Singapore Police Force, said: "In the coming school holidays, the police will be intensifying our checks at the youth congregation hotspots.
"We wish to reiterate that the police do not condone any acts of violence. And those who disregard the law, regardless of their age, will be dealt with accordingly."
The authorities also urge parents to call the police hotline at 1800-225-000, if they suspect their children are involved in secret society activities.
-CNA/wk/al
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HAFIZAH:...Since last month, we were shocked with the numerous articles about youths getting into trouble for no good reasons, innocent ones were slashed and seriously injured themselves. After one tragic incident about a youth who was killed after been attacked at Downtown East, soon there was another similar incident happened at Bukit Panjang and just today, I read about a 18 year old girl who was accused of having a chopper knife in her bag. Then first question I asked myself after reading those article was, “why?!”.
...In my opinion, youths nowsdays think that joining an illegal gang,getting into fights and doing other dangerous activities are cool and and it is something to be proud of. I think they are very wrong. Seriously, they did not think of the consequences before doing anything stupid and useless. They should realise that when doing something dangerous and then get caught by the police, they will not only get themselves into trouble but also hurt their loved ones.
...I think it is because the youths are having their school holidays so they decided to do something that could kill their time. They should find some part-time work instead. Still, it is good to know that the government are taking actions and decided to be strict with these kind of situations. But not only the government,the parents and even the school should help out too. For school, they should have more talks on avoiding crimes and also to maintain self disciplines. For parents, they should keep an eye on their children and make sure they do not mix around with the bad companies. Have a slow talk with their children and find out more about their life.
ALLYSON:...After reading this article, I am glad to know that action is taken to attempt to reduce gangs and youth violence. Following the two incidents, the society became more aware of gangs and youth violence around. This is good as they can be more alert and take more precautions to avoid situations like those.
...I agree with Mr Masagos that the government, schools and parents need to work together to help the youth-at-risk as these three factors play a huge and important role in the lives of youths. They can influence change mindsets of youths. They can even be role models for some of them. When addressing them about important issues like these, we must be sure not to offend them in any way and lose their support.
...Even though given the hotline from the police, some parents may still not dare to call as they are afraid of their children and what they might do to them if they find out. Whereas some parents might not also call as they have take pride in themselves and do not want others to look down on them if they find out. They do not want others to think that they are lousy parents and they do not know how to take care and control their children properly. However, if they really and genuinely care for their children, they should do the right thing and call.
RICHGINIA:...After reading the article, I feel that the government should tweak the laws to give more police power and sentencing options to deal with gangs and youth violence. Most of us should be aware of the gang fights going on lately that have cause harm to innocent people and fear in most of us. After reading most of the articles with regards to gang fights, I fear that I, my friends or my family members will be the next target of the gang. I will also think twice whether I should go out this few days. This causes a fear in me because the gang members will not care whether you are from a gang or not, they will just slash you when they have targeted you.
...Hence, I feel that the government should do something to clam those who are in fear. I find that by tweak the laws will definitely help. When there is more police power to patrol the neighbourhoods, the gang members will not easily commit their act. This will also add on the security of the residents. When the laws are tightening, the gang members will think twice before they act and this give them a chance to turn back.
...I feel that parents and schools also play an important role in dealing with gangs and youth violence. Parents can look out for their child’s unusual behaviour and ask police for help if they needed to. This can prevent their child from going deeper into joining gangs and show that their parents care for them. Schools can look out for suspicious people that loiter around the school to prevents those people from recruiting students to join gangs.
...In conclusion, I feel that the government should tweak the laws to give more police power and sentencing options to deal with gangs and youth violence. Parents and schools should also play their part in preventing the younger generations from joining gangs. This will helps to prevent out peaceful life in Singapore from becoming a disaster where by killings happens every now and then.
LEONARD:...Recently, there were so many cases of teenagers getting into gang fights. First was the Downtown East incident and followed by the Bukit Panjang incident. Both these incidents resulted in a death of a 19-year old student and 7 others injured. These groups of teenagers do things without thinking of the consequences. There groups of teenagers just go round slashing innocent people without a reason. Seriously, what’s wrong with them?
...With this group of reckless teenagers, it’s no longer safe to stay out late at night. So my advice is to stay at home after 11P.M to avoid being the next victim. I agree with what Mr Masagos said” the government, schools and parents need to work together to help the youth-at-risk.” The police force can increase the number of police patrolling the neighbourhood. Schools should monitor the students’ attendance and conduct closely. Keep a close eye on those who misbehave and skip lessons. Parents can impose curfew on their children.
...So to conclude, I hope the number of teenagers getting into gang fights will decrease. The police and Secret Societies Branch should continue to hunt those merciless teenagers so as to prevent more innocent people of getting killed and slashed.
TECK JIE:...Through this article, I felt that the teenagers nowadays like to act without thinking twice I think this is a serious problem as things might become more difficult to handle if this trend continue.
...However, we could still do something before this similar kind of cases continues, such as government should sent more police to patrol around the neighborhood so as to prevent a group of teenagers more than five to hang around and start to doing something that terrified the innocent people life. Secondly, schools should start to enforce more on student discipline so that when they grew up they would not do harm to the society. Lastly, regarding the latest slashing incident, government should enforce more on the law by giving these five young men a sentence of death so that similar kind of cases would not be happening in the future.
...In conclusion, we need to think twice before we do anything. Sometime, things may look like you are on the upper hand now, but things may actually be both parties are in the losing end, therefore before I end, I would like to reinforce my statement that we should think twice before we act.
