TR EMERITUS

I express my views as a lay person and a concerned citizen.

I refer to the proposed bill that will allow the police to search without warrant and to conduct forensic examinations.

I want to state categorically that I have the highest regard for our Singapore Police albeit their Little India riot fiasco and although they are an under strength force, their professionalism, competence and purpose have always impressed me and every time when news of drug traffickers and/or smugglers being nabbed or crimes successfully solved, they always invigorate me, however, I have big reservation about the latest proposed bill.

I am forever mindful that at the end of the day, the police like everybody else are human beings and totally capable of turning bent and vulnerable to human frailties.
Just like past performance is no guarantee of future performances, the current good performances and professionalism of our police force is no guarantee of their future performances.

I ask what if they turn bad and abuse the wide ranging powers vested in them? Our judiciary is not a 'difficult' judiciary that oftentimes deny the police the necessary search warrant to enable them to carry out their work and in this digital age, application for a search warrant could be even further expedited. I consider the application for a police search warrant to be a crucial step that really shouldn't be bypassed, dispensed or dismissed.

In this new proposed bill and despite all the clever arguments put forth, one key and fundamental element is sorely missing and that is the safeguard against its abuse.
In conclusion, power is nothing without control.

Think.

Simon Lim

5 Responses to “More powers for the police”