The mission of MHA is to make Singapore a safe and secure best home for our people. A total budget of $2,311 million has been allocated to MHA in FY2005 to achieve this mission. Guided by Ministry Headquarters, the functions of preserving internal security, enforcing law and order, and protecting lives and property are carried out by six departments. They are the Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the Prisons Department, the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Singapore Police Force

$103 million to develop the new Law Enforcement Academy to address the training needs of the Home Team officers. This new facility will be equipped with advanced Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and modern training technology such as Firearm Training Simulator and computer based training to equip Home Team officers to deal with the demands of the rapidly changing security environment.

$32 million to relocate the Police Coast Guard Headquarters from Kallang Basin to Brani to enhance Police Coast Guard’s maritime response capabilities, coverage and operations from the southern shoreline of Singapore during peacetime and emergency.

$26 million to enhance the level of safety and security in a post 9-11 operating environment. Patrols are enhanced to maintain order and keep peace amid the heightened state of alert. Additional officers are also deployed at land and sea checkpoints to prevent the infiltration of undesirable persons.

$19 million for the building and infrastructure enhancement in support of the Gurkha Contingent.

$10 million to procure the Police Tactical Troop vehicles to enhance Police’s operational capabilities in dealing with emerging public order and security threats.

Singapore Civil Defence Force

$38.5 million for the construction of 11 new Civil Defence public shelters in the Circle Line MRT stations, as well as for the maintenance of existing public shelters around Singapore.

$40.3 million to redevelop the 4 Division Headquarters, Fire Stations and the Basic Rescue Training Centre to enhance response and operational capabilities and improve training facilities.

Prisons Department

$61.2 million for the redevelopment of Changi Prison Complex (CPC). This would address the problems and risks posed by overcrowding in existing institutions, optimise the use of manpower through the re-engineering of work processes, enable a quicker response in crisis situations and release several pieces of land parcels currently occupied by various Prisons institutions for redevelopment.

$9 million to fund the Halfway Houses (HWH) scheme. The HWH scheme is for inmates with existing drug addiction problems or drug antecedents. The structured programme at the HWH helps inmates recover from drug addiction. Inmates selected for this scheme are emplaced in the HWH during the last 6 to 12 months of their sentence or detention period.

$7.3 million to fund the Expanded Home Detention scheme. Under the Expanded Home Detention scheme, suitable inmates are allowed to serve the tail end of their sentence in the precinct of their residence. These inmates would then be tagged with an electronic monitoring device to ensure that they observe curfew conditions imposed on them. In addition, counselling sessions are conducted to help them deal with recovery issues towards successful reintegration with their families, friends and the community.

$2.1 million for funding of the Yellow Ribbon project to enhance the reintegration of ex-offenders with the community. A series of activities would be organised to create awareness on giving second chances to ex-offenders, generate acceptance of ex-offenders and their families into the community and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders. This project would create societal acceptance of ex-offenders, thereby creating a more tolerant and attractive society to live in.

Central Narcotics Bureau

$15 million to enhance intelligence gathering and enforcement at the various checkpoints.

$3 million to carry out preventive education activities.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

$203 million to maintain border security through administering and ensuring that the movement of people, goods and conveyances passing through checkpoints are legitimate and lawful. These include stepping up of secondary checks and enhancing checkpoint capabilities, with the deployment of specialised equipment to detect illegal immigrants and undesirable cargo and conveyances. An example is the development of the ‘Biometrics Identification of Motorbikes System’, which involves the use of biometric technology such as iris scanning or cardless fingerprint to screen motorcyclists at checkpoints. This system will leverage on biometrics technology to ensure accurate identification of travellers. In addition, the amount will be used to step up enforcement efforts via biometric technology to curtail immigration offender problems.

$90 million to facilitate the provision of immigration and registration facilities, such as issuance of travel and identification documents, birth or death registration, as well as the processing and granting of Permanent Residence and Citizenship status. The amount will also be used for the development of the ‘Biometrics Passport System’ to enhance the security features of current Singapore International Passports.