Shanmugam says authorities will investigate returning residents who act irresponsibly
By Tee Zhuo, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
Those caught flouting rules under the stay-home notice will be charged in court, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam warned in Parliament yesterday.
Citing reports of returning residents who acted irresponsibly by heading out to social gatherings, Mr Shanmugam said the authorities will investigate such cases.
"We cannot allow such behaviour. So, I have given very clear instructions, where these cases are verified to be true, we will charge in court," he said in his reply to Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC).
In sounding this warning, the minister brought up anecdotes of recent returnees from the United Kingdom heading out to parties, bars, clubs and other social gatherings while they were under the stay-home notice.
He also highlighted a report of a Singaporean returning from Myanmar who was issued with the notice, and subsequently posted about going out for bak kut teh on his Facebook page.
The 14-day stay-home notice first kicked in at 11.59pm on Feb 18 for Singaporeans and residents returning from select locations, and was progressively expanded as the coronavirus situation evolved.
Those served the notice are not allowed to leave their homes, and should avoid visitors and monitor their health closely.
From 11.59pm last Friday, 20 March, the notice was extended to those returning from all countries and regions.
"There is a wider duty that each of us owes to control the spread of COVID-19, and really not to endanger others and expose them to infection," said Mr Shanmugam.
The Health Ministry will use new regulations under the Infectious Diseases Act to enforce stay-home notices, he added. First-time offenders can be jailed up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both.
Mr Shanmugam also said people who are required to declare their travel history must do so honestly or face severe penalties.
He raised as an example an alleged case of a man who had developed respiratory symptoms after a holiday in Italy.
The man was said to have hidden his symptoms and travel history in order to return to Singapore, where he was later found to have COVID-19.
"If this is true, the conduct is highly irresponsible," said Mr Shanmugam, noting that the individual would have done so knowing he was endangering others.
He should have instead declared his symptoms so he could be separated from other passengers, the minister added.
Those who lie in order to avoid the stay-home notice can be fined and jailed up to two years under the Penal Code, or jailed up to a year and fined up to $4,000, or both, under the Immigration Act.
He called on members of the public to report any information on those who flout rules under the stay-home notice to the police, who will then follow up on the cases and take action.
But Mr Shanmugam said strict regulation and strong enforcement is not enough if people continue to insist on being irresponsible.
"All Singaporeans have to do our part, exercise social responsibility, protect ourselves, friends, family, fellow citizens," he said. The vast majority of Singaporeans are responsible and have come together and acted admirably, he added.
"But there will always be a few who are irresponsible in every society, and they risk undoing our efforts and put other people's lives at risk."
By Tee Zhuo, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
Citing reports of returning residents who acted irresponsibly by heading out to social gatherings, Mr Shanmugam said the authorities will investigate such cases.
"We cannot allow such behaviour. So, I have given very clear instructions, where these cases are verified to be true, we will charge in court," he said in his reply to Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC).
In sounding this warning, the minister brought up anecdotes of recent returnees from the United Kingdom heading out to parties, bars, clubs and other social gatherings while they were under the stay-home notice.
He also highlighted a report of a Singaporean returning from Myanmar who was issued with the notice, and subsequently posted about going out for bak kut teh on his Facebook page.
The 14-day stay-home notice first kicked in at 11.59pm on Feb 18 for Singaporeans and residents returning from select locations, and was progressively expanded as the coronavirus situation evolved.
Those served the notice are not allowed to leave their homes, and should avoid visitors and monitor their health closely.
From 11.59pm last Friday, 20 March, the notice was extended to those returning from all countries and regions.
"There is a wider duty that each of us owes to control the spread of COVID-19, and really not to endanger others and expose them to infection," said Mr Shanmugam.
The Health Ministry will use new regulations under the Infectious Diseases Act to enforce stay-home notices, he added. First-time offenders can be jailed up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both.
Mr Shanmugam also said people who are required to declare their travel history must do so honestly or face severe penalties.
He raised as an example an alleged case of a man who had developed respiratory symptoms after a holiday in Italy.
The man was said to have hidden his symptoms and travel history in order to return to Singapore, where he was later found to have COVID-19.
"If this is true, the conduct is highly irresponsible," said Mr Shanmugam, noting that the individual would have done so knowing he was endangering others.
He should have instead declared his symptoms so he could be separated from other passengers, the minister added.
Those who lie in order to avoid the stay-home notice can be fined and jailed up to two years under the Penal Code, or jailed up to a year and fined up to $4,000, or both, under the Immigration Act.
He called on members of the public to report any information on those who flout rules under the stay-home notice to the police, who will then follow up on the cases and take action.
But Mr Shanmugam said strict regulation and strong enforcement is not enough if people continue to insist on being irresponsible.
"All Singaporeans have to do our part, exercise social responsibility, protect ourselves, friends, family, fellow citizens," he said. The vast majority of Singaporeans are responsible and have come together and acted admirably, he added.
"But there will always be a few who are irresponsible in every society, and they risk undoing our efforts and put other people's lives at risk."
Man who allegedly breached stay-home notice for bak kut teh likely to be charged
By Cara Wong, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
The man who allegedly breached his stay-home notice (SHN) conditions to have bak kut teh will likely be charged.
Responding queries from The Straits Times, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said it has, together with the Ministry of Health, consulted the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on the matter. The AGC has indicated that it is likely to charge the man.
Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam had highlighted a Facebook post by the man, Mr Alan Tham, 33. He had posted on social media photos of his bak kut teh meal while he was supposed to be at home serving his 14-day notice.
Mr Shanmugam said he had asked for the case to be investigated, and added that stern action will be taken against those who breach such notices, which are issued to all travellers returning from abroad since March 20.
Those issued SHN must remain in their residences at all times from the day they return, and are not allowed visitors. They are not allowed to go out, even if it is to purchase daily necessities.
Mr Tham had said he thought the 14-day notice started the day after he returned from a three-day holiday to Myanmar.
Others who have got into trouble for allegedly flouting the stay-home notice include film producer Mike Wiluan, a permanent resident.
Upon his return to Singapore from the United States on March 20, Mr Wiluan did not declare a recent trip to Indonesia, which would have subjected him to the stay-home notice.
The authorities subsequently found out that he had flown to Singapore from Jakarta on March 7, a day before his flight to Los Angeles. Mr Wiluan was then issued an SHN. The authorities also shortened the validity of his re-entry permit.
It is not clear if further action will be taken against him.
Those found guilty of breaching the stay-home notice can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to six months. Pass holders may have their passes revoked or the validity shortened.
Singaporean who breached COVID-19 stay-home notice for bak kut teh: 'I thought it started the next day'
By Tan Tam Mei, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
He thought he had one last day of freedom before being holed up at home for two weeks to serve a stay-home notice. But his craving for bak kut teh led to a minister issuing a stern warning in Parliament yesterday.
Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam warned that stern action will be taken against those who breach stay-home notices. He highlighted a post by one such culprit who allegedly left home to eat bak kut teh.
"I have asked for that case to be investigated. We are trying to verify some of these messages on stay-home notices being flouted and if any member of the public has information about such behaviour, please give it to the police. We will follow up, and we cannot allow such behaviour," he said.
When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Alan Tham, 33, who works in the security industry, said he knew he had to serve a 14-day stay-home notice after returning on Monday from a three-day holiday to Myanmar.
But he misunderstood it as starting only the day after touching down, based on what an airport official had told him.
After he had landed at Changi Airport, he dropped his bags at home and went for dinner and to buy groceries. He took a bus, wore a mask and was out for less than an hour.
Mr Tham, who is also a freelance photographer, had posted on Facebook that same night about his return to Singapore and his bak kut teh meal. He drew flak from netizens for breaching stay-home notice conditions.
Since last Friday, all travellers, including Singapore residents, entering the country have been issued 14-day stay-home notices.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said it had investigated Mr Tham's case and warned him not to breach the conditions of the notice again. It said the notice clearly states that it begins the day a traveller returns.
People on stay-home notice should remain in their place of residence at all times and are not allowed to have visitors. They should not go out even to buy daily necessities. Anyone who breaches a stay-home notice faces a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
By Tan Tam Mei, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
He thought he had one last day of freedom before being holed up at home for two weeks to serve a stay-home notice. But his craving for bak kut teh led to a minister issuing a stern warning in Parliament yesterday.
Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam warned that stern action will be taken against those who breach stay-home notices. He highlighted a post by one such culprit who allegedly left home to eat bak kut teh.
"I have asked for that case to be investigated. We are trying to verify some of these messages on stay-home notices being flouted and if any member of the public has information about such behaviour, please give it to the police. We will follow up, and we cannot allow such behaviour," he said.
When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Alan Tham, 33, who works in the security industry, said he knew he had to serve a 14-day stay-home notice after returning on Monday from a three-day holiday to Myanmar.
But he misunderstood it as starting only the day after touching down, based on what an airport official had told him.
After he had landed at Changi Airport, he dropped his bags at home and went for dinner and to buy groceries. He took a bus, wore a mask and was out for less than an hour.
Mr Tham, who is also a freelance photographer, had posted on Facebook that same night about his return to Singapore and his bak kut teh meal. He drew flak from netizens for breaching stay-home notice conditions.
Since last Friday, all travellers, including Singapore residents, entering the country have been issued 14-day stay-home notices.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said it had investigated Mr Tham's case and warned him not to breach the conditions of the notice again. It said the notice clearly states that it begins the day a traveller returns.
People on stay-home notice should remain in their place of residence at all times and are not allowed to have visitors. They should not go out even to buy daily necessities. Anyone who breaches a stay-home notice faces a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Crazy Rich Asians co-producer Mike Wiluan placed on SHN, has re-entry permit shortened, after not declaring full travel history
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
Film producer Mike Wiluan, CEO of Infinite Studios, has been placed on a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) and had the validity of his re-entry permit shortened after he failed to fully declare his travel history upon returning to Singapore.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said yesterday that when Mr Wiluan, a Singapore permanent resident, returned from the United States on March 20, he did not declare that he had also recently travelled to Indonesia - which would have subjected him to stay-home notice requirements.
The authority subsequently detected that Mr Wiluan had travelled to Batam on Feb 25 and returned to Singapore on March 7 by flying from Jakarta. He departed for Los Angeles a day later and returned after 12 days.
ICA said that Mr Wiluan failed to accurately declare his travel history even though he would have seen the health alert notices, with the affected countries listed, to remind travellers to identify themselves at immigration counters if they had gone to these countries in the last 14 days.
On Monday, ICA officers went to Mr Wiluan's house and issued him the SHN for a 14-day period from March 20 to April 3.
When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Wiluan, 43, said: "This is news to me as ICA has already spoken with me and I am serving my notice. I cannot comment any further as I seek clarification."
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2020
Film producer Mike Wiluan, CEO of Infinite Studios, has been placed on a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) and had the validity of his re-entry permit shortened after he failed to fully declare his travel history upon returning to Singapore.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said yesterday that when Mr Wiluan, a Singapore permanent resident, returned from the United States on March 20, he did not declare that he had also recently travelled to Indonesia - which would have subjected him to stay-home notice requirements.
The authority subsequently detected that Mr Wiluan had travelled to Batam on Feb 25 and returned to Singapore on March 7 by flying from Jakarta. He departed for Los Angeles a day later and returned after 12 days.
ICA said that Mr Wiluan failed to accurately declare his travel history even though he would have seen the health alert notices, with the affected countries listed, to remind travellers to identify themselves at immigration counters if they had gone to these countries in the last 14 days.
On Monday, ICA officers went to Mr Wiluan's house and issued him the SHN for a 14-day period from March 20 to April 3.
When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Wiluan, 43, said: "This is news to me as ICA has already spoken with me and I am serving my notice. I cannot comment any further as I seek clarification."
Singapore had imposed SHN requirements on March 16 for travellers who had been to an Asean country. This was expanded to include travellers from anywhere in the world at 11.59pm on March 20.
Mr Wiluan arrived before the broader requirement kicked in.
ICA reminded travellers to submit complete and accurate travel declarations.
Mr Wiluan is a high-profile name in Singapore's film industry.
He was the local co-producer for the film Crazy Rich Asians, and his 2018 film Buffalo Boys was picked as Singapore's submission to the Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.
Additional reporting by John Lui
Mr Wiluan arrived before the broader requirement kicked in.
ICA reminded travellers to submit complete and accurate travel declarations.
Mr Wiluan is a high-profile name in Singapore's film industry.
He was the local co-producer for the film Crazy Rich Asians, and his 2018 film Buffalo Boys was picked as Singapore's submission to the Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.
Additional reporting by John Lui
ICA cancels passport of Singaporean man who flouted stay-home rules
By Tee Zhuo, The Straits Times, 30 Mar 2020
The passport of a Singaporean man who flouted stay-home notice rules has been cancelled, in the first such action taken by the authorities against a citizen.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) yesterday said Mr Goh Illya Victor, 53, travelled from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia, on March 3.
About two weeks later, on March 19, he returned to Singapore via Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and was served with the stay-home notice upon entry. But he went back to Indonesia that same day, despite the notice and warnings from ICA officers that he would breach the notice and could face penalties.
Those under the notice are not allowed to leave their homes for 14 days, or they can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or be jailed for up to six months.
Last Tuesday, he returned to Singapore through the Singapore Cruise Centre and was issued a second notice.
ICA said Mr Goh displayed "irresponsible conduct" in not complying with the first notice and then returning to Singapore on Tuesday.
"In view of the wilful breach, ICA has cancelled his passport and referred the case to the Ministry of Health for investigation," it said in a statement.
This means that Mr Goh, without a valid passport, cannot leave the country. He remains a Singapore citizen.
He is the first citizen against whom ICA has taken such action.
Last month, a 45-year-old permanent resident was barred from re-entering Singapore and lost his residency after breaching stay-home rules.
Another permanent resident, film producer Mike Wiluan, had the validity of his re-entry permit shortened after he failed to declare that he had travelled recently to Indonesia.
All travellers from Asean countries have had to observe the stay-home notice from 11.59pm on March 16.
This was expanded to all countries and regions from March 20, and since Friday, all travellers entering Singapore have had to also submit a health and travel declaration before being cleared for entry.
Members of the public can report information on breaches of the stay-home notice at go.gov.sg/ reportshnbreach or on 6812 -5555.
* Six weeks’ jail for man who breached stay-home notice for bak kut teh
His conduct is socially reprehensible, says judge, who sentences him to six weeks in jail
By Shaffiq Alkhatib, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
A man who breached a stay-home notice (SHN) and went out to eat bak kut teh on March 23 amid the coronavirus outbreak was sentenced yesterday to six weeks in jail.
Alan Tham Xiang Sheng, 34, who pleaded guilty on April 16 to an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act, is the first person to be convicted of exposing others to the risk of infection by breaching an SHN.
Before handing down the sentence yesterday, Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun said Tham's conduct was "socially reprehensible".
Tham, who runs an online sales business, arrived in Singapore from Myanmar on March 23 and was served with an SHN. As part of his notice, the Singaporean was supposed to stay home at all times from then until April 6.
Instead of going straight home to his Woodlands flat, he met his 36-year-old girlfriend at 3.40pm, and the pair went to a foodcourt at Terminal 3 of Changi Airport.
After eating, the woman booked a private-hire car and they went to Peninsula Plaza in North Bridge Road, where Tham visited a money changer. The couple then took another private-hire car and arrived at his home at 6.35pm.
Two hours later, they boarded a public bus for Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre in Woodlands Drive 71, where he had bak kut teh. The court heard that he snapped pictures of the meal and posted them on social media.
After that, the couple went to a nearby FairPrice supermarket, and Tham finally returned home at around 10pm.
On March 25, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority visited Tham as part of an enforcement check, when he told them that he did not proceed home immediately after being served the SHN. The court heard that he had not been infected by the coronavirus.
Urging the court to impose a sentence of at least 10 to 12 weeks in jail, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenneth Chin said Tham's offence is a "conduct crime", adding that the law is there "to prohibit socially irresponsible conduct regardless of whether any person is infected by the offender or not".
Tham was represented by lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong from Invictus Law Corporation.
Mr Tan pleaded for his client to be given either the maximum fine of $10,000 or up to two weeks in jail. The lawyer had told the court the SHN did not specify that Tham was supposed to go home immediately after receiving it.
When Tham's case first came to light, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority had said the SHN clearly states that it begins on the day a traveller returns.
Tham is out on bail of $5,000 and was ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on April 30 to begin his jail term.
His conduct is socially reprehensible, says judge, who sentences him to six weeks in jail
By Shaffiq Alkhatib, Court Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
A man who breached a stay-home notice (SHN) and went out to eat bak kut teh on March 23 amid the coronavirus outbreak was sentenced yesterday to six weeks in jail.
Alan Tham Xiang Sheng, 34, who pleaded guilty on April 16 to an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act, is the first person to be convicted of exposing others to the risk of infection by breaching an SHN.
Before handing down the sentence yesterday, Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun said Tham's conduct was "socially reprehensible".
Tham, who runs an online sales business, arrived in Singapore from Myanmar on March 23 and was served with an SHN. As part of his notice, the Singaporean was supposed to stay home at all times from then until April 6.
Instead of going straight home to his Woodlands flat, he met his 36-year-old girlfriend at 3.40pm, and the pair went to a foodcourt at Terminal 3 of Changi Airport.
After eating, the woman booked a private-hire car and they went to Peninsula Plaza in North Bridge Road, where Tham visited a money changer. The couple then took another private-hire car and arrived at his home at 6.35pm.
Two hours later, they boarded a public bus for Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre in Woodlands Drive 71, where he had bak kut teh. The court heard that he snapped pictures of the meal and posted them on social media.
After that, the couple went to a nearby FairPrice supermarket, and Tham finally returned home at around 10pm.
On March 25, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority visited Tham as part of an enforcement check, when he told them that he did not proceed home immediately after being served the SHN. The court heard that he had not been infected by the coronavirus.
Urging the court to impose a sentence of at least 10 to 12 weeks in jail, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kenneth Chin said Tham's offence is a "conduct crime", adding that the law is there "to prohibit socially irresponsible conduct regardless of whether any person is infected by the offender or not".
Tham was represented by lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong from Invictus Law Corporation.
Mr Tan pleaded for his client to be given either the maximum fine of $10,000 or up to two weeks in jail. The lawyer had told the court the SHN did not specify that Tham was supposed to go home immediately after receiving it.
When Tham's case first came to light, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority had said the SHN clearly states that it begins on the day a traveller returns.
Tham is out on bail of $5,000 and was ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on April 30 to begin his jail term.
Civil servant arrested under Official Secrets Act for leaking number of new coronavirus cases in Singapore, retrieving Covid-19 patient’s records without authorisation
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
A civil servant has been arrested after she allegedly shared the number of new Covid-19 cases in Singapore with members in a private group who were not authorised to receive the information.
In a statement yesterday, the police said they have arrested the 35-year-old Singaporean woman under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Computer Misuse Act.
The woman is an authorised recipient of classified information on Covid-19.
She was also found to have accessed a government database without permission to get information on a Covid-19 patient.
The police received a report of the incident last Thursday at 7.43pm from a member of the public who claimed that the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Singapore for that day had been leaked on an Instagram story post.
This is even though the Ministry of Health (MOH) had not officially released the figure yet.
Preliminary investigations found that the woman had shared the number of new Covid-19 cases - 728 - for April 16 with members in an online private WeChat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information.
The members of the group then disseminated the information before MOH officially released the announcement in its daily update.
Further investigations found that she had shared the daily Covid-19 case figures with the WeChat group on several other occasions.
She also accessed a government Covid-19 database without authorisation, to retrieve confidential records of a patient who tested positive for the virus, and gave the information to her friend. The police are investigating the case.
Those found guilty of wrongful communication of information under the OSA can be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years.
The police also warned that unauthorised recipients should not further circulate the confidential information received, as they may be similarly liable under the OSA.
If found guilty of unauthorised access to computer materials under the Computer Misuse Act, the woman can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed up to two years.
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 24 Apr 2020
In a statement yesterday, the police said they have arrested the 35-year-old Singaporean woman under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Computer Misuse Act.
The woman is an authorised recipient of classified information on Covid-19.
She was also found to have accessed a government database without permission to get information on a Covid-19 patient.
The police received a report of the incident last Thursday at 7.43pm from a member of the public who claimed that the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Singapore for that day had been leaked on an Instagram story post.
This is even though the Ministry of Health (MOH) had not officially released the figure yet.
Preliminary investigations found that the woman had shared the number of new Covid-19 cases - 728 - for April 16 with members in an online private WeChat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information.
The members of the group then disseminated the information before MOH officially released the announcement in its daily update.
Further investigations found that she had shared the daily Covid-19 case figures with the WeChat group on several other occasions.
She also accessed a government Covid-19 database without authorisation, to retrieve confidential records of a patient who tested positive for the virus, and gave the information to her friend. The police are investigating the case.
Those found guilty of wrongful communication of information under the OSA can be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years.
The police also warned that unauthorised recipients should not further circulate the confidential information received, as they may be similarly liable under the OSA.
If found guilty of unauthorised access to computer materials under the Computer Misuse Act, the woman can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed up to two years.
MOH suspends officer for alleged leak of coronavirus figure, reviews processes
By Clara Chong, The Straits Times, 25 Apr 2020
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday that it has suspended one of its officers after she allegedly leaked the number of new daily coronavirus cases in Singapore and retrieved a Covid-19 patient's records without authorisation.
The 35-year-old civil servant is a Singaporean woman and was arrested under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Computer Misuse Act, the police said on Thursday.
MOH added that it is now reviewing its processes to ensure that the necessary information security protocols are in place.
"The officer has been suspended from work while police investigations are ongoing, and no longer has access to the ministry's confidential information," MOH said in its statement.
"Confidential information relating to Covid-19 cases is placed in a secured server that is only accessible by a restricted group of officers who require the information for their work. The officer had authorised access to the information as required for her work, but had allegedly used the access for other unauthorised purposes."
The police said on Thursday they had received a report on the incident on April 16 at 7.43pm from a member of the public that the number of daily confirmed Covid-19 cases in Singapore for that day had been leaked on an Instagram post.
This was even though MOH had not officially released the figure.
Preliminary investigations found that the MOH officer had shared the number of new Covid-19 cases for April 16 - which was 728 - with members of an online private WeChat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information.
The members then disseminated the information before MOH's announcement in its daily update.
Further investigations found the woman had shared the daily case figures with the WeChat group on several other occasions.
The MOH officer had also accessed a government Covid-19 database without authorisation to retrieve confidential records of a patient who had tested positive for the virus, and gave the information to her friend.
The police are investigating the case. Those found guilty of wrongful communication of information under the OSA can be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years.
The police also warned that unauthorised recipients should not further circulate the confidential information received as they may be similarly liable under the OSA.
If found guilty of unauthorised access to computer materials under the Computer Misuse Act, the woman can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed for up to two years.
By Clara Chong, The Straits Times, 25 Apr 2020
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday that it has suspended one of its officers after she allegedly leaked the number of new daily coronavirus cases in Singapore and retrieved a Covid-19 patient's records without authorisation.
The 35-year-old civil servant is a Singaporean woman and was arrested under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Computer Misuse Act, the police said on Thursday.
MOH added that it is now reviewing its processes to ensure that the necessary information security protocols are in place.
"The officer has been suspended from work while police investigations are ongoing, and no longer has access to the ministry's confidential information," MOH said in its statement.
"Confidential information relating to Covid-19 cases is placed in a secured server that is only accessible by a restricted group of officers who require the information for their work. The officer had authorised access to the information as required for her work, but had allegedly used the access for other unauthorised purposes."
The police said on Thursday they had received a report on the incident on April 16 at 7.43pm from a member of the public that the number of daily confirmed Covid-19 cases in Singapore for that day had been leaked on an Instagram post.
This was even though MOH had not officially released the figure.
Preliminary investigations found that the MOH officer had shared the number of new Covid-19 cases for April 16 - which was 728 - with members of an online private WeChat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information.
The members then disseminated the information before MOH's announcement in its daily update.
Further investigations found the woman had shared the daily case figures with the WeChat group on several other occasions.
The MOH officer had also accessed a government Covid-19 database without authorisation to retrieve confidential records of a patient who had tested positive for the virus, and gave the information to her friend.
The police are investigating the case. Those found guilty of wrongful communication of information under the OSA can be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years.
The police also warned that unauthorised recipients should not further circulate the confidential information received as they may be similarly liable under the OSA.
If found guilty of unauthorised access to computer materials under the Computer Misuse Act, the woman can be fined up to $5,000 and jailed for up to two years.
COVID-19: Singapore won't hesitate to act against those who flout measures to curb coronavirus, says Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam
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