1. Overview on Witness Protection in Singapore
Sherlyn Neo
Senior Assistant Director
Ministry of Law
14 August 2015 1
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2. Overview of Witness Protection
Protection from retaliation and intimidation
Non-disclosure of identity of informants
Protection when giving evidence in court

3. Retaliation and Intimidation
Protection from
Retaliation and Intimidation
Witnesses are protected from potential retaliation or intimidation by the criminalisation of any obstruction, prevention, perversion or defeat of the course of justice under s 204A of the Penal Code (Cap. 224), which is punishable with a maximum of 7 years’ imprisonment and/or fine.
Our general penal laws also protect all persons, including witnesses, from retaliation, intimidation and harassment by criminalising these acts
Existing legislation also protects the identity of informants

4. Identity of Informants
Non-Disclosure of
Identity of Informants
Some statutes expressly provide for the non-disclosure of the identity of informants
s 36 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap. 241)
s 40 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (Cap. 65A) (CDSA)
s 45 of the CDSA

5. Giving Evidence in Court
Protection when
Giving Evidence in Court
The State Courts and the Supreme Court have the powers to hear matters in-camera: s 7(2) State Courts Act (SCA); s 8(2) Supreme Court of Judicature Act (SCJA); s 152(1) Women’s Charter (WC)
The State Courts and the Supreme Court may allow evidence to be given via live video: s 281 CPC
The State Courts and the Supreme Court may issue a gag order where it considers appropriate: s 7(3) SCA, s 8(3) SCJA; specific protections for women/girls and children/young persons

6. References
Statutes:

7. Thank you!