by Mavis Toh
A NEW law is in the works to deal specifically with organised
crime and pre-empt the sinking of roots here by foreign
syndicates.
Organised crime is 'not yet a menace in Singapore', Home Affairs
Minister K. Shanmugam made clear on Wednesday when Parliament
debated his ministry's budget.
But the authorities are aware that the threat of cross-border
and organised crime hangs over the city state as it is an open
society and a financial and communications hub.
Hence the law now under consideration.
'The key is to stop foreign groups from penetrating our borders,
sinking roots and growing here,' he said.
The current local crime scene, though, comprises loose
coalitions of hooligans in street gangs and small groups in loan
sharking and drug activities, Mr Shanmugam said.