Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Be wary of unregulated services’ lack of security features: MP

Be wary of unregulated services’ lack of security features: MP
Mr Saktiandi Supaat encouraged commuters to utilise the security features on regulated platforms. PHOTO: GOV.SG

Molester used unregulated private-hire car service to find victims

David Sun
Dec 24, 2020 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

While more can be done to enhance the safety of Singapore's transport ecosystem, commuters must also be careful when using unregulated services, says MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Saktiandi Supaat.

The Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) chairman for transport noted that unregulated services are cheaper because they do not have the same security features and checks as regulated platforms.

"I strongly encourage commuters to utilise the security features on regulated platforms," he told The New Paper.

Referring to the case of Muhammad Hafiz Maksah, who exploited unregulated private-hire car services to prey on women, Mr Saktiandi said that parents are right to be wary.

"There are valid concerns which I understand as a parent myself," added the father of three teenage children.

"Thankfully so far, we have not seen many cases of abuse (in private hire car services) as compared with other countries."

Retail consultant jailed for selling details of Singtel customers
Singapore

18 weeks' jail for retail consultant who sold Singtel customer details

Jan 27, 2021

Related Stories

Company director, consultant charged with cheating PA, IMDA of $77,000

Judge rebukes lawyer for blaming 13-year-old sex victim

Woman abused two maids, including pinching one of them

Calling for a deterrent sentence for Hafiz yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Thiagesh Sukumaran noted the consistent number of molest complaints against private-hire drivers in recent years - 17 each in 2017 and 2018 and 15 last year.

Pointing out the greater potential for abuse in unregulated services, he said they "have no systems of accountability, such as location tracking systems or driver histories, and largely function on a system of trust".

"The present case clearly demonstrates that unregulated private-hire car platforms can be abused by drivers with nefarious intentions because of the sheer lack of accountability."

Mr Saktiandi said he hopes to see enhanced security features for all drivers in the system.

"Unregulated services may be cheaper because they don't have to spend money to implement such features. I am sure there are decent drivers who just want to earn a living, but you cannot put a price on safety and security."- DAVID SUN

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

COURT & CRIME

David Sun

davidsun@sph.com.sg
Read articles by David Sun
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Let’s cancel Chinese New Year
Lifestyle

Let's cancel Chinese New Year

Jan 25, 2021
After one year of Covid in Singapore: Case 38
Singapore

A year on, recovered virus patient still can't taste or smell

Jan 22, 2021
Let’s cancel Chinese New Year
Lifestyle

Let's cancel Chinese New Year

Jan 25, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E