K Shanmugam on sentencing provisions for youth in scam-related offences

Age is relevant, but do not understate the importance of holding individuals responsible when they know what they are doing, said Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam. Replying to an MP’s question in parliament on Tuesday (Oct 6), he said the government is particularly concerned that many young people are getting involved in scam-related offences. He referred to the recent case of Mohamed Erzan Taib Zohri, in which the High Court decided to allow several Magistrate's Appeals by youth offenders who were involved in scam-related offences. They received probation and community sentences. Mr Shanmugam noted that the courts have the discretion in sentencing and exceptions are possible. But he stressed the need for deterrence, adding that this is “not an occasion to go soft”. This was why the House took a tough approach in its recent rounds of amendments to the relevant legislation - to send the message that every offender will be dealt with very seriously. “We respect the court's views, but we will give effect to the policy position I have outlined and we will table legislation in parliament soon,” he said. “We will reinforce through the law the approach of imposing deterrent sentence on all scammers and those who facilitate scams, including those who are young,” he added.