As of 1 January 2020, attempting suicide is not illegal in Singapore.A person who attempts suicide will not be punished for trying. However, if a police officer has reasons to suspect that a person is about to attempt suicide, or has attempted suicide, the officer will have certain powers to try and stop the attempt, and to prevent the person from getting hurt. In Singapore just like any other country in the world, organized crime is considered a criminal act and includes running unlicensed money lending facilities and operating illegal gambling dens among other crimes. Given the severe penalty attached to them, Singapore records an average low crime rate compared to the rest of the world. An Act to regulate remote gambling and remote gambling services affecting Singapore and to make related amendments to certain other written laws. Be it enacted by the President with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Singapore, as follows. There are a few gambling laws and acts that regulate sports betting in Singapore including the Common Gaming Act and the Betting Act. Since 2014, when the Remote Gambling Act was brought in, Singaporeans can lay the odds online with two domestic operators – Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club.

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As of 1 January 2020, attempting suicide is not illegal in Singapore. A person who attempts suicide will not be punished for trying.

However, if a police officer has reasons to suspect that a person is about to attempt suicide, or has attempted suicide, the officer will have certain powers to try and stop the attempt, and to prevent the person from getting hurt.

These powers include:

• Searching places (and forcibly gaining entry into these places if necessary)
• Searching people and removing all items found on them, except their clothes
• Searching for documents related to the suicide attempt
• Seizing and preventing the disposal of items related to the suicide attempt

Will a Person Who Succeeds in Committing Suicide Still Get Punished?

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A person who succeeds and dies as a result of suicide in Singapore will also not be punished, for obvious reasons. The urban legend that a deceased person who dies via suicide will have his corpse handcuffed and arrested, and/or whipped as punishment, is merely a myth.

Instead, when a person dies by suicide, police procedure is to first check for vital signs. (If the person had hanged himself, the police will cut the person down first before checking for vital signs.)

The police will then secure the scene for further investigations. At the same time, the body is put into a body bag and transported via a police hearse to the Health Sciences Authority mortuary. There, a pathologist will examine the body to determine the cause of death.

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Will a Person Who Encourages Another to Commit Suicide be Punished?

A person found guilty of abetting suicide (i.e. aiding another in attempting suicide) will be punished with a fine and also a jail term of up to 10 years, pursuant to section 306 of the Penal Code. This is especially so if such an abettor is motivated by malicious intentions.

Also, under section 305 of the Penal Code, if the person who attempted suicide was a minor, or lacked the capacity to understand the consequences of attempting or committing suicide:

• The abettor is liable for either the death penalty or life imprisonment, or up to 20 years’ jail and a fine, if the suicide attempt succeeded
• The abettor is liable for life imprisonment, or up to 20 years’ jail and a fine, if the suicide attempt failed and the attempter suffered hurt in the process
• The abettor is liable for up to 15 years’ jail and a fine if the suicide attempt failed and the attempter was not hurt

A minor refers to someone under 18 years old. On the other hand, a person lacking of capacity refers to someone unable to understand the consequences of suicide, whether due to situations such as having a mental condition, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Does a Doctor Commit an Offence by Turning Off a Person’s Life Support?

In contrast, as long as a person is above 21 years of age, he can sign a legal document known as an Advance Medical Directive. This document allows him to inform his doctor that he does not wish to be given life-sustaining treatment in the event that he is unconscious with a terminal illness such that he is unable to make his wishes known at that point in time.

In such cases, given the patient’s express consent, the doctor will not be held as an abettor of suicide if he switches off life support and allows the patient to die.

Life Can be a Struggle, But Know That You’re Not Alone

If you or someone you know in Singapore needs help, you can call the following helplines:

• Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222
• Silver Ribbon: 6386 1928
• Tinkle Friend (for primary school students): 1800-274-4788
• Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

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How is maintenance upon divorce awarded in Singapore? If the wife earns more than the husband, can she still ask for maintenance? In what circumstances does the wife have to provide maintenance for her husband/ex-husband, if any?

Maintenance of the Wife

Section 113 of the Women’s Charter empowers the court to order a man to pay maintenance to his wife or former wife, either during matrimonial proceedings, or after a divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage has been finalised.

The fact that the wife is drawing a large salary (evincing financial self-sufficiency) may influence the Judge, who may be reluctant to award a high quantum, if any, in maintenance fees to the wife. Also, the division of matrimonial assets, especially in circumstances where substantial assets are awarded to the wife, may justify a smaller maintenance for the wife. Maintenance may be paid either in a lump sum or in periodic payments.

Maintenance of the Husband

For a long time now, the law in Singapore was such that the husband was the only party required to provide maintenance for his ex-wife where necessary. However, amendments to the Women’s Charter have made it possible for the husband to apply for maintenance as well. Ill or incapacitated husbands or ex-husbands can now apply for maintenance if they are:

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• Incapacitated by a physical or mental disability, before or during the course of marriage;
• Unable to earn a living as a result of the disability; and
• Unable to support themselves

Determining the Quantum of Maintenance

The court will look at the facts and determine whether the party seeking maintenance has such a need; and if so, the appropriate quantum of maintenance. Pursuant to section 114 of the Women’s Charter, the factors that will influence such a decision include:

1. The earning power of both parties, previously, currently and in the future.
2. The assets owned by either and both parties.
3. The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities of both parties in the future. (For example if the wife is awarded the care and control of the child, she would also need to bear the financial burden of raising the child, whilst the child would require maintenance too. Therefore, the husband may be ordered to pay for such sums.)
4. The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the marriage broke down.
5. The age of the parties and the duration of the marriage.
6. The contributions made by each party to the family.
7. Any potential losses suffered by the parties as a result of the marriage.

Tip for Spouses Applying for Maintenance

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Even if the Judge is reluctant to order a large maintenance fee, the party applying for maintenance should still push for at least a nominal maintenance fee of $1. This ensures that he/she still has an option of applying for an increase in maintenance under section 112 of the Women’s Charter in future, should the need arise.

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However, if the Judge does not grant any maintenance at all, there is no possibility of obtaining maintenance subsequently.

Hence to ensure that there is a safety net of having maintenance when needed, one should try to obtain minimally a $1 maintenance fee. This was highlighted in the Court of Appeal case of AFE v APF, where it was clarified that a lack of order given by the Judge equated to closing off any prospects of maintenance indefinitely.

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What to Do If Your Spouse Refuses to Comply with the Maintenance Order

Should your spouse refuse to comply with the maintenance order, you can apply to enforce the maintenance order against your spouse.

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