The Reaper in Parliament (9 and 10 Jan)
The reaper was in Parliament on 9 and 10 January 2023.
On LED wreaths
Tan Wu Meng (Clementi) asked the responsibilities and precautions required of funeral service providers in order to:
(i) avoid power trips and/or short circuits especially when electricity supplies at common areas are being used and;
(ii) ensure electrical safety, including the safety of passersby, when LED wreaths are deployed, particularly in situations where the LED wreath is exposed to the elements including rainfall and water.
Tan also asked about the requirement LED wreaths’ electrical components to be water-resistant or waterproof, when and wherever the LED wreath may be deployed at a location where it may be exposed to rainfall.
In her written response, Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu (Yuhua), stated that the National Environment Agency (NEA) in collaboration with the Association of Funeral Directors (AFD) has “develop[ed] guidelines for the funeral services industry and premises owners on the usage of light-emitting wreaths at funeral wakes to address potential public disamenities and safety concerns”.
Under present guidelines, any persons or companies who deploys or install light emitting wreaths shall be responsible for:
- the safe use of these wreaths at funeral wakes;
- obtain the Town Councils’ or relevant authorities’ written permission for the use of these wreaths and associated electrical installation works at public spaces;
- Where generators are used, a supply installation licence is required, and generator providers and funeral services providers must engage a licensed electrical worker to ensure that the electrical circuitry and connections are done safely.
Furthermore, there are also regulations on the deployment of light-emitting wreaths, and they include:
- The light-emitting wreaths are to be confined to the funeral wake area and is subject to approvals from Town Councils or relevant authorities.
- Funeral services providers and companies shall only deploy not more than 10 light-emitting wreaths at each funeral wake area.
- They should not obstruct the designated pedestrian walkways and pavements, to not affect the passageway of pedestrians on foot or in a wheelchair.
- They should also not obstruct any fire safety provisions or be placed within 5 metres from any fire hydrant.
Funeral Parlours
Grace Fu (Yuhua) also addressed another question by Don Wee (Brickland) who asked the Minister on the enforcement measures that are in place to ensure that funeral parlours operate under hygienic conditions, store and treat the bodies respectfully.
NEA issues the licenses for funeral parlours with embalming or body washing facilities, and thus the authorities required that licensees “provide adequate and hygienic washing facilities and perform thorough cleaning of the body preparation rooms after each service”, said Fu.
She reiterated that NEA “conducts periodic checks at licensed funeral parlours to ensure compliance with the licensing conditions and the Environmental Public Health (Funeral Parlours) Regulations”.
Further to enforcement checks, NEA had issued guidelines on the handling of deceased persons in funeral parlours, which “facilitate the sharing of best practices for practitioners in the funeral services industry, so as to ensure high public health standards and provide dignified services to bereaved families.
Death Kopitiam Singapore’s commentary: [Part I] Abuses in the industry: What has changed since January 2020
On Edward H Go’s death
19-year-old SCDF firefighter and national serviceman Edward Go died battling a fire in a rental flat in Henderson Road in December 2022.
On 9 January 2023, Minister of State for Home Affairs Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon Central) took questions on the circumstances behind his death from Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok) and Gerald Giam (Bedok Reservoir-Punggol).
Dr Faishal stated that the passing of SGT1 Edward Go is the first SCDF fatality in a firefighting operation, and an independent, thorough investigation into the circumstances of SGT1 Edward’s demise is presently being conducted. The Coroner will be apprised of its findings.
Dr Faishal emphasized that it is “premature” to determine the factors which contributed to SGT1 Edward’s death. However, he did mention that the firefighting efforts on that fateful day was obstructed by “a tent where a funeral wake was being held”, which delayed the arrival of reinforcements by 18 minutes – the contractor has since been issued a summons for contravening the by-laws of the Tanjong Pagar Town Council.
“The Coroner will consider the Police’s investigation findings, in determining the cause of death. Due to the ongoing investigations, we are unable to share further details at this stage”, added Dr Faishal.
He also reiterated that the safety of all Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel is of utmost importance to the Home Team.
Read: Dr Faishal (Nee Soon Central)’s full statement
On NS deaths and injuries
NCMP Hazel Poa asked the Prime Minister a question on the number of full-time and reservist National Servicemen in the SAF, SPF and SCDF respectively who, over the past twenty years,:
(i) passed away while in service or;
(ii) suffered permanent disability from a service injury
Poa also wanted to know the amount of compensation paid to the servicemen in these cases respectively.
In his reply, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen (Toa Payoh Central) stated that over the last 20 years, a total of 42 national servicemen passed away due to service
- Singapore Armed Forces: 35
- Singapore Police Force: 4
- Singapore Civil Defence Force: 3
Of the 42 deaths, a total of six deaths were due to traffic accidents on the way to or from work or while on official duties, which are covered under MINDEF’s and MHA’s compensation framework.
Read: Dr Ng Eng Hen (Toa Payoh Central)’s full statement
