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Ranmaru Mori
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Jan 8, 2010
Stiffer penalties imposed
<!-- by line --> By Rachael Chang
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The debate on the Moneylenders Bill and Medical Registration Bill is expected to dominate the sitting. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
LOANSHARKS and errant doctors are to face stiffer penalties under proposed changes enacted in two Bills to be debated when Parliament sits from Monday. MPs have also tabled about 50 questions for the sitting, but three subjects appear to capture the interest of several: climate change, teaching of Chinese in schools, and the impact of a rapidly-expanding population on the supply of HDB homes and infrastructure. However, the debate on the Moneylenders Bill and Medical Registration Bill is expected to dominate the sitting. In recent years, loanshark activities have intensified, with cases reported rising from 10,221 in 2006 to 11,789 in 2008. To arrest the problem, the proposed changes will increase the mandatory jail term and fine of offenders, who are also liable for caning. For both first-time and repeat offenders, the fine will be $30,000 to $300,000, an increase from the current $20,000 to $200,000. But the maximum jail term for first-time offenders is doubled, from two to four years. They also face possible caning of up to six strokes.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 8, 2010
Stiffer penalties imposed
<!-- by line --> By Rachael Chang
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar -->
The debate on the Moneylenders Bill and Medical Registration Bill is expected to dominate the sitting. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
LOANSHARKS and errant doctors are to face stiffer penalties under proposed changes enacted in two Bills to be debated when Parliament sits from Monday. MPs have also tabled about 50 questions for the sitting, but three subjects appear to capture the interest of several: climate change, teaching of Chinese in schools, and the impact of a rapidly-expanding population on the supply of HDB homes and infrastructure. However, the debate on the Moneylenders Bill and Medical Registration Bill is expected to dominate the sitting. In recent years, loanshark activities have intensified, with cases reported rising from 10,221 in 2006 to 11,789 in 2008. To arrest the problem, the proposed changes will increase the mandatory jail term and fine of offenders, who are also liable for caning. For both first-time and repeat offenders, the fine will be $30,000 to $300,000, an increase from the current $20,000 to $200,000. But the maximum jail term for first-time offenders is doubled, from two to four years. They also face possible caning of up to six strokes.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.