In Singapore, the system of administrative punishments is governed by the various regulatory bodies and statutory boards. These bodies have the power to investigate, prosecute and impose penalties on individuals or companies that breach the relevant laws and regulations.
The amount of fines for administrative punishments in Singapore can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the discretion of the regulatory body or statutory board that is imposing the penalty.
Personal Data Protection Act
For example, under the Personal Data Protection Act, companies that are found to have violated data protection regulations can be fined up to SGD $1 million. Similarly, under the Building Control Act, building owners or contractors that fail to comply with safety regulations can be fined up to SGD $50,000 or imprisoned for up to 12 months.
The Fines Imposed Can be Even Higher
In some cases, the fines imposed can be even higher. For instance, in 2019, the Monetary Authority of Singapore fined several banks a total of SGD $16.8 million for breaching anti-money laundering regulations. In the same year, a construction company was fined SGD $292,500 for failing to ensure the safety of its workers, which resulted in the death of one worker and the injury of four others.
Deterrent to Prevent Future Violations
It is worth noting that in Singapore, fines are often used as a deterrent to prevent future violations rather than as a form of revenue generation. As such, the amount of fines imposed can be significant in order to send a strong message to deter future violations.
Administrative Punishments in Singapore Can Take Many Forms
Administrative punishments in Singapore can take many forms, including fines, suspension or revocation of licenses, and disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities. These penalties are often imposed without the need for court proceedings, as the relevant authorities have the power to make decisions on their own.
In cases where individuals or companies wish to challenge the administrative punishments imposed on them, they can appeal to the relevant bodies or file a judicial review application in court. However, the success rate of such appeals and applications is generally low.
The Success Rate for Judicial Review Applications
According to statistics published by the Singapore government, the success rate for judicial review applications filed against the decisions of regulatory bodies and statutory boards was 7.1% in 2019. This indicates that in the vast majority of cases, the administrative punishments imposed by these bodies are upheld upon appeal or judicial review.
It is worth noting that the low success rate for appeals and judicial review applications does not necessarily mean that the administrative punishments imposed are always justified. It may simply reflect the fact that the legal and procedural hurdles for challenging these decisions can be high.
Conclusion
In summary, the system of administrative punishments in Singapore is governed by various regulatory bodies and statutory boards, which have the power to investigate, prosecute, and impose penalties on individuals and companies that breach the relevant laws and regulations. While individuals and companies can appeal or file judicial review applications against the administrative punishments imposed, the success rate for such challenges is generally low.
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