27 June 2025: More stuff for the police!

It's Mekong Review editing season so I've been pretty productive this week. So productive to the point that I can feel myself losing steam a little bit today. A year or two ago I would have kicked into internal self-blame mode and tried to shame myself into working more, but now I'm doing much better at letting myself work at the pace that fits for the moment. If you're feeling tired and burnt out, I hope you'll consider doing this for yourself too.

(Also, sometimes after telling myself that it's okay to work a little less if I'm tired, I end up organically working even more. I can't explain why. Is just liddat.)

(1)

The Protective Security Command (or ProCom), a part of the Singapore Police Force, have new strategic location response teams. The idea is that these teams will make the police more responsive and effective when it comes to dealing with terror attacks and other public security incidents. As part of this push, the cops have got new off-road vehicles, drones and counter-drone technology. "Our officers will be patrolling key locations, including shopping centres and tourist spots, to deter and respond to any security threats," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor Ho, who leads ProCom.

Shopping centres and tourist spots? Those don't strike me as locations that require off-road vehicles, but then again, I'm no defence/security genius. Could someone who is explain what, if something does happen in a mall or a tourist attraction, these off-road vehicles and other new expensive toys could do that our existing resources couldn't? I feel like there should be more scrutiny before we just keep spending and spending on law enforcement—are these things really necessary, are they really effective for what we say we want to achieve, or are we just falling too much into the habit of pouring public resources into systems that police, surveil and punish? I don't have a clear answer in this specific instance, but I think it's a good idea to be asking these questions more regularly, at the very least because it's good for due process and independent oversight.

(2)

Grab, the biggest ride-hailing platform in Singapore, has put a hold on changes to its incentive schemes. They were originally meant to roll out a "Streak Zones" scheme to all drivers on 1 July, alongside changes to the monthly bonus scheme. Although Grab claimed that this would enhance driver earnings while also helping to improve ride availability in areas with higher demand, the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and drivers have raised concerns that full-time drivers might actually earn less, given the revisions of the monthly bonus scheme.

While it's a relief for the drivers that the changes won't be implemented just yet, the problem with this sort of gig economy work is that workers are vulnerable to, or really at the mercy of, these sorts of policy and algorithmic changes. Grab has held off for now, but they—or any other ride-hailing platform—could always make changes to their incentive schemes again at any time.

Some private hire drivers (according to Workers Make Possible, more than 200 of them) have signed an open letter calling for these five changes:

1. Reform of Incentive Structures to prevent schemes that encourage unsafe driving hours.

2. Review and Adjustment of Fare Structures, ensuring they reflect the true costs of operating, and allow drivers to earn a decent living with reasonable hours.

3. Lower platform commissions so drivers can take home more

4. Emergency Medical Support Systems integrated into platforms (e.g., hotline, insurance coverage, response protocols).

5. Support for Families of drivers who suffer serious health incidents or die while on the job, including financial assistance and follow-up care.

If you'd like to read the whole letter, or strike up a conversation with the driver about it the next time you're in a private hire car, you can find the open letter here.

(3)

The government is expected start studying the impact of rising sea levels on offshore islands next year. Singapore is a little island in and of itself, but we also have over sixty even tinier islands. PUB's planned risk assessment study will look into coastal protection measures for eight islands: Pulau Tekong, Pulau Bukom, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Pawai, Pulau Senang, the Southern Islands, Sisters' Islands and Kusu Island. The other islands will still get some attention from relevant government agencies as part of other development plans and studies, so they don't have to feel left out.

* By the way, I was Today Years Old when I realised that PUB no longer officially stands for Public Utilities Board... it was rebranded in 2001 and is now just 'PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency'.

Things of note

I didn't see either of these things coming...

After three years without executions, Japan suddenly hanged someone yesterday. I say "suddenly" because Japan, unlike Singapore, doesn't give prisoners or their families advance notice of executions. Death row prisoners only find out on the day itself, hours before they are taken to the gallows.

On a more positive note, Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for eight offences including embezzlement, activities aimed at overthrowing the government and carrying drugs. The maximum punishment for these offences will now be life imprisonment. People currently on death row after being convicted of these offences will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

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