Saturday, 07 June 2025

Country Amends Law That Could JAIL Citizens For Refusing Vaccinations


According to reports, the Singapore government has amended a law that would impose penalties, including prison, to citizens who refuse vaccinations.

Singapore amended its 1976 Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) in 2023 and 2024, giving the country’s health minister sweeping powers when handling a ‘pandemic.’

From The Straits Times:

Singapore will be able to mount different levels of responses to public health threats of varying severity, with changes to the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) passed on March 7.

The need for this was a key takeaway from Covid-19, when the Government stepped up responses as the situation escalated and tapered down when the threat subsided, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament.

The amendments also provide the health minister with powers to effect relevant measures at different phases of a pandemic.

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Rather than catering to just peacetime or emergency, a new intermediate state called the Public Health Threat (PHT) has been introduced, in addition to the most dire Public Health Emergency (PHE).

The changes will take in some powers afforded under Part 7 of the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act that allowed for the implementation of safety measures such as the circuit breaker and that expires in April.

Mr Ong noted that a key recommendation of the White Paper on Singapore’s Response to Covid-19, released in March 2023, was the need to review and amend the IDA.

Several sections of the amended IDA allow authorities to mandate vaccinations in certain circumstances and impose penalties for refusal.

Sections 47, 51, 65, and 67 outline the criminal penalties for citizens who refuse vaccination orders.

Per Section 47:

Power to order certain persons to undergo vaccination or other prophylaxis

47.—(1) In an outbreak or a suspected outbreak of any infectious disease in any area in Singapore, the Director-General of Health may by order direct any person or class of persons not protected or vaccinated against the disease to undergo vaccination or other prophylaxis within the period specified in the order.

(2) In addition to the power conferred by subsection (1), where it appears to the Director-General of Health that —

(a) an outbreak of an infectious disease in any area in Singapore is imminent; and

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(b) it is necessary or expedient to do so for the securing of public safety,

the Director-General of Health may by order direct any person or class of persons not protected or vaccinated against that infectious disease to undergo vaccination or other prophylaxis within the period specified in the order.

(3) Any order made under subsection (1) or (2) may specify the person by whom and the manner in which the vaccination or other prophylaxis is to be carried out.

(4) Where any order is made under subsection (1) or (2), the Director-General of Health must cause notice of the effect of the order to be given in such a manner as the Director-General of Health thinks necessary for bringing it to the notice of all persons who in the opinion of the Director‑General of Health ought to have notice of it.

Per Section 51:

Offence

51. Any person who contravenes any provision of this Part, or fails to comply with any notice given under section 46 or order made under section 47, shall be guilty of an offence.

Per Section 65:

General penalties

65. Any person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no penalty is expressly provided shall —

(a) in the case of a first offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and

(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Section 67 exempts government authorities of liability.

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Per Section 67:

Protection from personal liability

67. No liability shall lie personally against the Director‑General of Health, the Director‑General of Public Health, the Director‑General, Food Administration or any Health Officer, adjunct Health Officer, Port Health Officer or police officer who, acting in good faith and with reasonable care, does or omits to do anything in the execution or purported execution of this Act.

Derrick Sim of the People’s Power Party criticized the amended law in a Facebook post.

Sim writes:

Section 47, 65 and 67 of the Infectious Disease Act were amended and in effect since 2023.

If you choose not to go for vaccination during the next pandemic, you will be deemed to commit an offence. You will be criminalize. The penalty for first time offence is 6 months imprisonment or up to $10,000 fine, or both.

Do you support this such ridiculous law?

A petition titled ‘Protect Right to Refuse Vaccination without Criminal Penalty,’ which has over 1,o00 signatures at the time of writing, says:

In the heart of a nation that prides itself on the freedom and rights of its citizens, I find myself in a troubling position. As a resident of Singapore, I believe it is my fundamental human right and right as a citizen to have control over my own body and health decisions. The decision to vaccinate should be a personal choice, not a legal mandate that carries the threat of imprisonment.

While I acknowledge the importance of vaccinations in public health, it is crucial to respect personal autonomy and freedom. Each individual should have the right to assess, understand, and decide what is best for their body without fear of legal repercussions. The imposition of criminal penalties for refusing vaccination is an infringement on personal liberties.

Statistics show that the majority of the Singaporean population is vaccinated, indicating that most citizens are willingly participating in public health measures. However, for those who opt-out, the threat of jail time is a disproportionate response that does not align with the principles of personal freedom and bodily autonomy.

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I urge the Singaporean government to reconsider current mandates that threaten legal action against individuals who choose not to vaccinate. Instead, let us focus on educating the public about vaccines and offering them as a choice rather than a compulsion.

By signing this petition, you support the protection of individual rights and freedoms. You stand for a future where decisions about our bodies are left to individuals, free from punitive measures. Let’s come together to advocate for a policy change that respects personal choice and promotes the dignity of every citizen. Please sign this petition if you believe in the right to decide without the fear of criminal consequences. Together, we can make a difference.

LifeSiteNews reports:

In the lead-up to Singapore’s parliamentary elections on May 3,2025, Sim, who has a degree in biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing, actively campaigned at political rallies and on national television for medical freedom in the tiny city-state.

During the height of COVID-19, the Singapore government enacted various draconian measures coercing many Singaporeans, including those who were unwilling to take the experimental COVID-19 vaccinations, to either take the jab or lose their job.”

Even priests and religious in Singapore had to undergo the dangerous COVID-19 inoculations, and vaccination was even made mandatory for Mass attendance. Despite people suffering injuries from the experimental COVID shots, the Singapore authorities censored and discouraged public discussion. People who dared question the Singapore government’s narrative were silenced, humiliated, and discredited by the authorities and their media echo chambers.


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