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| Ridding
unnecessary rules |
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The Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA) has adopted several measures
to cut red tape. Central to these measures is its
rules review framework.
This framework enables the Home Team to identify and track rules for review.
Its various components include principles for identifying rules for review, key
considerations before rules are eliminated and a mechanism to monitor the progress
of the rules review process.
The Home Team departments have formed rules review committees and working groups
to examine in greater detail the assumptions and rationale for the rules under
review. Progress of the rules review process is reported at the respective quarterly
Departmental Executive Committee meetings chaired by Permanent Secretary (Home
Affairs) Tan Guong Ching.
“We
have seen some successes over the last six months,” Mr
Ivan Chua, Assistant Director (Ops Planning), Strategic
Planning and Development. “The Home Team agencies
have eliminated and streamlined a number of rules
during this period, and the recognition from the
conferment of our second POWER Award is a tribute
to all Home Team officers who have participated in
the rules review process in
one way or another.”
General feedback from MHA staff has been good, he added. Feedback from customers
has also been positive particularly in instances where processes were streamlined
for their convenience (see the following three examples).
Photocard saves time and money
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new driving licence costs only $50
and is valid for life. |
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In December 2002, the Singapore Police Force introduced the photocard driving
licence. Costing $50 and valid for life, the new card is appreciated by drivers
who no longer have to pay $20 per year to renew their licence.
Furthermore, the new card is credit card-sized and fits easily inside standard-sized
wallets. It is made of plastic and contains a colour photograph of the licence
holder for easy identification. It has both visual and hidden security features
to prevent tampering and forgery. The new card is also more readily accepted
by overseas authorities and car rental companies.
Check your licence status online
The Electronic Driver Data Information & Enquiry System (EDDIES) went online
in October 2002. The system allows members of the public, insurance and car rental
companies to retrieve and view drivers’ driving licence status and eligibility
for the Certificate of Merit (COM), which is given to drivers who maintain a
three-year period free from demerit points.
Previously, the Traffic Police sent out cards to drivers who qualified for the
COM. There was no way for licence holders, insurance companies, car rental companies
or other parties to find out a driver’s driving licence status or the classes
of vehicle he/she is allowed to drive except by writing to the Traffic Police.
Now drivers, employers, insurance companies and local and foreign rental companies
can access the updated information at anytime and from anywhere.
Easy payment at prisons
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| To
check if you are eligible for the COM,
click here. |
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Following
a review of rules, Tanah Merah Prison has installed
a NETS machine at the Visit Office located outside
the institution to make it convenient for
inmates’ visitors to pay inmates’ dental fees.
Previously, the visitors had to make payment in person. They had to walk through
five gates to enter the Records Office located within the institution.
Today, the average waiting time for the inmates’ visitors has been cut
by 20 minutes. The installation of the NETS machine has also made it possible
for the visitors to settle other payments such as examination fees and medical
costs at the Visit Office.
Four other prison institutions have installed similar facilities. The remaining
nine will be encouraged to introduce the NETS facilities at the Visit Office.
Transforming corporate culture
Mr Chua said that to inculcate a culture where officers are motivated to question
conventions and take steps to remove unnecessary rules requires much effort and
time.
Commitment from top management is critical, which is why there is strong leadership
endorsement for the rules review framework. And as the elimination of red tape
often means devolving responsibility for decision-making on more issues to officers,
MHA emphasises training and continuous learning so that its officers will be
thoroughly equipped to make wise decisions. |
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Next: Reducing
bureaucracy, raising standards
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