Singapore is open to considering chemical castration for sex offenders if there is clear evidence that the measure is effective in reducing crime.
However, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said the evidence currently available is not conclusive.
The Senior Minister, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, made the comments in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, 8 September.
Government Has Not Decided to Introduce Chemical Castration
Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam had asked whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had evaluated pharmacological anti-androgen treatments, commonly referred to as chemical castration, as an additional way to deter sexual offences and reduce the risk of offenders committing further crimes.
Mr Shanmugam said the Government remained open to considering such measures if they were clearly shown to reduce crime rates.
For now, however, he said the evidence on their effectiveness was inconclusive.
This means Singapore has not announced plans to introduce chemical castration, and any future consideration would depend on stronger evidence of its effectiveness.
Mr Giam had also asked whether penalties for major sexual offences against children and young people, including rape, penetrative sexual assault and outrage of modesty, would be reviewed following recent increases in reported cases.
Police figures released in August showed that 762 molestation cases were reported in the first half of 2026, up from 739 during the same period in 2025.
There were also 261 reported rape cases in the first six months of 2026, compared with 230 a year earlier.
Shanmugam Points to Existing Penalties for Offences Against Minors
Mr Shanmugam said Singapore already imposes heavy punishments for sexual crimes, particularly offences involving minors.
Rape or penetrative sexual assault involving a child below 14 without consent carries a mandatory jail term of at least eight years and up to 20 years, as well as at least 12 strokes of the cane.
Outrage of modesty against a child below 14 can result in up to five years’ jail, a fine and caning.
Where the child is hurt or restrained during the offence, the offender faces at least three years’ jail, which can extend to 10 years, as well as mandatory caning.
Mr Shanmugam also pointed to changes made to Singapore’s laws over the years, including the introduction of an offence covering exploitative sexual penetration of minors aged 16 to below 18 in 2019 and an increase in the maximum jail term for outrage of modesty in 2021.
New Public Protection Sentence Started in July
Another recent measure is the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection, or SEPP, which came into force on 31 July 2026.
It applies to certain offenders aged 21 and above who commit serious violent or sexual offences and pose a substantial risk of reoffending.
A court can impose a minimum detention period of between five and 20 years.
After that minimum period, release is not automatic. The offender will undergo an updated psychiatric risk assessment and can remain detained if the Minister for Home Affairs assesses that the person continues to pose a threat to the public.
Detention can ultimately continue for as long as necessary for public protection, up to life.
Police Already Keep Non-Public Records of Serious Offenders
Mr Giam also asked about introducing a sex offender register.
Mr Shanmugam said the police currently maintain a non-public record of people convicted of serious offences, including sexual offences.
These records are shared with selected government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social and Family Development, when people are screened for jobs involving sustained contact with children and young people.
The Government is considering expanding such screening to more types of roles involving children, including the possibility of voluntary screening in unregulated sectors.
More details will be announced when they are ready.
