Source : Straits Times - 20 Jan 2009
THE Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Act is being amended to require that only licensed importers are allowed to supply construction raw materials such as sand and granite to Singapore.
The BCA will issue import permits to these licensees.
Without such a permit, licensees will not be able to import construction materials here. Those who do so may be fined up to $500,000, be jailed for up to two years or both.
Additionally, the raw materials will be quarantined and evaluated by an authorised analyst for quality before they can be used in construction.
Changes to Acra registration rule
ALL professional businesses such as law firms, doctors and architects must now register with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
Sole proprietorships or partnerships run by these professionals were exempted previously, while corporations and limited liability partnerships were required to register.
The Business Registration Act - which governs sole proprietorships and partnerships - was amended yesterday to ensure consistent treatment for professional practices across various legislations.
Higher payout for fatal crashes
INDIVIDUALS charged with causing a fatal accident may have to shell out more money now to dependants of the dead man or woman.
Defendants in fatal accident claims may be ordered to pay out $15,000 instead of $10,000, the amount set 20 years ago by the Civil Law Act.
The amount will be reviewed periodically to keep up with inflation and living costs, just as in countries such as Britain.
In other changes to the Civil Law Act, the definition of ‘dependent’ will be extended to cover a ‘former wife’, allowing ex-wives who were being supported by the deceased to file dependency claims.
Claims against govt agencies
THE Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) handled 241 public liability claims against government agencies in the past three years.
Of these, 206 cases were settled out of court. Payments were made in 125 cases, while 81 cases were resolved without payments.
Among the remaining 35 cases that went to court, 28 cases received payments, while seven cases did not.
The Law Ministry provided these figures in a reply to Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who asked for the number of such claims and how they were resolved.
The AGC, as legal adviser to the Government, handles the more serious claims received by agencies which refer cases to it.
Claims not exceeding $750 are handled by the ministries themselves.
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