2006

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Events

Law

  • 1 June – The Casino Control Act 2006[1] comes into force. Among other things, the Act establishes the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore and the National Council on Problem Gambling; and provides for the licensing of casinos and their employees, and the supervision and control of casino operators. This follows the government's announcement on 18 April 2005 that it is relaxing its ban on casinos and is allowing the development of two 'integrated resorts' incorporating casinos, its aim being to boost the tourism industry. Both resorts are expected to open by 2009.[Citation Needed] Locals who wish to enter the casinos will be required to pay a daily entry fee of S$100 or purchase an annual entry pass for S$2,000. This measure is aimed at reducing the negative effects of compulsive gambling. The entry fees will be used to educate and counsel Singaporeans that have gambling habits.
  • September – The Subordinate Courts start a pilot project called the Lay Assistant Scheme in which persons, usually with some legal knowledge, attend hearings with litigants who are not represented by lawyers to advise them on non-legal issues and help them with administrative tasks. The scheme, a modification of the UK's McKenzie Friend system, is intended to assist litigants who are not eligible for legal aid as they have an annual salary exceeding S$10,000 but cannot afford a lawyer. For the litigant to qualify, the other party must be legally represented. Lay assistants are not allowed to act as lawyers and may not address the court; any breach of court rules may render them liable to a maximum fine of S$1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months. Plans for introducing McKenzie Friends in court proceedings were first announced by Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong in May 2006. Students from the Pro Bono Group of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, have been participating in the scheme.[2]
  • 9 November to 9 December – The Ministry of Home Affairs holds a public consultation on proposed changes to the Penal Code.[3] Among the suggested changes are proposals to modify the marital immunity currently enjoyed by a husband against raping his wife, and to decriminalize oral and anal sex by a consenting heterosexual couple aged 16 years and above.

Sports

Deaths