Legislation Update

New Acts

National Council of Social Service (Amendment) Act 2000 (A23/2000)

This Act seeks to amend National Council of Social Service Act to, inter alia, empower the Council of Social Service to form incorporated or unincorporated bodies or organisations, or to enter into joint ventures with other persons or organisations to carry out any of its objects. In addition, the restriction on inquiry into the internal management of Council members is removed. The amendments are effective from 29 September 2000.

Auctioneers’ Licences (Amendment) Act 2000 (A22/2000)

This Act amends the Auctioneers’ Licences Act to achieve the following purposes:

  1. to abolish licensing of persons who carry on the trade or business of an auctioneer, but without affecting the regulation of auctioneers under other written laws like the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act 1999 and the Pawnbrokers Act;
  2. to change the short title of the Act to the Appraisers and House Agents Act; and
  3. to provide that persons who are licensed auctioneers immediately before the amendments take effect are deemed to be licensed appraisers and licensed house agents until 31 December 2000. This will obviate any inconvenience caused to such auctioneers in having to apply for an appraiser’s licence or house agent’s licence immediately when the amendments take effect.

The Act also makes consequential amendments to the Arms and Explosives Act, the Central Provident Fund Act, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Act and the Trustees Act.

CHANGES TO SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

Revised Edition of the Laws (Trustees Act) (Rectification) Order 2000 (S316/2000)

The First Schedule to the Trustees Act has been amended with effect from 7 July 2000 so that it is no longer a requirement that trustees investing trust funds in land should restrict themselves only to land, the gross rental of which is, at the time of the investment, not less than 7% of the purchase price of the land (in the case of a purchase), or 7% of the value of the land (in the case of a mortgage).

Business Registration Act — Cancellation of Direction under s 11(c) (S317/2000)

In exercise of the powers conferred by s 11(c) of the Business Registration Act, the Minister for Finance has cancelled, with effect from 7 July 2000, the direction given to the Registrar of Businesses not to accept for registration under the Business Registration Act:

  1. the names ‘Singapore Port Institute’ and ‘World Trade Centre Singapore’ in any business name;
  2. the word ‘Raffles’ in any business name if the activities of the business involve the operation of a hotel, motel or lodging house; and
  3. any business name containing the words ‘Singapore Post’ or any abbreviation thereof like import, other than in respect of a registration of an entity by the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore or any other person duly authorised by it.

Companies Act — Cancellation of Direction under s 27(1)(d) (S318/2000)

In exercise of the powers conferred by s 27(1)(d) of the Companies Act, the Minister for Finance has cancelled, with effect from 7 July 2000, the direction given to the Registrar of Companies not to accept for registration under the Companies Act the names ‘Singapore Port Institute’ and ‘World Trade Centre Singapore’ in any company name.

Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing) (Amendment No 5) Rules 2000 (S320/2000)

With effect from 11 July 2000, the Registrar of Vehicles may, in his discretion and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, waive the registration of any vehicle if he is satisfied that the vehicle:

  1. will not be used on any road at any time; and
  2. will be kept and used exclusively for any of the following purposes:

Elizabeth Wong  
Allen & Gledhill