Penal Code 1871 - Singapore Statutes Online

Kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour

Kidnapping

359. Kidnapping is of 2 kinds: kidnapping from Singapore, and kidnapping from lawful guardianship.

Kidnapping from Singapore

360. Whoever conveys any person beyond the limits of Singapore without the consent of that person, or of some person legally authorised to consent on behalf of that person, is said to kidnap that person from Singapore.

Kidnapping from lawful guardianship

361. Whoever takes or entices any minor below 16 years of age, or any person of unsound mind, out of the keeping of the lawful guardian of such minor or person of unsound mind, without the consent of such guardian, is said to kidnap such minor or person from lawful guardianship.

Explanation.—The words “lawful guardian” in this section include any person lawfully entrusted with the care or custody of such minor or other person.

Exception.—This section does not extend to the act of any person who in good faith believes himself to be the father of an illegitimate child or who in good faith believes himself to be entitled to the lawful custody of such child, unless such act is committed for an immoral or unlawful purpose.

[15/2019]

Abduction

362. Whoever by force compels, or by any deceitful means induces any person to go from any place, is said to abduct that person.

Punishment for kidnapping

363. Whoever kidnaps any person from Singapore or from lawful guardianship, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Punishment for abduction

363A. Whoever abducts any person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years, or with fine, or with caning, or with any combination of such punishments.

Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder

364. Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be murdered, or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered, shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall, if he is not sentenced to death, also be liable to caning.

Illustrations

(a) A kidnaps Z from Singapore, intending or knowing it to be likely that Z may be sacrificed to an idol. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

(b) A forcibly carries or entices B away from his home in order that B may be murdered. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

364A. [Repealed by Act 19 of 2010]

Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person

365. Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Kidnapping or abducting a woman to compel her marriage, etc.

366. Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman with intent that she may be compelled, or knowing it to be likely that she will be compelled to marry any person against her will, or in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or to a life of prostitution, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or to a life of prostitution, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject a person to grievous hurt, slavery, etc.

367. Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be subjected, or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being subjected to grievous hurt or slavery, or to non‑consensual penile penetration of the anus or mouth, or knowing it to be likely that such person will be so subjected or disposed of, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

[15/2019]

Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement a kidnapped person

368. Whoever, knowing that any person has been kidnapped or has been abducted, wrongfully conceals or keeps such person in confinement, shall be punished in the same manner as if he had kidnapped or abducted such person with the same intention or knowledge or for the same purpose as that with or for which he conceals or detains such person in confinement.

369. [Repealed by Act 15 of 2019]

Buying or disposing of any person as a slave

370. Whoever imports, exports, removes, buys, sells or disposes of any person as a slave, or accepts, receives or detains against his will any person as a slave, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Habitual dealing in slaves

371. Whoever habitually imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, traffics or deals in slaves, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Selling minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

372. Whoever sells, lets to hire, or otherwise disposes of any person below 21 years of age with intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.—When a female below 21 years of age is sold, let for hire, or otherwise disposed of to a prostitute or to any person who keeps or manages a brothel, the person so disposing of such female shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have disposed of her with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

373. Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any person below 21 years of age with intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.—Any prostitute, or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female below 21 years of age shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

Importing woman for purposes of prostitution, etc.

373A. Whoever —

(a)	by any false pretence, false representation, or fraudulent or deceitful means, brings, or assists in bringing, into Singapore any woman with intent that such woman may be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution;
(b)	brings, or assists in bringing, into Singapore any woman with intent that such woman may be sold or bought for the purpose of prostitution; or
(c)	sells or buys any woman for the purpose of prostitution,

shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Unlawful compulsory labour

374. Whoever unlawfully compels any person to labour against the will of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

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