What this lesson teaches
I can explain how the government keeps law and order so that people can live safely.
Syllabus K336, Issue 1, Guiding Question 2, Roles of government. Maintains law and order
Make a guess
Police arrests in a town double in one year. What do you think this shows?
- Crime has become worse in the town this year, so it is less safe.
- It is unclear: crime may have risen, or police may be detecting more.
- Law and order has improved, since more offenders are caught.
Show the answer
It is unclear: crime may have risen, or police may be detecting more.
Arrest numbers alone do not show safety. You need other evidence, such as crime reports and whether people feel safe.
Law and order keeps people safe and lets disputes be settled fairly. It needs clear laws, effective enforcement and fair courts.
People need to live and work safely, free from theft, violence and fraud. Laws set out what is not allowed. The police prevent and investigate crime, and courts decide cases. Together, these make daily life safer and more predictable.
The rule of law means everyone must obey the law, including the government. So law and order also means limits on power, and a fair way for people to challenge wrongdoing through the courts. A calm street is not enough if people have no fair way to seek justice.
To explain this role, link a government action to how it protects people or settles disputes fairly. To judge whether it is working, look at safety and access to justice. More arrests could mean more crime, or better detection, so arrest numbers alone do not tell you.
- Rule of law
- Everyone, including the government, must obey the law.
- Law and order
- Safety from harm plus fair ways to settle disputes.
- Evidence
- Arrest numbers alone do not show whether people are safer.
Real examples to use
S Iswaran case, 2024
Investigated by the CPIB, the former Transport Minister was jailed for 12 months on 3 October 2024. Use it for the rule of law: no one is above the law, including ministers.
Protection from Scams Act, 2025
Since 1 July 2025 the Singapore Police Force can restrict a scam target's bank transfers to stop losses. Use it for police protecting people from harm, a key part of law and order.
Worked example: A minister in court, 2024
In 2023 the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) investigated S Iswaran, then the Minister for Transport. He resigned as a minister and MP in January 2024. In September 2024 he pleaded guilty to obtaining valuable items as a public servant and to obstructing justice. On 3 October 2024 the High Court sentenced him to 12 months' jail, almost double what the prosecution had asked for.
- Rule of law: a serving minister was investigated and punished under the same law as anyone else.
- Fair process: he was charged, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by a court, not punished on suspicion alone.
- Outcome: acting even against a minister shows the public that laws apply to everyone, which protects trust in government.
Watch out for this
More arrests always mean law and order has improved.
More arrests could reflect more crime or better detection. Look at how much harm people suffer and whether suspects are treated fairly.
Check your understanding
What does the rule of law mean?
- Everyone, including the government itself, has to act within the law.
- Citizens must follow the law, while officials have wider freedom.
- The police can act as they think best to keep people safe.
Show the answer
Everyone, including the government itself, has to act within the law.
Right. No person or body is above the law.