Write your answers in not more than 4,000 words. Please remember to provide the word count, and a list of references. Be sure to use appropriate and academic sources, including your course materials.
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 was passed by Singapore’s parliament on 7
April 2020. The ‘Circuit-Breaker’ period coupled with these laws brought about a range of
measures that were new and unfamiliar to many. There were a few local cases of opposition to
some of the measures, as well as instances of vigilantism and public shaming of transgressors.
The enforcement and sentencing of offenders also became a matter of public interest, in both
mainstream and alternative media.
Globally in some countries, opposition to social distancing and lockdowns was far more vocal
and organised than in Singapore. This resulted in some far-right movements citing these
measures as another example of increasing government repression and violation of their basic
rights.
The crux of the debate has been on apparent overreactions and economic concerns. Read the
following two articles to get a sensing of the type of protests being waged against lockdowns
and social distancing measures in the West.
“The far right hates liberals, government and the media – and now, quarantines” (available at
“Coronavirus lockdown protest: What’s behind the US demonstrations?” (available at
a) Conduct your own research into the origins of Singapore’s laws and measures on social
distancing and contrast this against similar laws in another country in which there was
significant opposition to these laws. In instances of opposition, what societal factors
contributed to opposition of these laws by some segments of society?
Apply three distinct criminological approaches to help explain the differing measures
taken and corresponding societal reactions.
Your answer needs to be based on evidence, not anecdotes or opinions. Cite actual
examples of approaches taken, credible surveys and statistics, engagement strategies or
measures put in place. Illustrate how your criminological perspective helps explain the
measures taken by the state, public reactions and modes of adaptation to any strain.
(40 marks)
b) Read this article by Mathew Mathews and Shamil Zainuddin: “The pandemic, moral panic
and ‘folk devils’” (available at <https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-pandemic[1]moral-panic-and-folk-devils>)
There were instances of vigilantism and moral panic against some segments of the
population in Singapore who were made into ‘folk devils’. Appraise the effectiveness of
measures used to stem such reactions. Explain how techniques of neutralisation can be
used by the perpetrators to warrant such vigilantism and justify moral panics. (30 marks)
c) Evaluate how alternative news and social media portrayed instances of societal conflict
and crime trends during the epidemic. Identify what made this alternative narrative
‘newsworthy’ and persuasive. Using reports and statistics about shifting crime trends
during the COVID-19 pandemic, hypothesise how crime trends in Singapore will
transform if the pandemic were to carry on for a few years. You should base your
hypothesising on how crime prevention measures have tried to take into account new
criminogenic environments and displacements. (30 marks)
Please use the notes attached to assist in answering.
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