S'pore second-safest country in Asia

In its order and security category, the US-based World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2014 praised the island-state for its low crime levels, absence of political violence and confidence in law enforcement authorities.

Singapore also rose from third to second spot – behind Finland – for its criminal justice system.

The WJP describes the rule of law as “a system of rules and rights that enables fair and functioning societies”. It surveyed the 99 countries on eight factors and gave a combined overall ranking in which Singapore was 10th, the highest-ranking Asian country with Japan next in 12th place. Singapore also featured in the top 10 countries for its civil justice system, anti-corruption levels and regulatory enforcement capabilities. It was rated within the top 30 in relation to fundamental human rights, openness of government and checks and balances.

The survey was based on more than 100,000 household and expert surveys that measure how the rule of law is experienced in everyday life around the world.

TSMP Law’s Stefanie Yuen Thio, who served as one of Singapore’s resource persons on the project, said finishing second to Japan on order and security was “not significant” as the two countries’ scores were so close.

“We are a city state on a small island with a high concentration of population per square metre,” she said. “The fact we ranked so highly in this area is something we can and should be proud of, and continue to build on.”

The Singaporean Ministry of Law said: “We see value in the WJP Rule of Law Index as a tool that measures a nation’s adherence to the rule of law based on the perceptions of experts and the general public.”

The WJP said its study was assessed through 44 indicators organised around eight themes: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.