SINGAPORE, Oct. 20 -- Singapore's reputation as one of the world's safest countries has long rested on its tough stance against crime - and the government now wants to go even further.

Under proposed changes to the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, scammers and their accomplices could face caning, while offenders who fatally abuse vulnerable victims could be jailed for life.

According to The Straits Times, the new measures reflect the Home Affairs Ministry's bid to strengthen deterrence amid rising scams and disturbing abuse cases that have shocked the public.

If passed, the Bill will make caning mandatory for scammers, syndicate members and recruiters, with penalties ranging from six to 24 s...