MDDI Seeks Feedback on Amendments to Public Sector (Governance) Act to Enhance Data Use and Better Serve Singaporeans
12 August 2025
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) launched a public consultation today to seek feedback on proposed amendments to the Public Sector (Governance) Act (PSGA). The amendments aim to enhance the use of data to deliver better services to Singaporeans.
The public consultation will run for three weeks, i.e. till 2 September 2025, 5pm.
Background
The PSGA was introduced in 2018 to strengthen the governance of statutory boards to better deliver services for the benefit of all Singaporeans. The PSGA provides a clear legal basis for data sharing across the public sector under the direction of the Minister, which can be made for seven specific purposes supporting public interest.[1] In addition, the PSGA introduced criminal offences to hold individual public officers responsible and accountable for the proper handling of data.
Proposed Amendments to PSGA
MDDI proposes to amend the PSGA to better support service delivery by authorised external partners that work closely with public sector agencies. The proposed amendments will provide a clear legal basis under existing seven purposes supporting public interest, for public agencies to share data with these partners. To ensure that these authorised external partners use the shared data responsibly, MDDI also intends to put in place proper authorisation and strong safeguards, including new criminal offences.
MDDI is also considering another amendment to clarify that the public sector may use internally the data which they are allowed to share with other public sector agencies, under the same legal basis.
The Government takes seriously its responsibility to protect the data entrusted to the public sector, and will continue to ensure robust data governance and safeguards, as it seeks to achieve greater public value from the use of data.
Public Consultation
MDDI is seeking feedback on these proposed amendments. The full public consultation paper may be viewed at https://go.gov.sg/psgaconsult2025.
Members of the public are invited to submit their views by 2 September 2025, 5pm via https://go.gov.sg/feedbackpsga2025.
[1] These purposes are: (1) to uphold and promote the values of the Singapore public sector; (2) to secure economies or efficiencies for the Singapore public sector; (3) to improve (directly or indirectly) the efficiency or effectiveness of policies, programme management or service planning and delivery by Singapore public sector agencies (whether by carrying out data analytics work or otherwise); (4) to ensure business continuity; (5) to ensure accountable and prudent stewardship of Singapore public sector finances and resources; (6) to manage risks to the financial position of the Government; and/or (7) to support a whole-of-government approach in the discharge of the Singapore public sector agencies’ functions.