Seeing double (or triple) when it comes to certain public agencies and you just can’t tell apart? While they may appear very similar, each of these units has distinct roles.

LTA vs TP

While both agencies work to keep us safe on the road, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) also looks after public transport commuters and the land transport network whereas the Traffic Police (TP) only works with road users.

LTA: Policies, Technology, and Strategy for Road and Rail Transport

The LTA resides under the Ministry of Transport. It manages policy, technology and strategies for an efficient land transport system. Under the LTA, Singapore’s land transport network has made huge strides from the rickshaws and unreliable bus services of the early 1900s to having more than 160km of expressways and 200km of MRT lines today.

TP: Enforces Road Traffic Laws and Ensures Road Safety

The TP is part of the larger Singapore Police Force, which resides under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The TP enforces road traffic rules to maintain law and order on the roads. They investigate road traffic accidents (that result in injuries or fatalities) as well as serious traffic violations, and formulate traffic policies. The TP sets training standards for the driving schools, and administers the driving tests (theory and practical) before issuing driving licences to the public. They also regularly educate and engage the community to raise road safety awareness through road safety campaigns, events and dialogues.

ICA vs Singapore Customs

At our checkpoints, you may encounter officers from both the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs. Both agencies collaborate to facilitate smooth cross-border travel and trade.

ICA: Safeguards Our Borders, and Administers Immigration and Registration Services

The ICA, under the MHA, enforces laws and regulations relating to immigration and registration.

At Singapore’s checkpoints, the agency is responsible for securing Singapore’s borders against the entry of undesirable people and cargo through the 26 land, air and sea checkpoints across the island.

Besides border security, ICA also facilitates the smooth and efficient movement of legitimate goods and travellers across our borders to keep Singapore connected to the world.

The agency also administers immigration and registration services, such as issuing passports and identity cards to Singapore citizens, and immigration passes and permits to foreigners.

Singapore Customs: Protects Revenue and Facilitates Trade

Singapore Customs, under the Ministry of Finance (MOF), protects revenue arising from duties and taxes, and facilitates trade. This means ensuring that everyone – from travellers to traders – correctly and completely declares and pays the excise and customs duties on dutiable goods, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imported goods.

Singapore Customs also administers customs-related schemes within its trade framework.

From deterring and detecting tax evasion to ensuring compliance with customs regulations, Singapore Customs promotes trade facilitation and ensures supply chain security. It also works closely with key stakeholders to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global trade hub.

Public Defender's Office vs Legal Aid Bureau

What’s similar: Both are divisions under the Ministry of Law that offer legal services to Singapore citizens and permanent residents with limited means.

What’s different: The scope of aid and the cases they take on differ. The Public Defender's Office (PDO) provides criminal defence aid for accused persons who face non-capital criminal charges. The Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) provides legal advice, aid and assistance to persons involved in civil and family cases.

PDO: Helps Defendants in Criminal Cases

With the establishment of the PDO in December 2022, criminal defence aid coverage was expanded to benefit more vulnerable Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

The Public Defenders from the PDO are full-time public officers employed under the Ministry of Law. Similar to a defence counsel, they advise clients on their legal options for the case and represent them in court to seek the best legal outcomes.

LAB: Provides Legal Advice, Aid and Assistance in Civil and Family Cases

The LAB was set up in July 1958. The lawyers under the LAB provide legal advice to applicants, assistance in drafting legal documents such as wills and deeds of separation, and legal aid by representing applicants in court for civil and family cases. Unlike the PDO, the LAB does not provide representation for criminal matters.

The LAB works with a network of volunteer private lawyers who are passionate about offering their legal expertise to help less privileged Singapore citizens and residents.

AGC vs AGD vs AGO

Though they have very similar acronyms, these “triplets” fulfil very different functions within the Public Service.

Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC): An organ of state and plays an important role in safeguarding the public interest and upholding the rule of law in Singapore. It is led by the Attorney-General, who serves as the Public Prosecutor, Legal Adviser to the Government, the Drafter of Laws and Protector of Charities.

Accountant-General’s Department (AGD): A department under the MOF. It is headed by the Accountant-General (the “Chief Financial Officer” of the Singapore Government) who has statutory roles in protecting our reserves and the supervision and administration of the Government accounting system.

The AGD takes on all the public finance and finance workforce development functions for the entire public sector. It also provides internal audit services to public agencies to help them strengthen their governance and internal controls.

Auditor-General’s Office (AGO): An independent organ of state. It does not report to any Ministry or Minister. The AGO audits give assurance to the President and Parliament on the proper accounting, management and use of public resources. Its audit findings are published annually in the Auditor-General's Annual Report.

Related Stories:

• 23 Things Public Officers Should Know
• Glossary of Public Service Terms, A-Z
• Learn the Tunes of These Unsung Public Agencies
• Public Agency Units That Keep Us Thriving, Part 2