Counter-terrorism in Singapore

EDUCATION
KEY PLAYERS:
-Public
-Ministry Home Affairs
-Civil Defence Force
-Singapore Armed Forces
-Ministry Of Education

MEASURES:
-Raising public awareness and understanding of the terror threats.
-Strengthening social cohesion and national resilience.

EXAMPLE:
-Continuing Public Education Efforts in Counter-Terrorism.

1.As part of the on-going efforts by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to engage and raise public awareness in the country's counter-terrorism efforts; a one-minute video clip has been produced. The video clip encourages the public to be vigilant while taking the public bus service; and to report any suspicious behaviour.

2. The video clip will be broadcast over Mediacorp Channels 5, 8, Suria, Vasantham and TV Mobile in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, commencing on 26 Dec 2006. In broadcasting the video clip over television, MHA hopes to reach out to a wider audience to bring across the message that everyone has an active role to play in countering the terrorist threat.

EVALUATION:
-Although it is able to reach out to the public and educate them about what they can do, it may not be effective enough to encourage the public to engage in their own roles in countering the terrorist threat.
-This is because the public might have no incentive to "play their roles" in countering terrorist threats as there is no emphasis on their social-responsibility as a citizen.
-Need to emphasize on the importance of playing their own parts to help ensure their safety and security and that the public is able to understand the need to do so.

EXAMPLES:
-Total Defence - in particular Civil Defence

1.There are websites such as http://www.mha.gov.sg/ that provides the public with tips and advice that can better prepare them in handling emergency situations/ countering terrorism. For example, they can learn about basic evacuation procedures, Civil Defence shelters and many more.

2.Furthermore, there is also Total Defence which aims to strengthen the resilience of the nation as it emphasises on the little things that every Singaporean can do that can help contribute his part in protecting Singapore. The government has also put in a lot of effort in raising the public's awareness about Total Defence such as by making an official Total Defence Day.

-Events such as NEMATION to encourage youths to engage in activities that allows them to express their ideas about Singapore and its Total Defence. Simultaneously, they learn from what their own ideas and are able to share it with the public as well.

-Commemoration events such as Total Defence25 that remembers Singapore's efforts in Total Defence for the past 25 years allows the public to be exposed to Total Defence efforts and its importance.

EVALUATION:
-Total Defence is something that seems well-recognised in the public which shows that 0Singapore has successfully raise its awareness on Total Defence.
-This is because all the government-aided schools in Singapore commemorate Total Defence Day on 15th February each year.
-Total Defence celebration is part of National Education which is held in schools for children to learn and understand about Total Defence. Furthermore, a lot of advertisement has been put in place to raise the public's awareness on Total Defence.

VIGILANCE
KEY PLAYERS:
-Ministry of Home Affairs
-Singapore Police Force

MEASURES:
-Given the limits of security resources, we have to first focus on the key areas like key installations and border security. In this regard, we are guided by threat assessments which are found on an analysis of trends and available intelligence.
-Secondly, where necessary, we will provide a security cover over as much areas of vulnerability as possible, even if this effort sometimes border on being over-cautious.
-As such, when incidents occur abroad like in Beslan, these examples are closely studied and even though there may be no intelligence indicating a similar targeting in Singapore, we may decide to pro-actively adjust security measures in these areas if practicable and appropriate.

PROSECUTION
KEY PLAYERS 1:
-Internal Security Department(ISD)

MEASURES 1:
-Singapore does not have a law specifically prohibiting "terrorist acts" and has no intentions to draft one. However, there are harsh penalties such as caning or death – for offences such as hijacking, kidnapping and murder.

-Besides allowing for indefinite detention without trial, the Internal Security Act prohibits the development of a group using physical force to promote a political goal. Singapore also has tight regulations on arm trafficking to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons.

-The Internal Security Act (ISA) of Singapore confers on the government the right to arrest and detain individuals without trial in certain defined circumstances.

EXAMPLES 1:
-In August 2002, another 21 members of Jemaah Islamiyah were arrested, demolishing JI's Singaporean cell. Arrests were also made in Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
-As of 11 November 2005, 36 alleged members of JI or the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were being detained under the Internal Security Act.

KEYPLAYERS 2:
-Counter-Terrorist Specialised Units (Armed)
-Singapore Special Operations Force.
-Special Operations Command.
-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group.

MEASURES 2:
-The Singapore Special Operations Force and other specialised units are well trained to deal with terrorism.

EXAMPLES 2:
-In 1991,they successfully dealt with the hijacking of Singapore Airlines Flight 117 by killing all four terrorists while saving everyone else.

EVALUATION 2:
-The Singapore Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Anti-Terrorism works with various ministries to ensure Singapore law complies with international legal instruments against terrorism.
-Singapore is a party to international anti-terrorism treaties such as the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism as well as United Nations Resolution 1373.

ADDING POWER TO MILITARY
KEYPLAYERS:
-Singapore Armed Forces(SAF)

MEASURES:
-In May 2007, the parliament passed an amendment to the SAF Act, giving additional powers to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
-A selected group of about 2,000 SAF personnel will be trained to perform security operations in designated areas. These personnel, identified by a Military Security identification card, will be able to search, detain and use reasonable force against terror suspects.