Tony Tan Keng Yam
Singapore
“One of the problems which they have in Britain is that, up to recently, they have no means to stop people coming into Britain and preaching in their mosques messages of hate, jihad and violence. Here, MUIS monitors our mosques very carefully, what is being preached at Friday prayers.”
“Sir, I am not going to enter into a debate about whether the war in Iraq is justified or not. That is another issue. But I would say, Sir, that with all the measures which have been taken over the last three years since 9/11, including the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the arrest of the Al Qaeda leaders, the detention of the JI lea…”
“Sir, we are extending the CCTV coverage in our bus stations, MRT stations and other places in Singapore where people congregate. It is a part of life now. For example, at our MRT stations, all our CCTV cameras are those where the films are recorded and we can analyse them. Surveillance is one of the effective ways of deterring terrorism.”
“The Muslim community in the UK has contributed to the healing process and has worked hard with the other communities to strengthen the moderate voice of Islam.”
“I would say again, Sir, that what we should do is when you see something which is suspicious, if you see a bag which is left unattended, report to some authority. We will look into it. We have to. And I am glad that we are getting more reports today, be vigilant.”
“It could reach here. We have to live with it. We support the war in Iraq. We believe that it is good for us to join the coalition led by the US against terror. The fight against terror is worldwide. We cannot opt out by not taking part. We are in it. We must continue whatever the difficulties.”
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“Sir, I will just make one general point, and that is in a multi-racial society like Singapore, we must use every means possible in order to foster more integration among our races, particularly among our young people and, wherever it is possible to do so, we should encourage such activities so that communities would have a better understanding of each other. That is why, while we understand that each religious group and each community will have some activities which they would prefer to do on their own in public places, in schools, for example, we should foster integration as much as possible, and I agree with Mr Inderjit Singh on that point. But, as to whether if we do all these, if other societies do all these, if we look into the problems of poverty, this will remove the terrorist threat, that is still to be debated, because the analysis so far is that it goes beyond social problems. It has an illogical, perverse religious inspiration, and no amount of attention to social problems can remove that, although attention to social problems may help to alleviate or perhaps turn people away from the path of radicalism.”
“Sir, the Minister for Education is in this House and I am sure that he has listened to the point which Dr Geh Min has said so eloquently. If the Minister would like to reply, he can do so. Or, if Dr Geh Min could file a Question for Oral Answer, I am sure the Minister would give her a comprehensive reply. Mr Inderjit Singh: But, Sir, I think this is an important area that should be under the purview of the Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence. If we look at the Pakistani boys who were born and bred in London and they could not perhaps integrate and could then be cultivated for such terrorist acts, my fear is, not today but down the road, if our children are not cultivated to integrate with one another. And it is a real problem, particularly when we talk to the minorities. I was just discussing with Mdm Cynthia Phua that my daughter was asked to form a study group in her school in Cedar Secondary. All her group members were Indians, and I worry about this because I thought that she should have had a mixed group. And this is not an isolated story. There are many incidents like this. I hope that Members will bring up their experiences. Perhaps it is not just a matter for the Ministry of Education, but it is a security issue.”
“Sir, I am not going to enter into a debate about whether the war in Iraq is justified or not. That is another issue. But I would say, Sir, that with all the measures which have been taken over the last three years since 9/11, including the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the arrest of the Al Qaeda leaders, the detention of the JI leaders here, breaking up of cells, on the whole, the world is a safer place today than in 2001, and it is because of the fact that the world is now alert to this threat of terrorism and it is a world-wide fight across many sectors, dimensions and areas. It is not a fight where you can isolate it in one territory. It is not a fight which is external. It is a fight which is everywhere, including in our midst, and that is why eradicating terrorism is going to take a long time, possibly two or three generations, and we must be prepared for this long struggle. That is life.”
“Sir, we are extending the CCTV coverage in our bus stations, MRT stations and other places in Singapore where people congregate. It is a part of life now. For example, at our MRT stations, all our CCTV cameras are those where the films are recorded and we can analyse them. Surveillance is one of the effective ways of deterring terrorism. We have to expand this to areas where many Singaporeans go to in order to travel or to get together for meals and recreation. We cannot, of course, have a system where the whole of Singapore is under surveillance. So, one has to have a judicious balance between the needs for security and respecting the privacy of Singaporeans. That is a difficult decision which all societies in the world have to make today.”
“Sir, I would say that just the fact that we have had no bombs in Singapore shows that our border controls work.”
“Members would know, people are arrested and detained, and it is necessary but it is a continuous job, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and this monitoring has to go on and we have to be very grateful to all our security people, ie, the police, ISD, SAF, SID, the people in our National Security Coordination Secretariat for the effort which they have made to keep Singapore safe, and I think that we cannot continue to do so without the help of Members to mobilise the public. This is not a job for the Government alone. This is a job for all Singaporeans.”
“Sir, let me take Mdm Halimah's question first. With regard to this suspect, Mr Took, who is accused of murdering Huang Na and who just strolled across the causeway, yes, that was a breach of border control. This should never have happened, and that this is something which our immigration authorities would have to tighten up. It is something which we will have to look into. As to whether the segregation situation in Beeston contributed to the radicalisation of these Muslims, it is possible. But, as I said, the three young men were regarded as well-adjusted British people. They played cricket, they integrated well. One of them had British girlfriends, much to the worry of his parents, and yet he could be radicalised. Here, in Singapore, Sir, we are very conscious that there should not be segregation of the races, and that is why in our housing estates, CCs and all our activities, we encourage all the races to mix together, and I am happy that in our mosques as well, our mosque leaders and community reach out to other communities, and the more that we can participate in such activities the better. Let me just give a plug for brisk-walking. I think that is a good example where early this month we had an exercise and 5,000 people of all races and ages could take part in such an activity. And I think this helps to create understanding and we should do more. It may appear trivial but it is not. It is a way in which one community or race can be comfortable with another, and we should never neglect this. It is very important. As to whether we are monitoring people who have been to Pakistan and come back and what we are doing about them, the answer is, yes, we have a very efficient ISD. They monitor such people and that is why, from time to time, as hon.”
“I would say again, Sir, that what we should do is when you see something which is suspicious, if you see a bag which is left unattended, report to some authority. We will look into it. We have to. And I am glad that we are getting more reports today, be vigilant. I saw a programme on television where they conducted a test and left a bag in Raffles Place, and two people who were alarmed from it were two foreigners - two American women - because they have been used to an attack. To be safe, do not wait until an attack in Singapore. After that, everybody will be vigilant, but it would be too late.”
“Unfortunately, the fact that terrorist attacks do take place, for example, on July 7th in London, the place which is familiar to many Singaporeans, brings home the message to all Singaporeans that, today, no one is immune from the terror threat. So keep at it, reinforce our resilience, strengthen our security, and we will prevail.”
“Sir, as to whether we are conducting anti-terrorism drills in MRT stations and bus interchanges, the answer is yes. We are already doing so. We have conducted such drills in order to guard against terrorists and also to prepare our people to know what to do if there should be a terrorist attack in our MRT station or in a bus interchange. I think one of the lessons which we can learn from Britian is that practice does work. In Britain, they have, what you call, the Civil Contingency Secretariat which has practised this scenario again and again. What happens if there is a terrorist attack in a subway station, and that is why when it happened, all the systems went into place. There was no panic. People were evacuated, rescued, and life went back to normal within a day. That is what we have to do in Singapore, and we have practised the scenario, not only in the case of one terrorist attack at one MRT station, but the possibility of simultaneous attacks in many stations. We have to prepare for the worst. Only by preparing for the worst, can we ensure that we will not be caught off-guard. What can we do to prepare Singaporeans for a terrorist attack? Singaporeans must be ready. The message must get through and it is here that Members of the House can assist by participating in the exercises conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Police, in order to prepare Singaporeans psychologically so that they will not panic. MHA, for example, has this very useful initiative of distributing, what you call, 'Be Ready' bags in all the constituencies - bags which have got a radio, a torch and some medicines. That is a useful psychological reminder to Singaporeans of the world in which we now live and the danger possibly in our midst. But we have to keep at it all the time.”
“It could reach here. We have to live with it. We support the war in Iraq. We believe that it is good for us to join the coalition led by the US against terror. The fight against terror is worldwide. We cannot opt out by not taking part. We are in it. We must continue whatever the difficulties. Ultimately, the civilised world will win out. The moderate Muslims will know that they cannot tolerate this radical minority in their midst. Otherwise, Muslims throughout the world will be marginalised and regarded with suspicion. That cannot be so. We must win this war. There is no choice.”
“Sir, with regard to the point about monitoring of Singaporeans who may have gone to madrasahs in Pakistan and be radicalised, yes, we try to keep track of who goes there. But we are a free society. So we cannot be sure of everybody. We do know that there are Singaporeans who have gone to some madrasahs, or religious schools, in a neighbouring country and from there went on to Pakistan. We have to depend very much on feedback from relatives and friends about such activities. And in fact, Sir, it was a tip-off from a member of the public about a particular Muslim Singaporean who had gone to Afghanistan for training that led us to the arrest of the 31 Jemaah Islamiyah extremists in December 2001. We cannot control the movements of Singaporeans. We keep watch on them. We try and make sure that we know who goes where. But for the other places, they can go to the southern Philippines to be radicalised. As to whether the bomb blasts in London were due to the involvement of Britain in the war in Iraq, there is no conclusive proof that one is linked to the other. There is no proof that if Britain had not joined the war in Iraq, there would be no bomb blast. Sir, the agenda of the terrorists is not with regard to any particular incident or war. What they want is to overthrow the present international world order in which all of us are party and replace it by an Islamic caliphate, to bring Islam back to the practices of the 6th or 7th Century, to overthrow the open society in which all of us live in, and to close up the religion, be exclusive. Anybody who does not conform to the practices and beliefs of the radical Islam is a kafir, an infidel, and is therefore a fair target to be murdered. Sir, this is a murderous ideology. But it is real. It is not over there.”
“One of the problems which they have in Britain is that, up to recently, they have no means to stop people coming into Britain and preaching in their mosques messages of hate, jihad and violence. Here, MUIS monitors our mosques very carefully, what is being preached at Friday prayers. I think in that way, we can help perhaps to moderate the possibility of an attack happening in Singapore. But I stress again, despite all the measures which we have been taking, and we are taking, we cannot give a 100% guarantee that there will not be an attack in Singapore. We have to be prepared. Winning the war on terrorism does not mean that there will not be an attack. We have to live with terror today. This is a stark message which all of us are confronted with. Our security agencies are working hard. We have a sound strategic framework which we have implemented. Our people are on the alert. We need to be vigilant all the time and we will prevail over terrorism. London has prevailed, so must we.”
“On the 31 Jemaah Islamiyah extremists whom we arrested in December 2001 and interrogated, the most worrying thing about these extremists is that they were so ordinary. All of them were fully employed. Some of them had served in our Singapore Armed Forces. None of them could be regarded as being ill-treated. Why should they be prepared, if we have not got them, to carry out attacks, deeds which would have killed not only Americans, foreigners, but many of their own friends and some of their own relatives? Sir, this is a difficult question to answer. I will not try to do it here. When you talk about religion, you are reaching into the innermost recesses of a person's personality. We have to understand this. We are working with our counterparts in other countries to try and understand it. We are exchanging intelligence. There is a new mood sweeping this Islamic world. That is why the Singapore Muslim identity project, initiated by MUIS and the other Muslim leaders in Singapore, is so important. One theory is that people, like the London bombers, are, in a sense, empty vessels. They had no religious ballast at all. They were empty, and, being empty vessels, when they met a radical mentor, it was easier to pour poison into their minds. It is a theory. Possible? We have to see whether this is true. But it comes back to the point that in the case of our own Muslim community in Singapore, we must make sure that they have got a sound religious foundation. That way, there will be some protection against an external radical preacher being able to influence them. But that is not a 100% guarantee. There is no 100% guarantee. We can take certain steps in order to reduce this probability.”
“Sir, Dr Wang Kai Yuen has asked a question as to whether terrorism can be internal as well as external. The answer is yes. Terrorism can be in our midst. It is not something far away. It can be something which is home-grown. Three of the four people who blew themselves up in a bomb attack in London were born in Britain, British citizens. None of them were poor. All of them had jobs. They were well adjusted. Dr Wang has asked: why should well-adjusted young men be prepared to be radicalised, carry out terrible acts, kill themselves, kill other people, to pursue an evil objective? Sir, this is a fundamental question which the world is asking. What is it that can inspire young men and also young women in the Middle East to give up their lives is a scenario which is difficult to understand. What do they gain from it? What do they believe? The psychological profile of suicide bombers in Britain and other countries is a surprising one. These suicide bombers are not people who are devout, who know Islam, who have studied the religion. Quite often, as with the four suicide bombers in London, they are ordinary citizens - people who have jobs, people who mix with other communities. One of the bombers loved to play cricket; another one worked in his father's fish and chips shop. None of them were the type of people whom you might regard as people prepared to give up their lives, but they had been to Afghanistan or Pakistan. They had been radicalised by somebody who could twist their minds. One of them in fact was, according to the papers, somewhat of a playboy and a worry to his parents because he was not serious. But a visit to a terrorist camp, an extremist group, in Pakistan changed him. He became devoutly religious. He was born again, but for an evil purpose.”
“The Muslim community in the UK has contributed to the healing process and has worked hard with the other communities to strengthen the moderate voice of Islam. Since 9-11, my colleagues and I have worked to upgrade the physical security protective measures in Singapore, review the strategic framework that facilitates greater coordination across Government agencies and cooperation internationally, raise the public's awareness and enhance our collective resilience. However, we must be prepared for a long struggle. The fight against terror cannot be left to the Government alone. The nation must come together and stand up to the threat facing us. Only through sustained vigilance and unity can we secure our safety and security.”
“A Muslim community's denunciation of radical Islamic groups that perpetrate acts of terrorism will help other communities see that Islam is a religion of peace, that the vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving and that Islam should not be tarnished by the acts of a small radical minority. This will help mitigate any backlash in the event of a terrorist attack. In this connection, I welcome the statements by MUIS and other Muslim groups in Singapore denouncing the attacks in London. Conclusion We have been fortunate that there have been no attacks on Singapore. But we cannot be complacent. Our security agencies cannot be everywhere. The people of Singapore play a critical role in partnership with the Government to keep Singapore safe and secure. They do so in three important ways. First, our people are the eyes and ears and the extended reach of our security agencies. In this regard, I would like to urge all members of the public to continue to be vigilant and to report suspicious articles, persons or activities to the security agencies. Second, our people are the arms and legs of the emergency response agencies. Singaporeans should take an active interest in life-saving skills and participate in emergency response exercises organised in their neighbourhoods and constituencies. Third, our people are the hearts and minds of the country. The psychological resilience of Singaporeans and the unity and harmony among the different communities are crucial to see Singapore through crises. We can learn from the example set by Londoners in how they reacted and responded to the terrorist attacks of 7th July. They have remained resilient and defiant in the face of terrorism, and they have achieved a remarkable recovery.”
“Some of these lessons have broader, universal appeal, for example, tolerance of diversity and the need to adapt one's religious life to the unique context of the society and the state we live in. Sir, in May, I joined Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Minister Yaacob and President MUIS, Alami Musa, on a visit to Egypt and Turkey to have a first-hand look at the practice of Islam in these two countries. Egypt, and in particular Al-Azhar University in Cairo, is the cradle of Islamic scholarship and an icon of Islamic learning. Our visit to Egypt and our meetings with the Grand Mufti Dr Ali Jummah and Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Sheikh Tantawi reinforced the message of religious leaders in Singapore that Islam, as a religion of peace, is tolerant of diversity and is progressive and inclusive. I would encourage MUIS to share its observations of the Egyptian and Turkish Muslim communities with the public and of how the visits have helped to reaffirm the validity of key principles in the Singapore Muslim identity. In general, the message that is conveyed by the Islamic scholars and leaders in these two countries (Egypt and Turkey) is that each Muslim community has to decide on the unique way in which it should lead its religious life. Singapore's context of a multi-religious society and a modern, globalised and secular state is unique. It exerts an influence over the religious life of the Muslim community. A Muslim community's integration with other communities in a secular state is key to reducing suspicion and mistrust.”
“The fourth was an immigrant of Jamaican descent. Let me say categorically at this point that terrorism has nothing to do with the true faith of Islam. I cannot agree more with Prime Minister Tony Blair when he said, and I quote, "Fanaticism is not a state of religion but a state of mind." Let us not dignify these murderers, for this is what they are, by associating them with any great religious faith of the world. At the same time, we should not take the strength of our social fabric for granted until it has been tested by fire. In the wake of an attack, a backlash against our Muslim community could split our country and lay to waste the decades of hard work we have put in into nurturing racial and religious harmony and in building up social resilience. All Singaporeans must be sensitive to this concern. For example, in the wake of the London bomb blasts, several arson attacks against Muslim targets were reported in various parts of the UK, and the Muslim Council of Britain and Muslims in the UK received hate mail and threats. The Singapore Muslim community has made great strides in forging a unique Muslim identity shaped by a deep conviction in Islam and fostered by Singapore's unique context of a pluralistic and progressive society and a globalised and secular state. The Singapore Muslim identity is rooted in the principle that Muslims faithful to Islam can play an important and integrative role as active citizens in a secular Singapore. MUIS and other Malay/Muslim leaders are taking the lead in forging the Singapore Muslim identity. They will draw from the lessons we have learnt from the experiences of other Muslim communities. We will apply these lessons carefully as they relate to the context of the Singapore Muslim community.”
“Even with the best preparation and the most comprehensive security measures, an attack is possible and can take place without specific warning. How we conduct ourselves in the aftermath of a terrorist attack will be a major test of our national resilience and our mettle as a people. We need to remain resolute in the face of terrorism. The people of London have proven to be tenacious and unyielding. Time and again, we have seen how important the resilience of our people is in the face of an attack. This is best epitomised by the reactions of many Londoners. When asked about how they are coping with the terrorist attack, one Londoner put it this way, "I think the idea is to get back to normal as quickly as possible. That's the best way to show them [the terrorists] it isn't going to work." The response of the whole British society - the victims and their families, the British people, the emergency responders, the media, Government and politicians - all rallied and refused to be cowed by the terrorists. London will prevail. So too must Singapore. The reactions and responses of Singaporeans to the terrorist attacks in London are encouraging. They now recognise that security measures, which were previously regarded as onerous, are now a necessary fact of life. Many supported the widening of security measures to protect Singapore. Social Cohesion and Religious Tolerance Sir, social cohesion across various ethnic and religious groups in Singapore is an integral part of our national resilience as a nation. We should be alert to the impact of a terrorist attack on the social fabric of our nation. The British authorities have identified the perpetrators of the London blasts and they are four young, Muslim British citizens. Three of them were born in Britain of Pakistani descent.”
“In the immediate aftermath of the London bomb blasts on July 7th, our Police HQ Command Post quickly initiated action by police units. Police patrols were stepped up at all MRT stations. The MRT operators increased the number of checks done on commuters. As London and other cities implement more measures to detect and prevent terrorist attacks, we must do likewise. For example, we are planning the deployment of Explosive Detection Dog teams at MRT stations to carry out surprise checks. We will also install CCTV at bus interchanges for better surveillance. National Resilience Sir, the London attack underlines the point that no one is immune from the threat of transnational terrorism. The UK Government has a robust security architecture and professional service in dealing with terrorism. Yet, even a city as hardened and prepared as London became victim to terrorist attacks. The next target could well be Singapore. I would like to urge all Singaporeans to be psychologically prepared, and vigilant. I am glad to note that, in recent months, there has been an increase in the number of reports made to our security agencies by members of the public about suspicious activities and bags left unattended. It shows that our people can be alert when jolted out of their comfort zone. This does not mean that we should live in fear or that we should be paranoid about every single item left unattended in public places. Rather, it is about taking ownership of our well-being. We must share the conviction that together we can defeat any attacks against us. As I have often said, Sir, fighting terror is not just the Government's fight. It is Singapore's fight against terrorism. But winning the fight against terrorism does not mean that there will not be an attack.”
“Post 9-11, we have stepped up security measures across all our major sectors, including our public security systems. Even before the April 2004 Madrid train attacks, MHA, MOT and LTA, together with our security agencies, have been progressively enhancing the security of our public transport systems and hardening its infrastructure. In April last year, we formed the Public Transport Security Committee to study what other measures could be taken to protect our commuters' safety. Since then, even more has been done to strengthen the security of our MRT and bus networks. Our security agencies have been working with the public transport providers since the Madrid bomb blasts of March 2004 to prevent an attack on our trains and buses and to prepare them to deal with an incident, if one should occur. Our Internal Security Department (ISD) has no specific intelligence to indicate terrorist attacks in Singapore are about to take place. But we should bear in mind that the Jemaah Islamiyah had previously planned to attack MRT stations here. This makes the work of the Public Transport Security Committee critical. The Committee monitors prevailing security threats to Singapore's public transport system and enhances existing security measures. The Committee has since August 2004 developed plans to deploy transit security guards to MRT stations and bus interchanges. A Police MRT unit has been set up and will be deployed from August 2005. CCTV coverage for MRT stations and trains will continue to be enhanced. An MRT security audit framework has been implemented. We are continuing efforts to boost commuter vigilance and are conducting exercises to validate contingency plans in a multiple simultaneous attack scenario.”
“On various occasions in this House and at dialogue sessions, I have explained how the terrorist threat today is qualitatively different from the terrorist threat of the past, and hence requires a different and strategic response. We live in a different world today. Globalisation is a fact of life that we cannot escape. Indeed, globalisation must be embraced if we are to benefit from the globally interconnected economy. But there is a dark side to globalisation as well - a transnational terrorism that operates on the same autonomous global networking. The terrorist threat today comprises a network of cells, groups and individuals residing in many countries linked often by personal friendship, inspired by a common extremist ideology and galvanised into deadly action usually by a radical mentor. This is a new challenge in the realm of security which all countries in the world have to confront today. On May 16th, I spoke to Members of this House about the broad range of measures the Government has instituted across sectors, such as aviation security, maritime security, cyber security and border control, and the steps we have taken to strengthen our critical infrastructure and protect Singapore against chemical, biological, radiological and explosives threats. Today, I would like to brief Members on the measures that the Government has taken to protect Singapore's transportation system against a terrorist threat. The Government stepped up the security of our public transportation network as a precaution immediately after the attacks in London took place. The National Security Coordination Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office worked with agencies in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Transport to review and enhance our security measures where necessary.”
“We were impressed by the swift and well-co-ordinated response of the emergency agencies in the immediate aftermath of the incident and by the determination of Prime Minister Tony Blair and the British Government to return London to a state of normalcy. Within four hours of the attack, all the survivors had been evacuated and the London public transport system had been shut down. Government officials held joint press conferences and gave systematic updates on the situation to calm the public. By the next morning, July 8th, most of the light railway and surface rail had resumed operations in East London and buses had begun to run. Roads, previously closed, had re-opened except for those in the immediate vicinity of the attacks. The underground rail network also resumed partial operations but with added security measures, such as sniffer dogs and extra patrols. The July 7th attack underscores the persistence of the global menace of transnational terrorism. While many key operatives of the terrorist network of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates have been arrested over the last few years, the threat has not been eliminated. Instead, Al-Qaeda has morphed into a loose franchise of terror inspiring the emergence of new groups of fanatics. The London attack confirmed that all countries in the world, including Singapore, face a clear and present threat of terrorism. Our common fight against transnational terrorism must continue. It will be a long struggle and we need to be prepared for a protracted campaign. Security Measures Over the last few years, my colleagues and I have been actively thinking and working to reduce the likelihood of such terrorist attacks occurring in Singapore. The terrorist threat we face is not ordinary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, eleven days ago, on July 7th, terrorists attacked London. The facts of the London bomb blasts are now known. Four separate bombs, three in the subways and one on a bus, went off almost simultaneously. The casualty toll stands at more than 50 dead and over 800 injured. In Singapore, we were doubly shocked by the attack. First, it struck against a city and a country that had taken the terrorist threat seriously and prepared for it. Second, it struck London less than a day after that city was selected, in Singapore, to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Given the sophistication of the attack, it was clear that the preparations for the attack must have required much effort and planning. In targeting the London transport system at peak hour, the attack was clearly intended to cause maximum casualties, disruption and chaos. We do not know why the terrorists timed the attack that day, but the attack appears to have been timed to coincide with the opening of the G8 Summit in order to create maximum publicity. Sir, the attack on London was a wicked act by evil men. We condemn this cruel and ultimately senseless act. We are deeply saddened by the loss of many innocent lives. The Government and the people of Singapore have conveyed our deepest sympathies to the people of London and the United Kingdom. Singapore also conveyed its strong support for Britain in the fight against terror. In this hour of darkness, the British people showed courage and resilience. We applaud the efforts of the UK government in managing the consequences of the attack.”
“CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 36 of the 2001 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Manpower (Dr Ng Eng Hen); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Sir, we cannot over-emphasise the threat which faces Singapore and all countries in the world today. Transnational terrorism is a most immediate and significant threat to all civilised societies today. Yes, we know all the measures which we have taken are difficult. But they are necessary. And, in fact, rather than panicking Singaporeans and foreigners, they are a key asset of Singapore. Many companies now base their operations in Singapore because their executives feel that Singapore is safe, that their operations and their plants will not be bombed, that their managers and expatriates can live in Singapore safely, send their children to schools in Singapore and not worry about having a bomb. So, I do not think that you can over-exaggerate the importance of having these security issues. It is not a burden on Singapore. It is an asset for Singapore today. BILLS INTRODUCED COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Copyright Act (Chapter 63 of the 1999 Revised Edition)", presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law (Prof. S Jayakumar); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. TOWN COUNCILS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Town Councils Act (Chapter 329A of the 2000 Revised Edition) and to make related amendments to the Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 36 of the 2001 Revised Edition) and the Housing and Development Act (Chapter 129 of the 2004 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Mah Bow Tan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Sir, my answer to Mr Low's question is a very simple one. The threat is real. Singapore is a prime target for terrorists. I do not think that we should be complacent or we should hide the fact. If we do not keep up our guard, if we let our guard down, the terrorists will strike, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not this year or next year, but they will strike one of these days. And I do not see this situation improving over the next two or three years. This is a long-term threat. You are faced with an enemy which is fighting you on illogical grounds, who are prepared to go on, use extreme tactics and methods which cause catastrophic damage, kill many people in order to get the outcome which they want. They will not be deterred by a few arrests. A new generation of terrorists is being nurtured, groomed and indoctrinated all the time. And the threat will be with us for many years. So whether it is this year or two or three years down the road, the threat will be there. With the cooperation of the countries around us, I think we can manage to contain this threat. But we must work at it. Fortunately, I think that with all the incidents that had happened, more countries, both in the region and around the world, are now conscious of the need to contain the threat of transnational terrorism. Singapore is playing its part. We work with the region to manage this threat. But for the time being, I cannot say that there is a point, whether this year, next year or a few years after that, when we can say that the threat is over. That is the reality.”
“For the women, yes, we have courses in schools, universities, polytechnics and ITE; we have community functions where we try and impress on them the need for National Security. I do not think they are indifferent. But it is one thing to have gone through National Service and to have actually served under fire and it is another thing to be told about the dangers that face Singapore. So I think this is an area which we need to have further work because we need to impress on all Singaporeans - men and women, adults, children - of the need to defend our country. This is something which, in the last analysis, is our choice. We either defend and protect our country or we would be attacked. It is up to us. I am confident that Singaporeans would rise to the occasion and would do what is necessary to keep Singapore safe and secure, not only for the next few years, but for many generations to come.”
“With regard to Thailand, we exchange intelligence, and we work together. The secessionist problem in southern Thailand worries us. Where, for example, we need to work with them on having air marshals on planes between Singapore and Thailand, we have done so. But we could work better. We continue to press this issue. I think the Thai government is now much more conscious about the possibility of terrorism. The danger is that the incidents arising from the secession in southern Thailand could lead beyond the three southern Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani into other population centres, including holiday resorts like Phuket, and the capital, Bangkok. Then it would be a very serious situation. But it is an area which we will work with them. On the survey results and whether there is a difference in attitude or consciousness between men and women on the need for security, Sir, the answer is "yes". In general, men are much more conscious about the need for security, and the reason is a very simple one. All our young men have gone through National Service. In these two years of National Service, they are brought upfront directly face to face with the issue on how to defend Singapore and protect our society. The two or 2 1/2 years of National Service imprints an indelible mark on all our men in Singapore. They know that Singapore is vulnerable. They know that no one can protect Singapore except ourselves. If we do not rise up to the occasion and take on the responsibility, make the necessary preparations, provide the necessary resources to protect and defend Singapore, no one else will do it.”
“Sir, I thank Ms Irene Ng for her questions. First, regarding cooperation with Indonesia and Thailand, this is progressing. Indonesia particularly, of course, is a country nearest to us. We also know that although we have dismantled the Jemaah Islamiyah network in Singapore, several of its operatives have fled from Singapore and are probably hiding in the region, possibly in Indonesia. Members will also know or hear about the bomb blasts which had taken place in Indonesia, in Bali, at the Marriott Hotel and outside the Australian Embassy. So the threat is there. The Indonesian authorities, as expressed by President Yudhoyono, are determined to stamp out terrorism. We work with them. We exchange intelligence. We cooperate together. On occasions, this cooperation has enabled us to arrest members of the Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia and bring them back. Cooperation could be improved, and this is an on-going area. On maritime security, Indonesia and Malaysia are now working with Singapore to have coordinated patrols to secure the Straits of Malacca. The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister has also said that we should look into the possibility of joint patrols. This is an area which we should look into. Cooperation is never easy. We will have to work at it, always taking into account that, for example, in securing the Straits of Malacca, we have to be conscious that any measures or patrols which we are undertaking do not infringe on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the littoral states. So we have to work out all of these rules and regulations and continue to keep a high alert to fight against terror which threatens everyone, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.”
“Through the difficult times we have experienced in recent years, Members have helped convey the messages and explain the Government's position on issues such as terrorism to the people. Members have also provided valuable feedback and have helped the Government make adjustments to policies. You understand the fine balance the Government needs to achieve between projecting deterrence and raising alarm among Singaporeans. Finally, Sir, I urge all Singaporeans to continue to be vigilant. The danger posed by terrorism is a long-term threat that we have to learn to live with for many years to come. With the cooperation and support of Singaporeans, we will succeed in containing this threat and keep Singapore and Singaporeans safe and secure for many years to come. I will be happy to take Members' questions. Much obliged, Mr Speaker, Sir.”
“If "security consciousness" does not become second nature to Singaporeans, we will, as a people, react badly, possibly disastrously, when terrorists succeed in launching a strike in Singapore despite all the preparations and precautions the Government has put in place. To safeguard Singapore, Singaporeans have to be joint partners with the Government to defend our country and protect our way of life. The Government has implemented many systems and measures under the Strategic Framework to safeguard Singapore. But we cannot ensure our security if Singaporeans do not share in the task of protecting our society. Everyone - Members of Parliament, Government officials, the business sector, the media, the general public - has a role to play in being more proactive to look out for potential threats and work with the Government to react quickly and effectively in the aftermath of a terrorist incident if such an incident should take place in Singapore. Conclusion Sir, let me conclude my statement by commending the efforts and thanking the officers of our security and intelligence agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the Ministry of Defence, the Singapore Armed Forces, and the Security and Intelligence Division for performing their duties admirably, maintaining high standards of operational readiness, and being vigilant to developments and potential threats in the region and within our society. I would also like to convey my appreciation to the Members of this House.”
“The arrests of Jemaah Islamiyah members in Singapore initially put the Muslim community in the spotlight. Fears over a racial or religious backlash did not materialise. Instead, the Muslim community came together to deal with the issue resolutely and participated actively in the Inter-Racial Confidence Circles to reach out to the other communities and help them understand the situation. I have been very encouraged by the response of the Muslim community in Singapore. As part of the series of dialogue sessions I have had with the various sectors of society, I met with the Muslim community last month. At that session, MUIS (the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) presented a broad outline of its vision for the Singapore Muslim community and MUIS' plans to develop a unique Singapore Muslim Identity characterised by a progressive, adaptive and inclusive practice of Islamic religious life. This reinforces our vision for all religious groups to co-exist and prosper within a secular Singapore. Sir, the key message I want to stress today is that since September 11, 2001, transnational terrorism has changed the world around us. The world has become more volatile and dangerous. It is reassuring that a recent survey by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts reported that most Singaporeans are confident that the Government is able to manage the terrorist threat. However, only about half of those surveyed know what to do if, in spite of all the measures we have taken, terrorists succeed in launching a strike against Singapore. This is worrying. In today's uncertain world, Singaporeans must make "security consciousness" a part of our way of life.”
“The reality of the threat is also manifested in the arrests that we continue to make in Singapore. Just last month, Jahpar Osman, a Singaporean and a Jemaah Islamiyah member trained in bomb making and weapons handling, was detained under the Internal Security Act. Osman had been a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah since the mid-1990s and had undergone military training in Mindanao in the southern Philippines. He was also involved in plans to carry out terrorist attacks against Singapore. Sir, I have used these illustrations to make the point that the terrorist threat will be with us for some time to come. Singaporeans should not feel that the threat no longer exists. The terrorist threat is real and terrorists always seek the right opportunity, especially when our guard is lowered, to strike. Importance of national resilience In addition to spending considerable effort in implementing a total approach that emphasises coordination, cooperation and physical security measures, we should not lose our focus on strengthening national resilience. The key target of transnational terrorism is our social fabric which binds our society together. Terrorists aim to attack the hearts and minds of our citizens to split our society apart. We must counter this threat. Over the past year, I have therefore been engaged in a series of programmes to reach out to various sectors of Singapore society to stress to them the importance of their role in helping to keep Singapore safe. I met with Government officials in August 2004, with grassroots leaders in October 2004, with young Singaporeans in November 2004, and with the business community in January this year. The Muslim community in Singapore have, in particular, provided critical support to the Government's overall efforts.”
“This will not be an easy task but like the other research and development projects we are undertaking, we must put in the necessary effort and resources. If we are successful, we will be breaking new ground and we would be in a unique position to share new capabilities with other countries. In any case, our determination and resourcefulness will serve as yet another strong deterrent to terrorists. Need for continued vigilance Sir, I have highlighted the key security initiatives we have implemented since the Strategic Framework came into force in July 2004 and some of the projects we will undertake over the next year or two. I am confident we are taking the right steps and moving in the right direction in the fight against terrorism. But we need to be vigilant and sensitive to changes in the external environment and to their impact on the internal dynamics in Singapore. Singapore remains a prime target for terrorists. Singapore strongly supports the US-led campaign against terror. We have taken robust steps to stamp out the Jemaah Islamiyah in Singapore. And we are a secular state that has successfully enabled different religious groups to co-exist and prosper. The reality of the threat to Singapore is driven home by the continued persistence of the Al Qaeda movement worldwide and of the Jemaah Islamiyah network in the region. Dangerously, the Jemaah Islamiyah has continued to evolve and forge alliances with other groups in Indonesia and the Philippines. The secessionist problem in southern Thailand could also draw in terrorist organisations. Importantly, the resources and facilities available to recruit and train successive generations of terrorists have not been eliminated or destroyed.”
“Further tasks Sir, although we have raised the baseline for security in all areas, more remains to be done. In addition to coping with existing known threats, we should pay attention to potential events that could cause great disruption to Singapore, events such as a biological terrorist attack, a radiological incident or a cyber attack. Our recent experience with SARS and the tsunami disaster has demonstrated forcefully that strategic surprises or wild cards can have a devastating impact. We are therefore developing a Risk Assessment and Horizon Scanning capability to help us anticipate and deal with shocks to our system. Over the past year, we have embarked on detailed studies to draw up a conceptual model and an operational framework to implement this capability. On this note, Sir, I should stress that we would need to be inventive, as ready solutions do not exist for many of the problems linked to transnational terrorism. We would need to spend some resources on research and development work to discover imaginative solutions to intractable problems. Singapore has the potential to take the lead in several areas. For example, our maritime security agencies will be introducing a scheme shortly that would require all small craft operating within Singapore's territorial waters to carry a transponder. This low-cost device would help the security agencies keep track of the maritime traffic in our waters and be better able to discern threats. Singapore is also interested in initiating a pilot project that would look into securing the entire supply chain involving Government agencies, port authorities, shipping lines and major suppliers from different countries.”
“All three littoral states commenced coordinated patrols of the Straits in July 2004. Closer home, the Maritime and Port Authority worked closely with the shipping community and with owners of port facilities to successfully implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which seeks to enhance the general security of merchant vessels and port facilities. Singapore vessels and ports were fully compliant with the code before the July 2004 deadline. At the regional level, Singapore has been chosen to host an Information Sharing Centre under a regional agreement to combat piracy. This will help reinforce Singapore's position as an important node in regional cooperative efforts to enhance maritime security. Singapore has also worked closely with the US to implement several maritime security programmes such as the Container Security Initiative, the Radiation Detection Initiative and the Proliferation Security Initiative. Collectively, these programmes seek to prevent the illegal transfer and movement of dangerous material, and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Singapore also encourages academic discussions and forums to enable think- tanks, academic institutions and key stakeholders to exchange views and take a more pro-active approach to a range of national security issues including maritime policies. For instance, our Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies has hosted and organised seminars with many terrorism experts from various international and renowned centres of excellence on national security. All these enable us to be connected and relevant to the leading edge thinking on security issues in the international community.”
“Sir, in all our efforts, we have kept a close watch on the prevailing threat situation and taken a risk mitigation approach (ie, balancing the necessary security measures against the economic costs incurred) to ensure that resources are prudently used. We have also been careful not to over-regulate or be too restrictive in the implementation of security measures, as we understand the impact this would have on business efficiency and on the lives of Singaporeans. Reach through cooperation Sir, transnational terrorism respects no national borders, and Singapore must therefore look beyond coordination amongst Government agencies to achieve greater reach through cooperation with like-minded states and with international organisations. In pushing the agenda for greater security, Singapore has been a strong advocate of regional and international cooperation. We realise that the centre of gravity to the threat of terrorism lies outside Singapore. Cooperation in the war on terror must therefore extend beyond the borders of Singapore, principally in the sharing of intelligence and pooling of resources. Given the interconnectedness of countries today, cooperation is a fundamental pre-requisite in areas such as maritime security, aviation security, cyber security and border control, and in building up defences against CBRE threats. Significant progress has been achieved in several areas. I would mention just one area, maritime security, to illustrate what has been achieved. In maritime security, Singapore has been working closely with Indonesia, Malaysia and other key stakeholders as well as with the International Maritime Organisation to safeguard the Malacca and the Singapore Straits, which are critical international waterways.”
“In the area of maritime security, for example, a licensing scheme for regional ferry operators has been put in place since 1st January 2005 to regulate the movement and enhance security on board these regional ferries. We have also started deploying Sea Marshals on board selected vessels since March 2005. For aviation security, an in-line baggage screening system has been set up at Changi Airport to systematically examine every piece of luggage that is checked in. In the area of public transport security, security guards have been deployed, CCTV systems are being upgraded and police patrols have been initiated to keep our MRT system secure. In the area of critical infrastructure protection, among other things, we have reviewed the security of our energy grid and info-communications infrastructure. We have identified key energy facilities that should be further hardened and we have launched an Info-Comm Security Masterplan that will comprehensively raise Singapore's cyber security standards over the next three years. And in building up our defences against CBRE threats, vehicles transporting hazardous material have been fitted with transponders to monitor and control their movement. The key message of achieving Strength through Coordination has been reinforced in a number of concrete ways. To help build bridges across our various Ministries and agencies, NSCS organised an inaugural National Security Course in February this year. The course was well attended by senior officers from across the different Ministries and agencies involved in the work of national security. The course helped to forge a common vision of Singapore's national security, enhanced understanding of each other's professional expertise and established a bond amongst senior security practitioners.”
“All three committees - the two PS-level committees and the Ministerial Committee - have met on a regular basis. Key pillars of the Strategic Framework Sir, the Strategic Framework for Singapore's National Security is built on two pillars. First, Strength through Coordination. We have adopted a "Whole of Government" approach in the fight against terror aimed at achieving greater coordination among our Government agencies and Ministries. Since the threat of transnational terrorism cuts across departmental divides, no single agency alone can tackle this problem. We have forged tighter linkages among the various Government agencies to achieve greater effectiveness. Coordination gives us the strength to deal with the threat of transnational terrorism in a way that no single agency can tackle alone. The second pillar is Reach through Cooperation. Since transnational terrorism respects no territorial boundaries, we have worked with our overseas partners to extend our security network to better pre-empt any threats and to protect Singapore. Let me explain a little bit about how these two pillars have been implemented. First, Strength through Coordination. Sir, stronger collaboration across Ministries and agencies in Singapore is key, and a system that links the critical nodes and coordinates their efforts has proven to be effective. Already, there are some visible results. A number of task forces have conducted comprehensive reviews and helped plug capability gaps in areas as diverse as maritime security, aviation security, land transport security, critical infrastructure protection and building up defences against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) threats. Let me briefly summarise some of the work that has been done in these areas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to make this Ministerial Statement. Sir, on 20th July last year, I announced to Members of Parliament the Strategic Framework for Singapore's National Security. Some 10 months have passed. It is timely for me to report to Parliament the progress that we have made in implementing the Strategic Framework and what further tasks need to be undertaken to keep Singapore safe from terrorism. Organisation Sir, the most important recommendation of the Strategic Framework was to set up a new Coordinating Structure in the centre of Government. This has been achieved. The National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) has been established in the Prime Minister's Office. The Secretariat's two component arms, the National Security Coordination Centre and the Joint Counter Terrorism Centre, have also been established. The staffing of key posts in the Secretariat and these two Centres has been completed. Sir, Mr Peter Ho has been appointed Permanent Secretary for National Security and Intelligence Coordination to oversee the National Security Coordination Secretariat. Colonel Soh Poh Theen is the Director for the National Security Coordination Centre and Mr Yeong Gah Hou is the Director for the Joint Counter Terrorism Centre. To ensure effective strategic planning, policy development and intelligence coordination across Government, Mr Peter Ho chairs the National Security Coordinating Committee and the Intelligence Coordinating Committee. As Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, I chair the Ministerial level Security Policy Review Committee, which sets the strategic policy direction for national security issues in Singapore.”
“CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 67 of the 2000 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PRISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Prisons Act (Chapter 247 of the 2000 Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Wong Kan Seng; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. BUILDING CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Building Control Act (Chapter 29 of the 1999 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Mah Bow Tan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Government Securities Act (Chapter 121A of the 2002 Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Lim Hng Kiang; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. HUMAN CLONING AND OTHER PROHIBITED PRACTICES BILL "to prohibit the placing of a human embryo clone in the body of a human or an animal and certain other practices associated with reproductive technology", presented by the Minister of State for Health (Dr Balaji Sadasivan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“But if we do, then the Singapore Government cannot and should never negotiate with terrorists. It will encourage more terrorists to take more of our people as hostages. Ms Olivia Lum brought up the point about the burden on businesses. We do realise that because it is a fact of life today. It is unfortunate that it means more cost. We will try and lessen it as much as we can. Whenever we have to impose any measures, we try and discuss with the business community, but some measures are inevitable and I think businesses will have to bear with these measures at least for the time being. Finally, Ms Braema has said that we should involve the community and she has got a tag line - it's only complete with you. I think it is not bad. We will think about it. But it is true that we have to involve everyone. National security in Singapore cannot be left to the Government alone. It involves every Singaporean. It involves our own safety. But with the support of Members of Parliament, grassroots leaders, the public and schools, I am confident that we can keep Singapore safe. BILLS INTRODUCED BUSINESS TRUSTS BILL "relating to the registration and regulation of business trusts and matters connected therewith", presented by the Second Minister for Finance (Mr Lim Hng Kiang); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SECURITIES AND FUTURES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of the 2002 Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Lim Hng Kiang; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“In that way, we could work with moderate Muslim leaders, and at least for our own people here, enable them to get a better understanding and to prevent Muslims from going the wrong way. Here, we would appreciate very much the help of Muslim Members of Parliament, grassroots leaders and mosque committees to work with us in order to get this message across. Mr Steve Chia has asked whether we will make more regular reports, I suppose, to Parliament. Sir, intelligence is not something we talk about all the time. It is only when it is necessary. And defence is not a subject which is regularly brought up. We will do so when it is necessary. We will also not amend the Internal Security Act. It is necessary for Singapore now. Without the ISA, we would not have been able to disrupt the plot in December 2001. Seven car bombs - each of them with three tonnes of ammonia nitrate - would have been detonated instantly against the US, British, Australian and other embassies, some of our military camps and MRT stations. Singapore will not recover from such an attack. So, to do away with the ISA would be an extreme act of foolishness. Dr Warren Lee asked what would be the Singapore Government's stand if a hostage were to be taken and we are subject to the same situation that the Philippine government is now facing. First of all, we must try and make sure that we never get into that situation. Once we get into that situation, it is very difficult to resolve the situation. But I just want to make one point that we cannot negotiate with terrorists. If we give in, and in the case of hostage-taking, it is a heart rending situation. We are dealing with people who cannot be persuaded by normal human interests. Let us not get into that situation first.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to talk a little bit about the point brought up by Mr Zainul because he has brought up an extremely important point, and that is the role of ideology and belief in fuelling terrorists. Sir, one of the most troubling things about the extremists whom we arrested in December 2001 was that they were ordinary Singaporeans. They were not ideologues. They were people who had jobs and were educated, and yet they could be inspired by their erroneous beliefs. If we had not arrested them and disrupted their plot to carry out attacks, it would have killed not only Americans or foreigners, but their friends and perhaps even members of their families. How do you account for that? This is a very deep issue. It involves religion and religion involves the deepest motivations of human beings. At the end of the day, the western world and governments cannot defeat radical Islamic terrorism. It can only be done by the Muslim community themselves, by moderate Muslims speaking out against the deviant teachings of Osama Bin Laden and his group, and point out that this is wrong. Sir, Islam is a religion of peace. Ordinary Muslims do not go about trying to kill people. But there are groups out there who subscribe to this ideology and inspire other people to follow them, and that is why there were bombings in Madrid, Bali, and other attacks. It is a very long term problem. As Mr Zainul has rightly pointed out, one of the most important tasks of the National Security Coordination Centre is to build up this knowledge about ideology and belief, so that we can better understand the motivation of these terrorists.”
“And for an intelligence agency, whether in Singapore or overseas, to share intelligence is going against their very nature, and that is why it is so difficult to integrate and coordinate these agencies. The example has to be set from the top, from the Heads of SID, ISD and all our other agencies, in order to show that we are prepared to work together. We have the Intelligence Coordinating Committee under this set-up, which comprises the four Permanent Secretaries, together with the Heads of SID, ISD and JCTC, and they would have to work out ways in order to make sure that this cooperation takes place. It would be difficult but it has to be done. All I can say to Members is that at least we are trying to make a start here. Other countries have not even come to the starting point.”
“There is no magic formula to decide what is necessary or what is not necessary. We have to have good sense. We have to depend on the intelligence of our officials and, where possible, we will only do what is absolutely necessary because it is not possible to keep Singapore completely safe, and to assure Singaporeans that there will never be a terrorist attack in Singapore. And this brings me to the point brought up by Prof. Ngiam. Sir, we have to develop resilience in Singaporeans. The possibility of terrorist attacks will be here for a very long time and it could come in many fashions. Apart from a car-bomb going off in front of a hotel or a restaurant, one thing we are very worried about is people hijacking a ship with chemicals and crashing it against our port. And our port is located in a part of Singapore which is densely populated. That could cause hundreds, if not thousands, of casualties. These are dangers which we have to guard against. For the more extreme ones, we have to take all measures to make sure that they cannot occur. But, one day, some terrorists may get through. There may be a bomb attack. The thing to do, Sir, is to assure Singaporeans that even if there is a terrorist attack in Singapore, it is not the end of the world. Singapore will go on; we will overcome! But we must have the resilience to overcome these attacks. Mr Ravindran brought out a very difficult point - how to ensure co operation right down the line, not only at the top but among the officials. And that is very difficult. Sir, we must realise that for intelligence agencies, information is their life-blood. That is what they live for.”
“Somebody has said that intelligence does mean connecting the dots from point A to point B. Intelligence means looking at the pattern of dots and being able to figure out a relevant structure. And that is very difficult because different people looking at the same group of dots would come to different conclusions. So it is never 100% sure. But if we can integrate our domestic and external intelligence, I think we will have a better chance of getting the right answers. But I cannot guarantee that we will be right all the time. Mr Low Thia Khiang has brought up a very important point. How do we balance protection and security for Singapore and Singaporeans, without at the same time curtailing the freedom and the rights of our people? This is a question which is relevant not only to Singapore but to all countries, and we have to strike a balance here. We have to live with terrorism. We cannot allow terrorism to dictate our lives. We cannot allow the possibility of terrorist attacks to prevent us from going about our normal lives, doing our own work. So, there is a limit to how much protection or preventive measures that one could put in place. Otherwise, we would not even go out of our houses! It is a question of balance. When we harden Singapore, for example, by preventing customers of restaurants and bars from parking in front of these establishments, we know that we are creating inconvenience and affecting the business of these bars and restaurants. But, if we do not do it, then the possibility of someone packing a car with explosives, parking in front of a bar or restaurant, blowing it up, causing hundreds of casualties, as had happened in Bali, is very real. So that is something we have to do. It causes inconveniences to people, but it is necessary.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me deal with the questions which have been raised by Members. First, the point from Dr Maliki about hostage-taking in Iraq and the dangers to Singaporeans overseas. Sir, it is not possible for us to protect every Singaporean who works or lives overseas. Everyone has to take a sensible approach to his or her own security. Where it is necessary, like for example in Iraq, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put out a travel advisory, advising Singaporeans against travelling to Iraq or living there, because the danger of being kidnapped by the militants in Iraq is very high. And we do not want to have a repetition of the Filipino situation in Singapore. We have to take sensible precautions. That is why, where necessary, we would advise Singaporeans about the dangers of travelling to different countries. But it is not possible, unless we prevent Singaporeans from going overseas, to make sure that no Singaporean would get into trouble. I would urge all Singaporeans, who go to places which may be dangerous, to at least let our embassy know of their whereabouts and arrange to be contactable by the embassy, if and when there is trouble. Mr Sin Boon Ann has asked whether we could be assured that the failures in intelligence, which have been so well publicised in the West, would not happen in Singapore. Sir, I cannot in all honesty give an absolute guarantee that it would not happen here. With the structure that I have outlined, and with the hard work of our people, I think that the danger is much less. At least, we have made a start, while other countries are still talking about how to coordinate their intelligence agencies. But there is no 100% fool-proof method. Intelligence is a delicate subject.”