Singapore Revises Counter Terrorism Plan in Wake of Impending Threat

Last Friday Singapore Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugum  announced new changes that would  harden the country’s counter terrorism law.  His rationale for changing the law was due to recent terror related activity in the region. Authorities believe  it is no longer a  question of whether an attack will occur in Singapore, but rather when an attack will occur.

According to Minister Shamugum “there are multiple threats to the region-complex, interwoven, fusing religion with domestic political grievances from Myanmar to Indonesia.”

Recent events have  put southeast Asia on high alert as 74 terrorism related arrests were made in Indonesia in 2015, and 7 terrorist related plots were foiled in Malaysia including one to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Minister Shamugum noted that Singapore is the epicenter of the caliphate that the Islamic State (IS) wants to establish. He also noted that everyday 400,000 people pass through checkpoints, and how easy it would be for a terrorist to get through via car or motorcycle.

The attacks in Paris last November and Jakarta in January show that terrorists have become better coordinated and take place over larger geographical areas.  They use multiple attackers in various locations, attack venues with large congregations of people and little security, and take hostages not to negotiate but rather to inflict mass casualties.

Indonesian jihadist cleric Bahrun Naim, who orchestrated and financed the January attacks in Jakarta has called for attacks on Singapore.

Minister Shanmugum praised the country’s counter terrorism efforts noting they have done a very good job. In the wake of 9/11 security forces arrested a number of individuals planning to bomb U.S. and other foreign targets in Singapore. However, new threats and terrorist operandi need to be implemented to better train counter terrorism forces and improve security for the public.

Minister Shamugum detailed that new counter terrorism strategies will focus on four realistic terror threats to the region. These include: attacks planned outside the country and executed here; attacks involving smuggled weapons; individual attacks by indoctrinated jihadists, and jihadists migrants working in the country.

Security measures for facilities including Changi Airport, government buildings, sports facilities, and shopping centers will have increased closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) to monitor for threats. CCTV in more areas will make it available to the police in demand including from systems monitoring public transportation, government facilities, and commercial buildings.

Minister Shamugum noted that the public will also be able to submit videos to the police through crowd sourcing platforms.

Next, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) will receive a new division called the “Emergency Response Team” to respond quickly, engage attackers, and minimize casualties during terrorist attacks similar to Mumbai and Paris.  New police officers will be added to the force and will be specially trained in counter-assault skills. They will also engage stakeholders and get to know the area.

Special operation command and Gurkha contingent will also be trained further to respond quicker to terrorist attacks.

Finally, a revised program similar to the 2005 Community Engage Program will be enacted and called “SG Secure.”  The program has the Home Office working with People’s Association, labor movements, schools, businesses, and other groups to enhance skills in terrorist related events such as life saving techniques. Exercises will also be held to help enhance public awareness of what to do during a terrorist attack.

Singapore is facing the terrorism situation head on and preparing with a series of practical steps to maintain safety and awareness as they prepare for an impending attack.