SPEECH BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS MR WONG KAN SENG AT THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME (CEP) SEMINAR ON SAT 18 APRIL 2009, AT THE ORCHID COUNTRY CLUB, AT 10.00 AM
Colleagues, CEP Community Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Welcome to the National CEP Seminar this year.
Over the course of three years, the Community Engagement Programme, or CEP, has evolved. Our efforts have grown beyond enhancing public awareness and building networks of trust across the clusters. We have invested much resources and given attention to capability development and, in more recent times, focused on achieving operational readiness.
Building Awareness & Networks of Trust
Through promotional and other activities organized at the cluster level, the concept and purpose of the CEP has become fairly well established within our key stakeholder groups, particularly among the grassroots and religious groups. The range of activities conducted has been substantial and includes events promoting inter-faith/inter-ethnic dialogue, understanding and co-operation. One good example is the training programme organized by the Harmony Centre called ‘Developing Conversation Circles: Building Capacity for Interfaith Dialogue and Engagement’.
I am gratified to see that much of such activities are not top-down but ground-up. Ground initiatives have made the CEP more real and relevant to its audience. For instance, since the Kampung Spirit @ Eunos programme started in 2007, it has continued and recently has started a series of skits conveying the message of communal harmony and performed in schools in the Eunos area.
At the Ang Mo Kio Group Representative Constituency (GRC) and Yio Chu Kang constituency, CEP has generated emergency response plans which address important practical issues, such as having adequately equipped response teams in place. Ang Mo Kio was the first constituency to complete the Constituency CEP Ready Certification, attain the GRC CEP Ready Certification and reproduce a comprehensive GRC Crisis Response Plan in response to any crisis within the GRC.
Capability development
However, something still needs to be centrally directed and coordinated for now. That is capability development. This is because domain knowledge and competency training, which are the key pillars of capability development, are best developed at a single source.
We have made good progress. Among CEP community leaders, more than 110 have undergone training under the Community Engagement Executive Development (or CEED) programme run by the CEP Secretariat and the Home Team Academy. Within the education cluster, the Ministry of Education has customized training for close to 450 CEP leaders who comprise principals, vice-principals and teachers. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports has, through OnePeople.sg, trained 80 in mediation, organized trust workshops for about 50, and arranged ten visits for about 300 IRCC members. Over at the grassroots cluster, the People’s Association has initiated 19 core team-building programmes, participated by about 330 grassroots CEP leaders. Within the Home Team, about 220 Police and SCDF officers who are involved in working with the community, have taken part in a CEP awareness-building programme.
Media organizations have also joined us under the CEP. Other than the news media who form the Media Emergency Forum under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, the radio deejays from Mediacorp Radio have been on a CEP training journey with us.
Deejays are at the frontline in a crisis. Listeners will call in to them through phone hotlines and talk-shows that they are familiar with. Indeed, radio deejays are familiar voices that can offer calming advice in times of chaos and uncertainty. Thus far, 75 of them have participated in visits to the Home Team Academy and Civil Defence Academy to deepen their understanding of emergency preparedness and counter-terrorism. We appreciate their involvement and the support of Mediacorp Radio management. We welcome others to come forward and work with us.
Active participation in capability development has been central to the solid growth of the CEP. It has become more than an idea. It has created practical opportunities for interaction which has developed knowledge and competencies.
In turn, the CEP training programme has been enriched by diverse participation. Feedback and views from participants have helped to fine-tune these programmes. To cite two examples – it was from the grassroots group that we learnt of the desire for practical counselling skills. It was also because of a suggestion from the CEED alumni, that the “Train the CEP Trainer” programme was born. Under the programme, identified CEP community leaders who have gone through the CEED programme are trained as CEP trainers to spread the message in his own sphere of influence. The inaugural “Train the CEP Trainer” programme was held recently in February, with 17 participants. Such training programmes create opportunities for networking and over time, build a community of CEP practitioners with common and shared CEP competencies.
We will continue our efforts at the broader level. We also need to prioritise and train a core group in capability development in every domain. This is more realistic and sustainable. If we are able to have such a core group, then in a time of crisis, they will be the primary mobilisers leading at the various levels.
This is the rationale which makes our most ambitious CEP preparedness project, the CEP Ready Certification programme, a practical venture. Through it, we are equipping each constituency with a base-line level of preparedness. Over time, we should see a systematic upgrading of such preparedness in the community. About 30 constituencies have received CEP Ready Certification. The People’s Association is working towards having all 84 constituenciesattaining CEP Ready Certification by the end of this year.
Looking ahead, the People’s Association is working towards a higher level of certification in the CEP Unity Award. This award recognises constituenciesthat have attained CEP Ready Certification and gone further to work closely and actively with Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle or IRCC members and School Representatives to drive CEP initiatives and organise joint events at the local level. In partnership with the Ministries of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Education, the People’s Association targets 15 constituencies to attain the CEP Unity Award in this financial year.
Operational Readiness
Everything we are doing to build capabilities and prepare for a crisis is aimed at achieving operational readiness during a real emergency. We will not know for certain if all that we have done or are doing will work in a real crisis. We may well fail. But we must do our best to work out practical response plans and exercise them in a realistic way with the players who will be the mobilisers and participants in a real situation. If we do not, failure is a certainty.
We have started running some basic exercises for the CEP ops management groups across the clusters. This will continue and, over time, we will run a national level exercise when our various structures are more developed.
Extending our Reach
Last year at this seminar, I urged that we pay special attention to reach out to the young. I recalled how this was in fact a recurrent message we heard from grassroots leaders at the very first CEP Workshop which preceded the launch of the CEP by the Prime Minister.
I am pleased to learn that special efforts have been made to target youths. The South East Community Development Council (CDC) has organised an “Introduction to Interfaith Dialogue” meant for youths. In the CampTeen Youth Racial Harmony Ambassadors Programme 2008, youth leaders from 39 secondary schools and youth organisations took part in a residential programme to enhance multi-cultural appreciation and foster deeper interaction amongst the various ethnic groups in Singapore. In camps such as the Heartware CSSP Challenge Camp and the Homefront Security Ambassadors’ Camp, the CEP dimension was injected through talks and projects.
We have also started a “Sg United Journalists’ Club” for students. This is part of the outreach to youths on a more sustained basis. The students are here today, covering this national seminar alongside the Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp journalists. Next week, you will be able to surf the Singapore United web portal to view their news reports.
In view of the encouraging response of CEP community leaders to the CEED programme, I have asked the CEP Secretariat to look into a youth version of CEED for the young. Alumni of the Youth CEED programme can choose to continue on to be facilitators at CEP-related camps, such as those organized by the Home Team departments, the Harmony Centre, OnePeople.sg, Community Development Councils (CDCs), or schools.
In our Internet savvy population, concerns and fears can spread very fast through cyberspace and the blogosphere, in addition to the word-of-mouth channel of old. We hope that bloggers, aggregator moderators and twitterers will help to moderate fears in a crisis, just as the radio deejays would do so over the airwaves, and keep our community spirit alive. In a crisis, whatever our views on issues, we must stand together to keep Singapore united.
On our part, the Government will try its best to keep the public informed, with accurate information in a timely manner. We will do so through the traditional news dissemination channels. In addition, we will put out information on multiple platforms and web portals, such as MICA’s www.gov.sg, the crisis page at www.crisis.gov.sg, and the homepages of the respective ministries and government agencies. We have also developed the Singapore United web portal ( at www.SingaporeUnited.SG ) for people to come together, and will put out information on this web portal as well.
Stay Focussed and On Course
During these difficult economic times, the concerns of many people are job security. But we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball. The threat of terrorism and extremism remains. We would be naïve to think that we are immune to extremism and bigotry. Cases of self-radicalised individuals detected and detained remind us how wrong such an assumption would be.
On the other hand, our various communities have demonstrated a maturity that has distinguished us from others. The balanced response of our inter-faith groups in recent incidents such as the release of the film “Fitna” and the Mumbai attacks last November, illustrates this.
The work of the CEP is never ending. It will always remain a key resource which enhances our national unity, social cohesion and resilience. We have come quite some way in a short time. For this, I thank all of you for the roles and contributions you have played.
Thank you.
Speech by DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng at the National CEP Seminar 2009 held on Sat 18 Apr 09 (a video clip)
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The Straits Times - Don't let slump blind us to terrorism threat: DPM
19 April 2009
By Kor Kian Beng
Singapore cannot let its guard down against the threat of terrorism - even if most people are now concerned about jobs in the downturn.
Sounding this reminder, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday at the annual Community Engagement Programme (CEP) seminar that during these difficult economic times, the concern of many people is job security.
'But we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball.'
For the threat of terrorism and extremism remains, stressed Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister: 'We would be naive to think that we're immune to extremism and bigotry.'
Recent cases of self-radicalised individuals who were detected and detained here showed 'how wrong such an assumption would be', he added.
So the work of the CEP is 'never ending', he said. And it remains a key resource to enhance national unity, he added.
He was speaking at the Orchid Country Club to some 500 community leaders, government officials, business and union leaders, and students.
Joining him were several ministers: Mr K. Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs; Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS); and Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts.
Mr Wong's comments struck a chord with one participant, Mr V. Bimel Ram, 43, who runs a media and management consultancy.
He said: 'I think security of our nation is crucial to attracting multinational corporations here and that in turn ensures jobs. Everything is linked.'
Mr Bimel, who has been involved in CEP since 2006, agreed that Singaporeans cannot afford to be complacent.
'Younger generations grow up in a safe and secure environment, a comfort zone, and may take things for granted. It is something that has to be tackled,' he said.
In his speech, Mr Wong also gave updates on various initiatives and targets that the CEP has launched and achieved since its 2006 inception.
Through activities like inter-faith dialogues, inter-ethnic events and emergency exercises, the CEP builds bonds between communities. This will reduce tensions in the event of terrorist attacks.
Mr Wong said he was 'gratified' that ground-up activities - 86 so far - are rising in the CEP. For instance, the Kampung Spirit@Eunos programme that began in 2007 performs skits in schools to promote harmony.
CEP FACTS AND FIGURES
Since 2006, the Community Engagement Programme (CEP) has staged activities to prepare communities for crises:
22: Number of workshops to push idea-sharing and collaboration among CEP leaders in five clusters. These are religious, ethnic-based and voluntary welfare groups; educational institutions; media and arts groups; businesses and unions; and grassroots organisations.
41: Emergency exercises by the five clusters to prepare Singaporeans on what to expect and how to respond in crises.
86: Ground-up initiatives launched by the community under the CEP.
110: Community leaders who attended the Community Engagement Executive Development Programme. This equips them with skills and knowledge for their leadership roles in times of crises.
688: Community Safety and Security Programme initiatives. This is a platform for CEP leaders to work with the Home Team and agencies to tackle safety and security concerns in the community.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Lianhe Zaobao - 社区领袖培训计划将扩大到青少年
19 April 2009
Full Translation
As part of its outreach to youths, the Community Engagement Programme (CEP) which was launched three years ago, will spread the message to the Internet-savvy generation on the importance of staying united in the event of a crisis.
The Community Engagement Executive Development (or CEED) programme which was originally used to train community leaders will be extended to youth after amendment. As for schools, the students have also set up the Sg United Journalists Club to strengthen ties with the community.
Speaking at the annual CEP seminar held yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng said that in our Internet savvy population, concerns and fears can spread very fast through cyberspace and the blogosphere. Hence, he hoped that bloggers, aggregator moderators and twitterers will help to moderate fears in a crisis and keep our community spirit alive.
He said, "In a crisis, whatever our views on issues, we must stand together to keep Singapore united."
He said that the Government will try its best to keep the public informed, with accurate information in a timely manner. Besides doing so through the traditional news dissemination channels, it will put out information on web portals, such as the CEP's Singapore United and the homepages of the respective ministries and government agencies.
He added that during these difficult economic times, the concerns of many people are job security. But we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball.
He said, "Everything we are doing to build capabilities and prepare for a crisis is aimed at achieving operational readiness during a real emergency. We will not know for certain if all that we have done or are doing will work in a real crisis. We may well fail. But we must do our best to work out practical response plans and exercise them in a realistic way. If we do not, failure is a certainty."
Renowned security expert Dr Rohan Gunaratna who was invited to speak at the seminar praised the CEP's initiative of roping in the youths. He is also the head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the Nanyang Technological University's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
He said that one of the methods of propagating extremism by terrorist organisations like the Al-Qaeda is to target youths who are vulnerable. As the younger generation nowadays spend more and more time in the Internet, the Al-Qaeda will be able to spread further and wider its influence through the Internet. The propaganda of such extreme ideology through the Internet will further influence self-radicalised individuals who do not belong to any organisation, catalysing the birth of more and more local terrorist organisations.
Dr Gunaratna said that we can no longer depend merely on the Government and law-enforcement agencies to deal with terrorism. This is because terrorist organisations are now recruiting members and obtaining resources through the community. Hence, the level of vigilance of the members of the public has become very importance.
He added that the Singapore Government's injecting resources to strengthen cohesiveness and vigilance of the community is taking a strategic step towards combating terrorism. He urged the Government to share experience in this aspect with other countries.
Meanwhile, the CEP must expedite to complete its work while continuing to reach out at the broader level. This includes having all 84 constituencies attaining CEP Ready Certification by the end of this financial year. At present, 30 constituencies have received CEP Ready Certification awarded by the People’s Association (PA).
To further encourage constituencies which have received the CEP Ready Certification, the PA is working towards a higher level of certification in the CEP Unity Award. This award recognises constituencies that have gone further to work closely and actively with Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle or its members and school representatives. In partnership with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Education, the PA targets 15 constituencies to attain the CEP Unity Award within this financial year.
Click on the link below to view the Lianhe Zaobao article
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Berita Harian - BLOGGERS CAN HELP TO MODERATE FEARS
19 April 2009
Full Translation
Computer users and bloggers can help to moderate fears in a crisis, including from the threat of terrorism.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday that just like the radio deejays, the computer users and bloggers could keep the community spirit alive.
“In a crisis, whatever our views on issues, we must stand together to keep Singapore united.
“On our part, the Government will try its best to keep the public informed with accurate information in a timely manner,” said Mr Wong in his speech delivered at the National CEP Seminar 2009 held at the Orchid Country Club in Yishun yesterday morning.
Mr Wong said the information can be disseminated through public dissemination channels like television, radio and Government websites.
He added that the Community Engagement Programme (CEP), which was established three years ago, will continue to be expanded.
Now, more focus will be given on the effort to attract youths’ participation and build the capabilities of participants and community leaders in facing crisis and emergency.
On top of that, the People’s Association, which is the coordinating body for CEP is working towards having all its 84 constituencies attaining the CEP Ready Certificate by end of the year.
Mr Wong updated the 500 people present at the seminar on the progress made by CEP since its inception in 2007.
For example, more than 110 community leaders have undergone training under the Community Engagement Executive Development (CEED) programme.
Within the education cluster, close to 450 teachers, vice-principles and principles have been trained while the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) has, through OnePeople.sg, trained 80 in mediation. It has also organised trust workshops for about 50 and arranged ten visits for about 300 IRCC members.
PA is also working towards a higher level of certification in the CEP Unity Award to recognise constituencies that have attained CEP Ready Certification and went on to work closely and actively with the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) members and school representatives to drive CEP initiatives at grassroots levels.
In partnership with MCYS, PA has also targeted 15 constituencies to attain the CEP Unity Award in this financial year.
With regard to the effort to attract participation by the young in CEP, Mr Wong said he has asked the CEP secretariat to look into the youth version of CEED.
Alumni of the youth CEED programme can continue to be the facilitators at CEP-related camps, such as those organized by the Home Team departments, the Harmony Centre, OnePeople.sg, Community Development Councils (CDCs) and schools.
Meanwhile, in his speech, the head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Professor Rohan Gunaratna, disclosed that terrorist threats still exist with terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) working together to achieve their objective.
“One way to overcome this challenge is by stepping up efforts in educating the people about the dangers of religions extremism and deviation,” said Professor Gunaratna who also fielded questions from the participants.
Click on the link below to view the Berita Harian article
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
Tamil Murasu - People power: the weapon to wipe out terrorism
19 April 2009
Full Translation
Singapore’s philosophy is not to get down to work after a bomb has gone off, but rather to thwart it many days before it goes off.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng yesterday said that all Singaporeans will be ready during an emergency. Elaborating on the strength of the Community Engagement Programme (CEP) that puts this into practice, Mr Wong said that the threat of terrorism and extremism remains and Singaporeans must always be vigilant. Saying that 30 constituencies have already received CEP Ready Certification, Mr Wong added that the People’s Association is working towards having all 84 constituencies attaining the CEP Ready Certification by the end of this year.
The CEP seminar at the Orchid Country Club yesterday was attended by more than 500 community leaders, government officials, business and union leaders, and students.
Professor Rohan Gunaratna (Head, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University), who spoke at the seminar, said: “Unity among the people is the most potent weapon against terrorism and Singapore’s CEP is a farsighted programme aimed at fostering such unity. I have never seen such a good system anywhere else in the world. Many countries are keen to emulate this programme.”
Click on the link below to view the Tamil Murasu article
