|
News Room |
||
The Joint Ministerial Visit to the Civil Defence Academy - Comments by Mr Wong Kan SengDate : 30 January 2002 The Joint Ministerial Visit to the Civil Defence Academy - Comments by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs, 30 January 02 30 January 2002 Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan and the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng, visited the Civil Defence Academy on 30 Jan. Minister Wong made the following comments during the visit: "In view of the new security situation, Singaporeans are naturally concerned. However, the Government has, over the past three decades been preparing to deal with emergencies. Therefore, all Singaporeans should go about their lives as per normal. What we need to do is to be more alert to any potential dangers. 2 In support of global efforts against terrorism, Singapore has enacted the UN Act in line with the Security Councils resolutions aimed at combating terrorism and the financing of terrorism. We can now deal effectively with serious cases such as false threats of terrorist acts that were previously not covered by legislation. It is now a criminal offence for any Singaporeans here and abroad to provide financial assistance to terrorists, to be in possession of any property belonging to terrorists or withhold information about any transaction in respect of property belonging to any terrorist. These regulations plug gaps in our existing laws and enhance our capability to combat terrorism. 3 The events that followed September 11 - the terrorist acts overseas - show that protecting security at the homefront involves many Ministries for example, MINDEF, ENV, MOH apart from the Home Team. All these agencies must look beyond these current events and work closely together. The Home Team agencies Police , ISD and SCDF remain at the core of safeguarding homefront security and safety. They will continue to strengthen their capabilities to deal with threats and terrorism. 4 Over the last few years, the Home Team agencies have moved on to meet new challenges. Today you have seen the operational capability of the SCDF. It has come a long way from being just a fire and ambulance service. Since 1982, it has moved on to lead and spearhead emergency preparedness for the nation. Civil defence is, after all, a key pillar of Total Defence. The SCDF also works very closely with the Police and the SAF in mitigating security threats, as you have just seen in the demonstration. 5 But it is not enough just for the Government authorities to be prepared and vigilant. The community too has an important role to play. Community partnership and involvement in civil defence and emergency preparedness is crucial. For example, Singaporeans should actively participate in emergency exercises such as basic fire fighting, first aid and evacuation drills. 6 At the national level, all our security agencies have put in place comprehensive measures to detect and deter any possible breach of our security, including terrorism. We have enhanced security at all our entry and exit points as part of our frontline defence. Within the homeland, we have enhanced security controls and operations throughout Singapore, with specific measures to strengthen the security of high-risk establishments. We have also worked out plausible scenarios of terrorist attacks and have exercised and revalidated contingency plans to deal with these. The security agencies will continue to work closely with one another to ensure the security of Singapore, as you have seen in the Joint Ministerial Visits and the earlier demonstration of a joint Home Team-SAF operation. 7 In these times, Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, must pull together as a nation. We must be sensitive to one another and live in harmony. We must unite and work together. Weve overcome challenges before in our early years as a nation. We can do it again, and emerge stronger than before. "
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS |
||
