Singapore steps up efforts to counter terrorism

Sypnosis

People are the key to fighting terrorism as it is not possible for the government alone to tackle every security threat, and this is why the government has placed emphasis on involving the community in the prevention, protection and consequence management in coping with terror attacks, said DPM Wong Kan Seng.

17 March 2009

The Opening Ceremony For Global Security Asia (GSA) 2009 at the Singapore Expo - Speech by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, 17 March 2009

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to be here today at the opening ceremony of Global Security Asia (GSA) Conference and Exhibition 2009. Since its inception in 2005, this is the third in the Series of the only dedicated Homeland Security Event in the Asia Pacific Region.

The security landscape has evolved over the years. Terror threats are dynamic and pose a constant challenge to those involved in the work of homeland security. This year’s conference and exhibition underscores the continual need to harness science, engineering and technological capabilities to deal with the changing security landscape, address emerging threats and to safeguard the interests of our people.

LEVERAGING ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN COUNTER-TERRORISM AND HOMEFRONT SECURITY: SINGAPORE’S EXPERIENCE

Besides the conventional arms and explosives, terrorists are also making use of chemical, biological and radiological agents to execute bio-terrorism. To stay ahead of terrorists threats, we need to share our experiences and learn from one another. Let me briefly sketch Singapore’s experience.

Singapore is an island and our borders are not "airtight". To ensure the safety of our country and its citizens, it is imperative for us to detect and stop any threat as far away from our borders as possible. Strengthening our borders as it is our first line of defence is a top priority.

We recognize the crucial role of science and technology in our security operations, especially in defending against physical as well as chemical, biological, radiological and explosive (CBRE) threats. This is why we set up the Office of the Chief Science and Technology Officer (OCSTO) in June last year.

Two months ago, the OCSTO and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) set up a Protective and Analytical Facility (PAF) at the Tuas Checkpoint which is the only dedicated land checkpoint for vehicles carrying hazardous materials, from Malaysia. Using advanced scientific equipment, the facility allows early screening and confirmation of security materials that are CBRE in nature. This facility protects our borders against the intrusion of materials that may cause harm if they managed to slip into Singapore undetected.

Other than screening materials, we are also using science and technology to screen travellers. A major project in the pipeline is the setting up of a Human Factors laboratory at the land checkpoints to apply biometrics, behavior profiling and Bio-Signal analysis. For example, we will explore whether multi-modality biometrics (e.g., finger-print, face recognition, palm print, retina, iris, voice pattern, signature, ear, gait, skin texture and finger vein) can be used to verify and identify the travellers of security interest with a higher order of certainty.

In addition to protecting our entry points for visitors and goods, we also have to protect our long and porous coast line. We are also the world’s busiest port. As shown in the example of the Mumbai attacks, the importance of coastal security is clear.

To counter and deter potential seaborne threats, we will be significantly increasing the capabilities of our Police Coast Guard (PCG). We are acquiring ten new Coastal Patrol Crafts (CPCs) and equipping them with better surveillance systems, radars and equipment for them to identify and track the movement of vessels. We will also boost the training for our PCG officers with the commissioning of an Integrated Tactical Training Centre this year.

CONTINUED VIGILANCE A NECESSARY ON-GOING EFFORT

Technological tools in themselves are useful but insufficient to detect and contain the terrorism threat. The tools are only as effective as their human operators. Our people are the key to fighting terrorism as it is not possible for the government alone to tackle every security threat. This is why we have placed emphasis on involving the community in the prevention, protection and consequence management in coping with terror attacks and mitigating the extent of its damages.

To get the general public prepared, Emergency Preparedness (EP) Days were introduced to prepare the community in coping with unconventional threats such as chemical release and bomb explosions through ‘live’ demonstrations as well as Emergency Preparedness validation stations. To strengthen our partnership with private sector stakeholders, we engage specific industries such as the hotel, financial institutions and chemical industries. We want to involve the private sector to play a bigger role in preparing for crisis situations through participation in emergency preparedness exercises and the implementation of target hardening measures.

Large scale simulated emergency exercises - Exercise North Star

As part of preparing our community and businesses for the terrorist threats, the Home Team, including the SPF, the SCDF, and other related agencies,have conducted a series of large scale simulated national exercises. Three years ago, Exercise Northstar V simulated terrorist attacks on our land transport systems, based on the bombing scenarios in Madrid in Mar 2003 and London in 2005. In May last year, we tested our national response plan to a major fire incident on board cruise ship which involved casualties, during Exercise Northstar VI.

This year, our Exercise Northstar VII will be based on a terrorist scenario similar to that of the Mumbai attacks. Police will be conducting the exercise in collaboration with multiple government agencies and private organizations to test and improve the collective response of not just the government but also the community to such incidents.

CONCLUSION: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO TACKLE GLOBAL TERRORISM

I have shared at length Singapore’s experiences. However, we are acutely aware that efforts by Singapore authorities are not enough to tackle the transnational terrorist threat. Fighting terrorism requires international co-operation to be effective. Singapore has been an active player in supporting international counter terrorism efforts. We believe that collaborative cooperation between like-minded countries and its homeland security forces, as well as other agencies both in the public and private sectors is critical in the global fight against terrorism.

The gathering of participants and exhibitors for the GSA conference and exhibition is a concrete example of such collaboration between government agencies and private sector experts to share information and expertise in this industry. This year, we have many distinguished speakers and exhibitors, including for the first time, the participation of our counterparts from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the exhibition. This gathering of security professionals and industry experts provides a good opportunity for us to network and strengthen our overall preparedness in combating global terrorism. It is therefore important that we continue to tap on such opportunities to forge stronger partnerships in our common batter against terrorism.

On this note, I hope that all foreign and local participants will gain new insights through the exhibition and conference at GSA 2009.

Thank you.