Date : 6 March 2010
06 March 2010
Alert levels are raised in the wake of terror attack warnings
By Zakir Hussain
SINGAPORE has raised alert levels at ports, airports and key buildings as part of a nationwide move following intelligence reports this week of a possible terror plot against ships plying the Malacca Strait.
At the same time, its security agencies are working closely with one another, and with the Navy, foreign partners and the shipping community, to prevent such an attack.
These moves were disclosed in Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng yesterday, one day after Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia stepped up patrols in the Malacca Strait.
He said: 'All alert levels have been raised, not just for ships, but also for the security measures that we have undertaken for Singapore.'
He said that the intelligence regarding planned attacks against vessels sailing through Singapore waters and the Malacca Strait came from 'liaison partners'.
It led to the Navy on Wednesday alerting relevant bodies such as the Singapore Shipping Association.
The Navy told the agencies the terrorists' intent 'is probably to achieve widespread publicity and showcase that it remains a viable group'. It did not name the group.
The Strait is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
The terror plot issue was also touched upon by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who told the House the Navy had taken immediate action on receiving the information.
'It stepped up the frequency of patrols in our waters and shared this information with its regional partners and the shipping community,' he said.
The military's Maritime Security Task Force is also coordinating a whole-of-government response with agencies such as the Police Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime and Port Authority.
Both ministers disclosed these steps during the debate on the new budgets for their respective ministries.
Mr Wong noted the continuing appeal of terrorist ideology and evolving terror methods even as defences are hardened.
Strong intelligence and operational cooperation were thus the most critical factors in enhancing the security of Singapore and the region, he said.
Coastal defences are also being beefed up: The PCG is renewing its fleet to better detect and intercept intruders, and is working very closely with the Navy.
But the most important security asset, said Mr Wong, is a vigilant public.
He outlined how his ministry is involving the wider community, such as training non-security officers at checkpoints to identify suspicious passengers.
Second Home Minister K. Shanmugam said Home Team staff numbers had risen significantly in financial year 2009. The biggest was at the police force, where 1,315 more officers were added, a rise of 11 per cent.
(With thanks to SPH - StraitsTimes.com)
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
TODAY - Malacca Strait threat: How Singapore reacted
06 March 2010
SINGAPORE - All alert levels have been raised for the shipping community as well as for security measures in Singapore, says Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.
This follows an alert by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) on Thursday that it had received indications that a terror group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Strait.
Responding to a question in Parliament on the issue, Mr Wong said: "The various security agencies have been working very closely with one another, including the RSN and also our foreign liaison partners."
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said the RSN took immediate action - stepping up the frequency of patrols around Singapore waters.
The Maritime Security Task Force also coordinated a whole-of-government response with agencies such as the Police Coast Guard and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Mr Teo said: "Countering this threat requires a multiplicity of effort ... In our immediate region, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have been conducting coordinated patrols to enhance the security of the Malacca Strait."
For the early detection of maritime threats and to coordinate response, Singapore has set up the Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Command and Control Centre.
This had been purpose-built to collate and analyse information shared among an international network of partners. So far, six countries have stationed liaison officers at the centre.
Mr Teo said more countries are expected to do so in the coming months.
Beyond threats at sea, the terror threat remains very real for Singapore. Mr Wong said that is because the appeal of extremist and terrorist ideology is very much alive. Terrorist tradecraft and methods are also evolving.
So Singapore has undertaken measures to tighten its security, including high-risk targets such as the integrated resorts (IRs).
However, Mr Wong stressed that the most important asset is still people. That is where initiatives like the Community Engagement Programme to strengthen the community's crisis response come into play.
Imelda Saad
(With thanks to TODAYonline.com)
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from TODAY.
TODAY - Suspects not linked to shipping threat
06 March 2010
Indonesia's police chief has ruled out that at least 14 people caught in raids on suspected militants in Aceh province were linked to a threat to shipping in the Malacca Strait.
Police Chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri had told reporters earlier that a potential link was under investigation before the latest announcement was made.
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia had stepped up maritime patrols after the Singapore navy warned on Thursday of plans by an unnamed terrorist group to attack oil tankers in the strait.
In the latest raids, a police officer was killed and at least 10 wounded. The battle came during a police crackdown on militants suspected of being linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the group had set up in Aceh believing Indonesian security forces had lost interest in the province, since a violent separatist movement ended with a peace agreement in 2005. Mr Yudhoyono said the terrorists were not former members of the now defunct Free Aceh Movement, the only militant group previously known to operate in Aceh.
"This is a really well organised terrorist group who chose Aceh as its training region," he said, adding he had received reports that the alleged terrorist leader was not from Aceh.
The group of suspects were charged with plotting terrorist acts on Thursday and flown to Jakarta for further questioning yesterday. AGENCIES
(With thanks to TODAYonline.com)
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from TODAY.