SECURITY AT TRAIN AND BUS DEPOTS

SECURITY AT TRAIN AND BUS DEPOTS: 18.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent breach of security at the SMRT depot (a) what is the Ministry doing to strengthen the security at all train and bus depots/interchanges; (b) what is the procedure for all train carriages/buses to be checked by the transport operators

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before they go into service each morning; and (c) why was the graffiti on the SMRT train not spotted and the train allowed to leave the depot.

19.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport whether he will consider enhancing security measures at MRT train depots, benchmarked against those at Changi Airport, considering the relative number of passengers carried by a train and a plane.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos. 18 and 19 together as they are related?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Mr Speaker, my Ministry takes a serious view of the breach of security at SMRT's Changi Depot.

Following the incident, both public transport operators, SMRT and SBS Transit, have taken immediate steps to strengthen the security at their train and bus depots. Measures include the installation of more CCTV cameras and concertina wire along the perimeter fence of the train depots, increased security presence in terms of the numbers of guards and the frequency of patrols, and stepped up checks of both the interior and exterior of trains and buses before they depart for service.

In addition, the inter-agency Public Transport Security Committee (PTSC), chaired by the Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), is undertaking a comprehensive review of the security of our entire public transport system. The PTSC's review will take about six to eight months to complete. Through this system-wide review, we aim to address any security gaps and see to practical improvements that need to be made to enhance the security of Singapore's public

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transport system. In doing so, the PTSC considers international best practices, as well as those from other sectors, including Changi Airport. However, we should also bear in mind that there are differences in risk levels and ground practicalities between MRT train depots and Changi Airport. The PTSC would thus have to arrive at a set of recommendations best suited for our public transport network.

As for why the graffiti was not spotted before the train left the depot, SMRT had explained that, prior to the incident, only the interior of train cabins were checked before the trains were launched into the network. This checking of MRT train interiors before leaving the depot and going into operation is part of the current procedures to ensure that MRT trains do not have any articles or items in them which could pose a security risk to commuters. Several SMRT staff had, in fact, noticed the graffiti but mistook it for an advertisement.

This incident at Changi Depot serves as a timely reminder to all of us that are involved in ensuring security to remain vigilant at all times. It is important that agencies learn lessons from this incident and take action to rectify the shortcomings. In doing so, we will continue to take a measured and risk-based approach towards security while not impairing the efficiency of our public transport system.

Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tanjong Pagar): I thank the Minister for his answer. I agree with the Minister that pragmatism should prevail and that it is also not possible to be fully foolproof, in terms of security measures, whether it is for MRT depots or at the Airport. But I would like the PTSC or perhaps the Ministry to also consider the impact on the number of people, which I understand is about 1,600 passengers, coming on-board a MRT train

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versus an aeroplane which is about a few hundred passengers. I think the extent of lives at risk, should a threat occur, is very real. I do hope that the Ministry will consider benchmarking the security measures for the airport versus a MRT depot.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Sir, as I have said, we will take into account not just Changi Airport but international best practices on how best to get this done. We share the Member's concern. The public transport system is a system that carries large numbers of people everyday. We are deeply conscious of this. So the PTSC will do a thorough review and see what more we can do to enhance safety and security.

Ms Sylvia Lim: Sir, a few supplementary questions. First, the Minister mentioned that after this incident, the two public transport operators (PTOs) are actually stepping up their depot security quite significantly by installing more cameras, conducting more patrols, etc. Does he not agree that up to now, perhaps, too light an approach has been taken on depot security? Second, does the Minister accept that the Government has an important oversight and regulatory role when it comes to public transport security? Third, I would like to ask the Minister who in the MOT or LTA is actually in charge of security, or is it MHA? Fourth, does the Ministry audit the security levels at the PTO sites?

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: One of the Member's questions was: who looks after public transport security? As I mentioned in my reply, we have an inter-agency group, which is the Public Transport Security Committee (PTSC), chaired by the Chief Executive of LTA but he has all the relevant agencies in there.

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As SMRT had acknowledged, there was a serious security lapse. That was why it had taken immediate steps to rectify this. The other question that she asked is on the role that the Government plays. I will just touch on this because a Question is coming up later. I think it is a shared responsibility when it comes to public transport security. The public transport operators have a primary responsibility like all business entities to ensure the security of their facilities, operations and that of their commuters. On the part of the Government, through the PTSC, it provides an overall security framework and coordinates the work of the various agencies.

Her final question is on whether we conduct audits. Yes, we do that. For instance, in all the bus interchanges and MRT stations, we constantly check this on a monthly basis to ensure that the security systems are in place and effective.

Ms Sylvia Lim: Sir, I have two further questions. Firstly, do the Government agencies conduct audits of depot security? Secondly, which I forgot to ask earlier, is on the SMRT's reply about the workers thinking that the graffiti was an advertisement. Does the Minister find that to be an acceptable answer?

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: I think we all wished that there was requisite situational awareness, in answer to her last question, because there are different layers of security. They did notice the graffiti, but as I have said, they took it as an advertisement. Going forward, they have stepped up their visual checks on the train exterior, going out. I think they need to work out a system of coordination where this sort of information is floated up. As for whether we conduct audits and checks, we review that constantly, whether it is for bus interchanges, depots or MRT stations.