ENHANCED COMMUNITY SECURITY (Training of uniformed servicemen and population)

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for Home Affairs what measures are being taken to better prepare and train our uniformed servicemen and population on enhanced community security.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, let me assure the House that our uniformed officers are well trained and equipped to handle a wide range of security threats.

We have, in place since 1982, a National Emergency System to ensure that Singapore survives any security threat. We conduct exercises regularly to ensure that the Home Team and various relevant agencies are operationally ready to respond to any emergency, including those arising from unconventional threats. Last year, and again in March this year, Police, SCDF and the SAF came together to exercise their plans to deal with various other unconventional threats, including chemical agent attack by terrorists. These exercises not only help to validate the operating principles and plans, but also provide valuable insights into the formulation of contingency plans and the development of capabilities to deal with various security threats.

Even before September 11th, Police had been training its officers, including Operationally Ready National Servicemen, in identifying bombs and improvised explosive devices, as well as guarding of key installations. We have over the years built up a specialised Key Installation Protection (or KINS) Force comprising National Servicemen. We also have specialised units within SCDF which are trained to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials, and biological and chemical agents.

In view of the current security environment, the Home Team has also stepped up training for all its regular officers, to maintain a high level of readiness. In addition, Police, together with ISD and the SAF, have briefed and trained security guards from private security firms and in-house security guards of selected establishments to identify explosives, firearms and other weapons, as well as how they should respond to any security incident.

The Government has consciously been creating security awareness amongst Singaporeans since the introduction of the Total Defence concept in 1984. Singaporeans recognise that they too have a role to play in ensuring Singapore's security. One way residents can contribute to the security of our neighbourhoods is by participating in the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP). Singaporeans also participate in Emergency exercises, such as the National Emergency Blood Donation Exercises or the Civil Defence Public Shelter Exercises, which are held from time to time. Indeed, Singaporeans can help our security agencies by staying calm in an emergency and alerting the security agencies if they come across something suspicious in their neighbourhoods.

The Home Team and various security agencies are ready to deal with a wide range of security threats. We will constantly anticipate changes in the security environment and prepare our uniformed officers to deal with these challenges. We will spare no effort in protecting Singapore's safety and security.

Mr Heng Chee How (Jalan Besar): Sir, will the Minister consider extending the practice of emergency exercises in respect of terrorism to include more direct participation by members of the public and also by the IRCCs?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Members who have constituencies which have experienced the Exercise Community Spirit exercises will know that, for example, last year in May, we conducted an exercise at Holland Village on a simulated aircraft crash. The point is these exercises must be realistic. So, in so far as terrorism is one of the threats that we face, certainly I think our agencies should consider conducting some of these exercises. But, in any case, the point is that I would urge Singaporeans to actively participate in all the exercises that we conduct, including, for example, public shelter exercises and also the public warning system exercise. I think this is one area where Singaporeans can do more, to know, for example, the three signals that we have formulated together with SCDF - the message alert, the alarm and the all-clear signals.

Mdm Cynthia Phua (Aljunied): Can I ask the Minister whether he will consider the use of security cameras in areas like the car park or community parks, as well as at the Kranji Reservoir where security is a concern?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: The point is we must be open to all devices that can help keep our neighbourbood safe. In fact, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has worked very well. About 96% of our neighbourhoods and precincts are covered already in Singapore. So I take this opportunity to urge the remaining 4% to come on board. In fact, we have debated this previously as to whether or not to use security cameras, and some precincts have done that. Mr Sin Boon Ann's precinct has done that quite successfully together with his grassroots leaders. Prof. Chin also considered it and I think one of his car parks in Woodlands has such cameras.

Sir, where appropriate, especially if the crime is localised, and security cameras will help deter criminals, that should be considered.