Keeping Singapore safe
By Desmond Lee
'DKO D@BG NSGDQ QDL@HM UHFHK@MS @MC TMHSDC @F@HMRS SGQD@SR
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ust days before our 51st National Day, news broke about a terrorist Ƥ Ǥ ǡ ƥ Ǥ Ƥ ǡ Ǥ ƪ ǡ Ǥ Ƥ to attack Singapore, nor will it be the last. It is therefore crucial that all Singaporeans pull together under the SG Secure national movement. Together with the Home Team, we all have a part to play to try to prevent an attack, deal with one when it does happen on our soil, and to recover from its immediate aftermath. When Jurong Spring constituency held its Emergency Preparedness Day in May this year, many community volunteers worked ƥ ǡ ǡ with residents. This teaches us what we should do if caught in the middle of a terrorist attack. Many residents also participated actively Ƥ ǡ ǡ ǡ learn how to use common items to help ourselves or others who may be wounded in an attack. ƪ nocent lives. Another victim could be Singapore’s racial and religious harmony. Will fellow Singaporeans pull together in the aftermath of an attack, and continue to trust each other and work together as ǡ ǫ
Ƥ because of fear or suspicion?
Critical to have robust ties with each other If the outcome is the latter, the entire fabric of Singapore society will be undone. Strengthening our resilience and social cohesion cannot be achieved by national programmes alone. Instead, it comes down to every individual – by understanding and respecting the culture and practices of other races and faiths in Singapore, by actively inviting and including neighbours and friends from other races and ǡ Ƥ diversity of our neighbourhoods and communities that is uniquely Singapore. We can all play a part in helping fellow Singaporeans remain vigilant and prepared against terrorism, and to rally and unite the community when an attack hits us. Let us remain united and strong as one people against these Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ǡ peers - must remain robust and prevail, especially in the aftermath of an attack. The writer is Senior Minister of State, 0LQLVWU\ RI +RPH $ƨDLUV DQG 0LQLVWU\ RI National Development
Prepare now to handle terrorist threats
By Amrin Amin
.TQ OQDO@QDCMDRR HM CD@KHMF VHSG SDQQNQHRS SGQD@SR VHKK RG@OD NTQ QDRONMRD
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ơ away from us. Today, terrorism is at our doorstep – as recent examples show in Selangor, Malaysia and in Jakarta, Indonesia. We know that Singapore is a target. We must prepare ourselves and know what we can do to prevent attacks, what we should do when caught in an attack and what to do Ǥ Ƥ ǡ ple. We must be well-prepared to respond across all levels. Each of us must do our part by being vigilant and report suspicious activity to prevent and deter terror attacks here. We must equip ourselves with skills and knowledge on how to respond in the event of an attack, so that we can help not just ourselves, but also fellow Singaporeans. We should get to know our neighbours and build bridges across racial and religious groups to strengthen our solidarity. The Police and SCDF are on the ground, going house-to-house to share on what to do in an attack. Grassroots leaders and resident volunteers are working tirelessly to spread SG Secure messages. Everyone
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September 2016
must come together to do this important work. It is our country and our shared responsibility to defeat extremism and terrorism. From attending SG Secure events and programmes such as Emergency Preparedness Day, and inviting neighbours and friends to do the same, to downloading and using SPF’s i-Witness function on the Police@SG app or SCDF’s MyResponder app on where we can seek help and provide crucial information during an attack, all of us can do something, right now. a terror attack. How well we respond will depend on how much we have prepared ourselves and how well we know and understand one another. Let us do our part to strengthen our solidarity as one people and keep Singapore safe and secure! The writer is Parliamentary Secretary, 0LQLVWU\ RI +RPH $ƨDLUV