SINGAPORE
Counter-terrorism in Singapore is a series of measures implemented in Singapore to detect and prevent terrorism, and to minimise damage from such terrorist acts should they occur. These measures involve all levels of society, including defence, internal security, border and infrastructure security, civil defence, medical readiness,
and psychological preparedness. Singapore also participates actively in international counterterrorism efforts. Singapore has not experienced terrorism since 1991.


DEFINITION OF TERRORISM IN SINGAPORE.
PRESS RELEASES.

Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Terrorism,Kuala Lumpur - Remark By Mr Wong Kan Seng Minister for Home Affairs, 21 May 02. The Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore gave an overview of the terrorist threat in Singapore and the measures taken to deal with it. The remarks made were as follows:

BACKGROUND.

The threat of terrorism to Singapore is not new. Singapore has had its brushes with terrorist groups in the past, involving foreigners. However, unlike past incidents, the recent Jemaah Islamiah (JI) episode saw the participation of Singaporeans in terrorist plans which, had they succeeded, would have resulted in significant loss of lives.

At the risk of oversimplification, what has made this JI terrorist group so different from previous groups is the impact of the Al-Qaeda. It was the exposure of JI leaders in Afghanistan and to Al-Qaeda training, which radicalized them not only by imbibing Al-Qaedas sophisticated terrorist tradecraft but also its ideology of global jihad.

The Al-Qaeda is a trans-national terrorist organization with sleeper cells all over the world. It has an operational reach to anywhere in the world. This terrorist challenge that Singapore and the rest of the world are facing today is like nothing we have ever encountered before.

Unlike Al-Qaeda, most terrorist groups since the turn of the 20th century were generally local in their agenda and all of them mounted terrorist operations mainly in their own national domains. The Al-Qaeda is of course not the first of its kind in this regard.

There were terrorist organizations such as the Japanese Red Army, whose members came all the way to Singapore to mount the Laju incident in 1974. What makes the Al-Qaeda unique is its ability to successfully franchise and indigenise its terrorist expertise and ideological agenda to otherwise autonomous, local militant Islamic organizations throughout the world, including as we have seen the JI.

The Al-Qaeda has been able to weave together a brotherhood of local terrorist and militant organizations, each with its own agenda and revolutionary histories, but at the same time, ideologically linked to the agenda of a common global jihad.

This means that even if the Al-Qaeda is dismantled, the pursuit of its jihad continues in these local groups. And given the internal resources and capabilities of these groups, the threat of terrorism can continue for a long time to come. This is what makes the current complex terrorist threat we are facing such a resilient, borderless and porous phenomena.


SINGAPORE'S STAND ON TERRORISM.
The definition of "terrorism'" should be left to esteemed bodies like the United Nations. Eminent organisations like the OIC which had made such an attempt, had difficulties agreeing on the definition. While we did not discuss the definition of "terrorism" at the Senior Officials' and the Ministerial meetings, we each in our own laws have defined terrorists and acts of terrorism.

For example, there is a definition of "terrorist" in Singapore's UN (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations. Those of us who have encountered terrorists and experienced acts of terrorism can recognize a terrorist and know the effects of terrorism on our security and stability.

As a responsible member of the global community, Singapore strongly condemns all forms of terrorism, and fully supports international efforts in combating terrorism. The United Nations Act was enacted in 2001 to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1373.

Under the Act, regulations allowing us to effect measures mandated by the UN Security Council have been issued. Singapore is party to 4 international conventions on terrorism. We signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism on 18 Dec 2001. We are in the process of acceding to and ratifying another 2 conventions.


SINGAPORE'S STRATEGY TO COUNTER TERRORISM.

(a) Close Cooperation

Singapore works closely with its ASEAN counterparts to combat terrorism. Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has regular contacts with its foreign counterparts to exchange intelligence. The ISD has shared information on the JI with Malaysia,Indonesia and the Philippines.

These have resulted in significant successes, e.g., the arrest of the JI bomb-maker Fathur Rohman Al Ghozi in the Philippines. Beyond terrorism, our other law enforcement agencies have established close relations with their regional counterparts to deal with other transnational criminals.

We recognize the need for multi-agency coordination within our country to deal with the terrorist threat. At the strategic level, the National Security Secretariat was established a couple of years ago. A Joint Counter-Terrorism Centre (JCTC) was also set up recently as a focal point to share intelligence on terrorism with external counterparts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also recently established the Homefront Security Centre, which will have oversight of security operations and joint exercises to test responses to various threats.

(b) Enhanced Security Measures

Singapores openness to trade and travel is its economic strength but can also be a security weakness. Following the September 11th attacks, security measures at its borders have been intensified to prevent the infiltration of undesirable persons. Stringent immigration and security checks are carried out at all sea, air and land checkpoints.

Where possible, we have enhanced our operational capability using technology. The Singapore Immigration and Registration has acquired equipment to detect forged travel documents. X-ray machines, walk-thru metal detectors are deployed to detect weapons and explosives.

Explosive sniffers capable of detecting explosives such as TNT, or even C4 which has low vapour emissions, are also deployed. Mobile X-ray machines at the land checkpoints enable effective inspection of cargo vehicles. In addition, Singapore is considering a security regime to screen and inspect import, export and trans-shipment cargo at our ports. This system would leverage on technology such as X-ray scanners and radiological detectors.

(c) Targeting Source of Financing for Terrorist Activities

It is widely believed that many terrorist activities are funded through a series of money laundering operations. It is vital that the integrity of banking systems are protected from such abuse. To strengthen the integrity of financial systems against abuse by terrorists and other criminal elements, Singapore fully supports and will comply with the Financial Action Task Force on Money Launderings Special Recommendations to Combat Financing of Terrorism.

Singapore has also applied to join the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, which serves as a platform of exchanges of financial information amongst member countries, and its membership has been accepted. Singapore will be formally recognised in Jun 2002 when it attends the Egmont Group Meeting in Monaco.

Singapore has a rigorous system of checks to detect and counter criminal use of the financial system. We will be introducing the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Bill in Parliament this Thursday 23 May 2002. This legislation will give effect to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism which Singapore signed on 18 Dec 2001.

SINGAPORE'S PROPOSAL
We as Home Affairs Ministers overseeing the law enforcement agencies, should direct our efforts towards practical measures and initiatives to meet the challenges from terrorism. Singapore proposes the following measures:

(a) ASEAN Member Countries can consider designating a special unit within their county to serve as a principal contact point with other foreign counterparts on counter-terrorism matters. This will facilitate the exchange of information among ASEAN Member Countries in the fight against terrorism.

Singapore's JCTC, which comprises the relevant local law enforcement and intelligence agencies working
together to share information on terrorism, will play this role. We look forward to exchanging information with such similar units in ASEAN.

(b) ASEAN Member Countries can leverage on and further strengthen existing frameworks, such as the ASEANAPOL to discuss practical measures and explore avenues for regional co-operation against terrorism.

Singapore offers to facilitate a dialogue session at the upcoming ASEANAPOL conference scheduled from 28-30 May 2002, to discuss practical measures and explore avenues of co-operation against terrorism.

(c) To enhance the capabilities of ASEAN Member Countries in the fight against terrorism, Singapore offers logistical support for training in bomb/explosive detection, post-blast investigation, airport security and passport/document security and inspection or any other areas that would enhance the capabilities of ASEAN Member Countries to counter terrorism.

Singapore welcomes any suggestion from ASEAN Member Countries on how such training programmes could be conducted and the areas of training.


THE ROAD AHEAD.
Every country is potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Although Singapore has crippled the JI cells and its plans in Singapore, the threat of terrorism has not disappeared and is not likely to go away for some time to come.

Since terrorism will continue to pose a serious threat to the security and stability of our region, Singapore is committed in the fight against terrorism by putting in place practical measures and actively supporting international efforts to eradicate this menace.

However, Singapore recognizes that given the global reach of terrorism, it is difficult for any country to fight
terrorism on its own. It is therefore imperative for ASEAN member countries to continue to work together to tackle terrorism as a group, especially towards more practical and effective co-operation, so as to ensure peace and stability in the region.


DEFINITION OF TERRORISM(IN GENERAL)
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. At present, there is no internationally agreed definition of terrorism. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for an ideological goal (as opposed to a lone attack), and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants.

Some definitions also include acts of unlawful violence and war. The history of terrorist organizations suggests that they do not select terrorism for its political effectiveness. Individual terrorists tend to be motivated more by a desire for social solidarity with other members of their organization than by political platforms or strategic objectives, which are often murky and undefined.

Terrorism has been practiced by a broad array of political organizations for furthering their objectives. It has been practiced by both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalistic groups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and ruling governments.

One form is the use of violence against noncombatants for the purpose of gaining publicity for a group, cause, or individual.


HISTORY OF TERRORISM.
The term "terrorism" was originally used to describe the actions of the Jacobin Club during the "Reign of Terror" in the French Revolution. "Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible," said Jacobin leader Maximilien Robespierre.

In 1795, Edmund Burke denounced the Jacobins for letting "thousands of those hell-hounds called Terrorists...loose on the people" of France.

In January 1858, Italian patriot Felice Orsini threw three bombs in an attempt to assassinate French Emperor Napoleon III. Eight bystanders were killed and 142 injured. The incident played a crucial role as an inspiration for the development of the early Russian terrorist groups.

Russian Sergey Nechayev, who founded People's Retribution in 1869, described himself as a "terrorist", an early example of the term being employed in its modern meaning.]Nechayev's story is told in fictionalized form by Fyodor Dostoevsky in the novel The Possessed. German anarchist writer Johann Most dispensed "advice for terrorists" in the 1880s.


SECURITY ISSUES.
Measures to ensure the use of our public transport is safe.

Public buses and taxis are required to comply with a set of Construction and Use standards to ensure road safety before the vehicles can be registered. The vehicles are also subject to compulsory regular vehicle inspection to ensure their roadworthiness when they are on the road.

In addition, the vocational drivers of such public service vehicles are required to maintain good safety driving records for application and renewal of their vocational licences.

The licensed operators of the MRT/LRT services are subject to a set of Operating Performance Standards (OPS), which include maintenance, operation and safety performance requirements. Operators who fail to meet such standards could be penalised under the Rapid Transit System Act.

Security against Terrorism
Public Transport Security Committee (PTSC)

The Chief Executive of LTA chairs a multi-agency Public Transport Security Committee that plans, coordinates and implements measures to enhance the security of Singapore's public transport system. Apart from the use of video surveillance systems, specially trained police officers and transit security officers are also deployed at our MRT stations and bus interchanges to detect security threats, protect commuters and prevent potential terrorist attacks.

CCTV Cameras at Stations
All MRT and LRT stations have been fitted with CCTV systems to monitor these premises in real-time.

Security Officers at Stations and Bus Interchanges specially trained uniformed officers are deployed at MRT stations and bus interchanges to detect security threats, protect commuters and prevent potential attacks on our public transport system.

Police Transport Command (Transcom)
A Police MRT Unit was first set up in August 2005 to complement the security in the MRT system. It has since evolved to become a fully operational police command called Transcom. The police officers of Transcom are armed and trained to look out for suspicious activities and items, conduct security patrols and checks, as well as respond to any security threat at MRT stations, trains and bus interchanges.

Removal of Litterbins and Containers
Litterbins and other types of containers have been removed from MRT stations as these could be used by potential terrorists to plant explosives.

Raising Public Awareness and Vigilance
Public education campaigns are conducted through security videos, posters as well as in-station and in-train announcements to heighten commuters' security awareness. The campaigns are also intended to raise public vigilance and garner their support to report suspicious persons, baggages or activities to the authorities.

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