Singapore an important target for terrorists; recent attacks, arrests in Malaysia a reminder of threat: Shanmugam
While there are currently no specific threats picked up in Singapore, everyone should still stay vigilant to any dangers that may arise, he added. “Our security is closely linked to Malaysia’s security. Due to proximity, what happens in Malaysia will have an impact on our security landscape,” he said.Back in December 2001, the Internal Security Department thwarted attacks on locations in Singapore, including Yishun MRT Station and key military installations like the Ministry of Defence Headquarters at Bukit Gombak.“They wanted to plan retaliatory attacks against Singapore,” said Mr Shanmugam.
Mr Shanmugam also noted that attackers can now use easily available items, such as knives, to carry out attacks. “We have seen this around the world,” he said, also citing the example of attackers using cars to run down pedestrians. Mr Shanmugam noted that the attacker, Radin Luqman, had gone with a bag of metal sheets and other objects, like a bulletproof vest across his chest. This meant that the “brazen attack” was likely “pre-planned and pre-prepared”, he said.
“We now have more than 460,000 travellers crossing every day between Singapore and Malaysia through the two Causeways, in addition to other forms of travel,” he said.