Monday May 21, 10:17
PM
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been given
additional powers to deal with the changed security
landscape.
This follows an amendment to the SAF Act.
But in the parliamentary debate before the Act was passed, MPs
expressed concerns at how such wide-ranging powers would be carried
out.
The security landscape has changed since the September 11, 2001
attack in the US.
The new reality now - unconventional threats where perpetrators may
not even be in uniform or carry guns.
So the SAF has been given new powers, to act alongside domestic
agencies like the police.
A select group of SAF personnel - some 2,000 of them - are being
specially trained and will be able to search, detain and use
reasonable force against terror suspects under special
situations.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean told Parliament that this was
necessary to address the new security threats.
He said the existing domestic legal framework was not
adequate.
But MPs had some concerns.
Among them - how would such personnel be identified, would they be
discreet and what about the possibility of impersonation or even
abuse?
MP Indranee Rajah said: "I appreciate that the servicemen cannot
stop (a person) on the spot and call back for orders and say
'Excuse me, can I search the person?'. I think the point I want to
make is that it's not just the methodology of carrying out the
search procedure, but the training in when to exercise the
discretion, how to exercise the discretion, particularly when
dealing with civilians."
MP Ong Chit Chung said: "In the London underground, a person was
shot by mistake, suspected wrongly of being a terrorist. Would
there be clear rules of engagement for SAF servicemen and how well
would they be trained to handle tricky and delicate situations?
Bear in mind, mishaps cannot be ruled out."
MP Michael Palmer said: "Almost every male Singaporean owns, or has
in his possession, a camouflage No. 4 uniform. In fact, it is
readily available for purchase at various army surplus stores. Does
this mean that once the order is made, we must allow everyone in
No. 4 uniform to stop, search and seize and arrest us without
warrant? How will we know which serviceman has the authority to act
under Section 201 (C) order? How will we know whether a serviceman
is or isn't on duty even if he falls under the Act?"
The Defence Minister stressed that additional powers will be
clearly identified.
Mr Teo said: "SAF personnel on security operations will wear an
identification like an armband that says 'Military Security', much
like the military police band today. In addition, we'll issue a
Military Security identification card to SAF personnel conducting
military operations. This card will have a photo of the military
personnel, his name and his NRIC number. The card will be issued to
the military personnel for the duration of the operation."
Mr Teo added that unlike a police warrant card which has wider
powers, the Military Security identification card gives SAF
personnel limited powers for checks in a defined area to conduct
specific tasks. - CNA/ir