SINGAPORE : Home Affairs MInister Wong Kan Seng has warned that
those who play pranks on Singapore's public transport system, for
example with bomb hoaxes, will be prosecuted - and the penalty will
be very heavy.
In fact, two persons were charged in court on Monday for such a
prank.
Mr Wong left no doubt about the government's uncompromising stand
on mischief makers when he replied to questions in Parliament on
Monday on Singapore's anti-terror measures.
Mr Wong said public education on enhancing security in Singapore's
public transport system was ongoing.
And this is not just confined to the MRT trains but also bus
interchanges and taxi companies, whose drivers have been trained to
identify suspicious persons and articles.
But there is an ugly side to Singaporeans that needs to be
addressed.
Ms Irene Ng, MP for Tampines GRC, said: "There has been instances
where the MRT services were disrupted because suspicious parcels
were found, but they were found out to be litter left behind by
Singaporeans."
Mr Wong said: "They may not just be considered a lost item, but if
the item looks suspicious, it may even cause inconvenience to other
travellers, and I would urge them to be very careful about leaving
any parcel behind.
"Even on the MRT itself, there are posters advising commuters to
look out for such items. And when they see such posters I hope they
also will be reminded that they should not leave such items behind,
they cause suspicion."
Mr Wong said there had been instances when people call up and make
bomb hoaxes. They were caught and sentenced to long-term jail
sentences.
For example, a disgruntled SMRT staff who left a suspicious parcel
under a train seat, was caught on closed circuit TV - and he is now
in jail for three-and-a-half years.
Mr Wong said: "Under the current situation and the threat we are
facing, we will not look kindly on anyone who wants to cause such a
prank."
Turning to air transport security, he said Singapore was pursuing
agreements with foreign authorities prepared to accommodate air
marshals on selected flights.
Mr Wong said: "You can have the best of systems, the best of
procedures, the best of equipment. Ultimately, it must depend on
the person who implements those procedures, who executes those
measures and screens the passengers, and that is the part we pay
attention to. And when we find airports that we are lacking, we
will also pay particular attention to them."
Parliament was also given an update on the enhanced security at SAF
camps.
New technology has been introduced, including intrusion detection
devices and equipment to screen visitors and vehicles.
Mr Teo Chee Hean, Defence Minister, said: "The 'hardware' measures
put in place at our SAF facilities include the installation of
intrusion detection devices along security fences and the use of
CCTVs to enhance the monitoring of remote places.
"These are complemented by guards who make frequent patrols to
provide added deterrence. These patrols are deliberately executed
at irregular intervals so as not to make the routine
predictable.
"X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors are also employed
to screen visitors and servicemen prior to entry. Physical searches
by security personnel may also be enforced. Vehicles are also
subject to inspections by undercarriage mirrors and cameras, and
explosives-trained sniffer dogs."
He added that to avert the possibility of vehicles charging in at
high speeds into SAF facilities, barriers have been erected to deny
vehicles a straight run towards a facility.
At key installations, mechanical retractable bollards and rising
kerbs have also been installed and can be activated by security
personnel, should an unauthorised vehicle attempt to barge into an
SAF facility.
Security awareness programmes have also been instituted throughout
the SAF, including among new recruits. - CNA/de