Singaporeans complacent about possibility of terror attacks

Clivebenss SG

by Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 09 November 2010 1017 hrs

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said an experiment conducted recently by the police showed Singaporeans were "generally complacent" about the possibility of a terrorist attack here.

In the experiment, cars rigged with tell-tale signs of a bomb were left parked at nine locations, including Orchard Road, Shenton Way and Marina Bay, from 8am to 7pm.

Of the roughly 7,200 people who passed within 10 metres of the vehicles, only 260 or 3.6 per cent noticed the vehicle.

And of these, only 52 people acted immediately and alerted police or civil defence officers.

Another 44 people had noticed something amiss, but admitted they did not intend to report it.

Mr Wong said the experiment showed Singaporeans were "generally complacent" about the possibility of a terrorist attack, though it gave authorities "some satisfaction" that there were some who did act on their suspicions.

Mr Wong said security planners in Singapore must rethink ways to best engage the community to remain vigilant.

In his first address as Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Wong said rather than attain a uniform level of preparedness across society, it may be more pragmatic and sustainable to develop an activist cadre in specific domains.

In this respect, he said the Community Engagement Programme started in 2006 has been successful in grooming a small but active pool of grassroots volunteers.

He said a change of mindset is needed, because over time, people become less vigilant about security matters.

And this was an observation made not just in Singapore, but also in other countries that had experienced terror attacks.

Mr Wong also cautioned against becoming "overly preoccupied" with the latest terror attack, and neglecting to place them in context of past terrorist incidents.

"The fact is while these threats demonstrate creativity and an adaptive quality, they are seldom completely brand new. Often they are revisions of past efforts in the same vein," Mr Wong said.

So for instance, parcel bombs like those recently discovered onboard flights from Yemen to the US, were already popular among Palestinian terror groups in the 1980s.

And here, academics and researchers can offer valuable insight and historical perspective into how future threats may evolve, says Mr Wong.

Mr Wong was speaking at the annual National Security Seminar, held at the Civil Service College.

-CNA/wk

charlize SG

So if the experiment caused a panic among the people there and there was a stampede, who would be responsible?

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

let's see...

for starters, I tot DPM changed liaox??? why still WKS???

and u see the newspaper... MRT station check bag, got ppl write to newspaper complain... MRT station no check bag, also got ppl write to newspaper complain...

how ah how???

Ah lizzy ah... U see Ex NorthStar... Got smoke got bang... next day everyone complain...

ditzy SG

How do you tell if a vehicle is rigged with a bomb? Honestly, I can't tell. Maybe if it had big bold words written all over it, I might be led to believe.

Maybe it will emit smoke or bright lights with it. Geez who in the right mind would want to rig a vehicle with a bomb and let the whole world know its one? Seriously?

charlize SG

How do you tell if a vehicle is rigged with a bomb? Honestly, I can't tell. Maybe if it had big bold words written all over it, I might be led to believe.

Maybe it will emit smoke or bright lights with it. Geez who in the right mind would want to rig a vehicle with a bomb and let the whole world know its one? Seriously?

They think Singaporeans have been trained to identify suspicious looking cars.

And when bad things happen, they complain that Singaporeans are complacent.

Just like when MS escaped.

Casopia-maplesea SG

its prob cos we nvr experienced an attack before, but with the enthusiasm of our govt, ill bet one attack can heighthen the security everywhere to levels our dear forumers woulld be so happy to see

p.s im not interested in an attk, so dun quote me wrong^^

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

ditzy SG

let's see...

for starters, I tot DPM changed liaox??? why still WKS???

and u see the newspaper... MRT station check bag, got ppl write to newspaper complain... MRT station no check bag, also got ppl write to newspaper complain...

how ah how???

Ah lizzy ah... U see Ex NorthStar... Got smoke got bang... next day everyone complain...

If you notice, those guys at MRT stations only check big black bags, you could carry a humongous bag that is rainbow colored, but they won't give a hoot.

I got checked plenty of times just coz my bag is black, and big, while the rest of the farkers in around me can be carrying bags bigger than mine but not black and they don't get checked.

You see how people are actually educated in how potential bombs can come only in big black bags, nothing else?

Casopia-maplesea SG

ive heard MS escaped cos of our terrible security at his so-called detention center, so i wonder if its our govt to blame or the 'smarts' of MS?

charlize SG

If you notice, those guys at MRT stations only check big black bags, you could carry a humongous bag that is rainbow colored, but they won't give a hoot.

I got checked plenty of times just coz my bag is black, and big, while the rest of the farkers in around me can be carrying bags bigger than mine but not black and they don't get checked.

You see how people are actually educated in how potential bombs can come only in big black bags, nothing else?

Casopia-maplesea SG

what if bomb is in underwear? maybe police order a stripsearch 0.0

Rock^Star SG

yet this WKS is the same farker who was complacent enough to let mas selamat escape from a supposedly high security prison.

sansiro77 SG

This is because a terrorist attack WILL NEVER happen in S'pore!We're so small,no one notices us anyway.It seems that the only people trying to attract the attention of the terrorists are the government themselves.By condemning terrorist attacks when no one asks their opinions.By supporting the US in attacking Iraq even though the US are using false proofs.If we just keep our opinions to ourselves,just ensure the citizens are well protected,there's no need to trumpet our existence to the terrorists.

ditzy SG

If someone is going to reply me that bag searches at MRT stations, I am gonna reply that they are so random, only big black bags get picked out of random.

Casopia-maplesea SG

the JI's aims is to convert singapore into an islamic state by bombing us... 0.0 i dun know how that's possible, getting a group of liars to stain the religion of islam, its just plain stupid. killing in the name of islam? i dun think the quran ever justified that :)

ThunderFbolt SG

Not quite. Islam was spread by the conquering of neighbouring nations around Mecca when it first came about. See also how the Prophet Muhammed "persuaded" Mecca to become Muslim. I don't think you can have conquests without plenty of death on both sides. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spread_of_Islam)

Also,

2:190-193 Fight in the cause of God, those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out: For tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; But fight them not at the sacred Mosque unless they first fight you there; But if they fight you, Slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression."

So killing is allowed, just until the opposers back off. That's fine, most countries do this. (In the name of their country, not Islam.)

Though they do have a particular like for Jews and Christians.

9:5 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem; but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Seems a rather "accept Islam or face our wrath" kind of thing. (I've no idea what this forbidden months mean though. It is mentioned in 9:1 about four months something.)

Note: To any Muslims out there, I do not mean to offend. I understand that this is the English translation of the Arabic text and the words translated may have been altered to have its meaning harsher that what it should be. If you have a better translation of the original text or an explanation of why your book says this, I would be happy to try to understand from your point of view.

Also, not saying that other religions don't have violent histories either. (Christianity - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades , etc.)

But coming back to the OP yeah, we are rather apathetic, in general. =P

Junyang700 SG

WTF? Actually 3 near-terrorist attacks almost happened, but were uncovered before the plan succeeded. One in Yishun MRT, one in Changi Airport and the other at Orchard MRT.

Junyang700 SG

The reason why Singaporeans dun report when they see a suspicious item - it could be somebody else's item... and you might end up drinking coffee with the police for prank call.

There is one thing Singaporeans dun dare to do .... - and that is to open up our mouth.

Look at what SMRT did to the guy who reported a train fault. He was handcuffed and arrested on the spot, and turns out it was really a train fault.

They will just walk faster and avoid the parcel.

likeyou SG

If someone is going to reply me that bag searches at MRT stations, I am gonna reply that they are so random, only big black bags get picked out of random.

No racists if offended my apologise....normally they search foreigners and malays. Which I saw a few times. For me, I carry bag, also never even want to see me.

Clivebenss SG

No racists if offended my apologise....normally they search foreigners and malays. Which I saw a few times. For me, I carry bag, also never even want to see me.

you too guai oredi.