SINGAPORE – The authorities will be increasing public engagement on SGSecure, a national movement to prepare the public for a terrorist attack, in response to the threats posed by terrorism, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said.
He said one such way will be through digital engagement strategies that will allow the creation of content that Singaporeans can relate to.
The minister was speaking at the SGSecure Roadshow at Suntec City on July 27.
The SGSecure movement, launched in September 2016 by then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, aims to help train and mobilise Singaporeans to play their part in preventing terrorist attacks, or equipping them with skills to handle such a crisis.
Mr Shanmugam said: “We have kept Singapore safe and secure so far, so as a result, people don’t think that there will be a terror attack, it’s not in people’s minds. But that doesn’t mean an attack won’t happen here.
“We have to continue to do our best together with the agencies to detect and prevent any terrorist attack. And, in the event of a successful attack, to manage the fallout.”
At the roadshow, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the SGSecure Instagram account and shared the latest updates made to the SGSecure mobile app.
Mr Shanmugam said the roadshows, launched in September 2023, have since attracted about 13,000 visitors.
The Instagram account (@SGSecureOfficial) will be a dedicated tool to help the Government raise awareness of terrorism and extremism, and provide educational content to those in the community keen to play a more active role in safeguarding the nation against such threats.
Meanwhile, updates to the mobile app include functions such as maps for locating emergency facilities including public shelters, and social media sharing options for SGSecure alerts.
The SGSecure movement also partnered with local singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono to debut a song at the roadshow – with an accompanying music video – titled Foiled Once More to emphasise the importance of social cohesion both in peacetime and in the aftermath of a terror attack.
MHA said the latest moves are part of its efforts to raise awareness of the terror threat. This comes after the Internal Security Department (ISD) said in its annual report on July 25 that terrorism threats here have increased since the Gaza war.
“While there is no indication of an imminent attack, the terrorism threat to Singapore remains high. Global developments and conflicts have generated emotive responses worldwide, including acts of violence, and terrorist elements have leveraged such conflicts to call for attacks. These developments have impacted Singapore’s internal security,” the ministry said.
Both MHA and ISD said online self-radicalisation is the primary threat within the Republic. Since 2015, 52 self-radicalised individuals – including 40 Singaporeans – have been issued orders under the Internal Security Act.
A nationwide government survey conducted in 2023 showed nearly half of the population, or 49 per cent, believed that Singapore is a target for terrorist attacks.
Anyone with information on or suspicion about terrorism-related activities or people who may be radicalised, should contact the ISD counter-terrorism hotline on 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).
Signs of possible radicalisation include:
- Frequently surfing radical websites
- Posting or sharing extremist views on social media platforms
- Sharing extremist views with friends and relatives
- Making remarks that promote ill will or hatred towards people of other races, religions or communities
- Expressing intent to participate in acts of violence overseas or in Singapore
- Inciting others to take part in acts of violence
As part of the SGSecure movement against security threats, the public can learn to prepare for the eventuality of a terrorist attack, to respond to it well and mitigate possible consequences such as racial and religious conflict.