More officers, better technology: Home Team unveils security roadmap

SINGAPORE: The Republic faces three main security challenges - terrorism; transnational and cyber crime; and domestic challenges - which will require the right strategy and additional resources to address, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean on Friday (Mar 6).

To counter these threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) expenditure will increase by 11.7 per cent in the coming fiscal year. Over the next five years, the ministry's expenditure will increase from 1.1 per cent of nominal GDP in FY2014 to 1.3 per cent, said Mr Teo at the Committee of Supply 2015 debate in Parliament. About 2,000 more officers will be added to its current pool in five years.

Much of the expenditure increase will go into an increase in spending on new systems and technology, with development expenditure rising from 8 per cent in the past five years to 20 per cent in the coming five years.

THE TERRORISM THREAT

The threat of terrorism has been driven home in recent months by the Sydney siege last December, Paris attacks in January and Copenhagen shooting last month, as well as the rise of the Islamic State.

"The Home Team will continue to deter and deal with terrorism by securing our borders, hardening our infrastructure, and maintaining our capability to respond swiftly and effectively to any threats that come to light," said Mr Teo.

"We will continue to conduct exercises to hone our response, as well as enhance our intelligence capabilities and work with international partners to identify and pre-empt terrorism threats."

But no matter how the authorities and the Home Team plan to counter such threats, Mr Teo said the key to security in Singapore lies in the hands of the people. He highlighted the "key role" community and religious groups as well as individuals play in preventing and deterring terrorism, and in maintaining social cohesion and harmony in the aftermath of an attack.

"Individual Singaporeans play an important part in maintaining vigilance. If you notice signs that a friend or family member has possibly been radicalised, you should alert the authorities. Acting pre-emptively could help stop them from harming themselves and protect others from harm," he said.

"As Singaporeans, we must continue to build on what we have in common, rather than accentuate our differences. We must also carry on with our daily lives, reach out to each other, and not allow fear to paralyse our society."

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More officers, better technology: Home Team unveils security roadmap