before osama was killed, security was not tightened?
DPM Wong: S'pore has tightened border security
By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer
FOLLOWING the killing of Al- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Sunday, Singapore has tightened security at its borders and checkpoints, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday.
Mr Wong, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, stressed that there is no room for complacency, especially since some terrorist groups might now be incited to mount acts of reprisal.
There is thus a need to put in place 'appropriate measures', such as more careful screening of visitors to guard against the entry of terrorist operatives, he said.
Speaking at a press conference after a walkabout in Bishan-Toa Payoh constituency, where he is standing for election, Mr Wong said Singaporeans have a tendency to take security for granted: 'In good times, everything is calm and stable and in bad times, Singaporeans are more concerned about jobs and their next meal.
'So safety and security are pushed back, until something happens in the neighbourhood, in the region.'
He added, however, that Singapore, as an open economy, must keep its ports and airports functioning and that while the threat of terrorist attacks is real, citizens must not be so paralysed by fear that they shut themselves off from the rest of the world.
His call to guard against complacency echoed that of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who said on Monday that while the death of the mastermind of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States has made the world a bit safer, Singaporeans must continue to be vigilant, given that Al-Qaeda and its franchises are still active globally and in the region.
Separately yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement to say that 'it would be prudent for Singapore to be extra vigilant' against terror attacks, in view of recent activity by Jemaah Islamiah-related terrorist elements in Indonesia.
Large bombs were found in Indonesia on Good Friday, and grenades in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago.
The ministry said that besides ramping up security at the borders and checkpoints, security presence and alert levels have been raised within key establishments here.
The US has reportedly put its embassies around the world on alert and has warned Americans of the possibility of Al-Qaeda reprisal attacks; other governments have also announced tighter security measures.
Osama was killed by US special forces in a targeted operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a town about 56km north of the capital Islamabad.
DPM Wong: S'pore has tightened border security
By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer
FOLLOWING the killing of Al- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Sunday, Singapore has tightened security at its borders and checkpoints, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday.
Mr Wong, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, stressed that there is no room for complacency, especially since some terrorist groups might now be incited to mount acts of reprisal.
There is thus a need to put in place 'appropriate measures', such as more careful screening of visitors to guard against the entry of terrorist operatives, he said.
Speaking at a press conference after a walkabout in Bishan-Toa Payoh constituency, where he is standing for election, Mr Wong said Singaporeans have a tendency to take security for granted: 'In good times, everything is calm and stable and in bad times, Singaporeans are more concerned about jobs and their next meal.
'So safety and security are pushed back, until something happens in the neighbourhood, in the region.'
He added, however, that Singapore, as an open economy, must keep its ports and airports functioning and that while the threat of terrorist attacks is real, citizens must not be so paralysed by fear that they shut themselves off from the rest of the world.
His call to guard against complacency echoed that of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who said on Monday that while the death of the mastermind of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States has made the world a bit safer, Singaporeans must continue to be vigilant, given that Al-Qaeda and its franchises are still active globally and in the region.
Separately yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement to say that 'it would be prudent for Singapore to be extra vigilant' against terror attacks, in view of recent activity by Jemaah Islamiah-related terrorist elements in Indonesia.
Large bombs were found in Indonesia on Good Friday, and grenades in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago.
The ministry said that besides ramping up security at the borders and checkpoints, security presence and alert levels have been raised within key establishments here.
The US has reportedly put its embassies around the world on alert and has warned Americans of the possibility of Al-Qaeda reprisal attacks; other governments have also announced tighter security measures.
Osama was killed by US special forces in a targeted operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a town about 56km north of the capital Islamabad.
