Lo Hwei Yen's death a stark reminder that global terrorism is no respecter of human values and decency
THE news on television last Friday night and in the newspapers on Saturday morning of the discovery of the body of 28-year-old Ms Lo Hwei Yen, a Singapore lawyer, on the 17th floor of the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai shocked and angered me immensely. Why kill an innocent young woman who had the whole world before her?
I am not sure how Ms Lo met her death. Was she cold-bloodedly murdered by the fanatical terrorists in frustration and desperation, or was she killed in the firefight between the friendly forces and the terrorist insurgents. The circumstances that caused Ms Lo's death are at this juncture irrelevant. What is relevant is that her death was attributed to the cowardice of the terrorists who laid siege to the hotel. Terrorists are inevitably criminals and murderers with total disregard for the sanctity of human lives. They are no different from vicious animals whose only concern is to shed blood and bring terror and mayhem to innocent and defenceless people just to further their own evil cause. Hence, Ms Lo's death should be a stark reminder that global terrorism is no respecter of human values and decency.
Although Singapore is relatively safe and secure, thanks to our competent and professional intelligence agencies, the police and armed forces. However, we should never take our tranquillity for granted, nor should live on the edge. We should go about our daily pursuits and not live in fear as this is the goal of the terrorists - to make the lives of peace-loving people as miserable as possible.
In his speech at the National Security Dialogue with the business community at Orchard Hotel on May 21, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security S. Jayakumar said: 'Terrorists not only seek to inflict physical and psychological damage, but their intention is also to disrupt and alter our way of life. Therefore, as the economy is one of the key pillars of our society, the private sector cannot simply be a passive player. Instead, the private sector can play an important part to help shape our security environment.'
Similarly, if security and safety are to be the top priority of all Singaporeans, the task of maintaining good and vibrant security should be a shared responsibility between all Singaporeans and the law enforcement agencies. In a nutshell, it is the bounden duty of all Singaporeans to act as the eyes and ears of Singapore law enforcement agencies.
Having been the regional security specialist for an international hotel group in Singapore and Asia, I can, without sounding boastful, consider myself an authority on hotel security. I have also been commended by the Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department and the Singapore Hotel Association for outstanding hotel security and safety achievements. Hence, from the newspaper reports, I am of the opinion that the terrorist attacks on the multiple sites in Mumbai were well coordinated and executed. This could not have been done if the terrorists had not carried out dry runs to coordinate their operation. They had surely conducted reconnaissance and gathered excellent intelligence on their targets.
As a hotel security professional, I may add that the synchronised attacks on the two five-star hotels, the Taj Intercontinental and the Oberoi, give me reason to believe the terrorists had inside assistance. I base my opinion on newspaper reports that the terrorists were able to breeze their way through the hotels, especially in the 'back of house' of these two hotels. For those who are not familiar with hotel parlance, the 'back of house' is deemed sacred ground where various sensitive departments such as purchasing, housekeeping, room service, stewarding, cold stores, kitchens and engineering are located. Thus, the 'back of house' is out of bounds to unauthorised people and it is the duty of all hotel staff to ensure no unauthorised person loiters there.
If Ms Lo was killed by her captors who held her hostage, I believe they did so because she was Singaporean. It is no secret that terrorist groups that are affiliated with Al-Qaeda have a deep-rooted hatred of Singapore because of its relentless fight against terrorism, and the incarceration of members of Jemaah Islamiah under the Internal Security Act. If this was the motive for cold-bloodedly murdering Ms Lo, then she is worthy of a state funeral. If a state funeral is not possible, I suggest all Singaporeans be encouraged to fly the national flag at half-mast as a sign of grief and mourning for Ms Lo.
Last but not least, my heartfelt and sincere condolences go out to Ms Lo's husband and loved ones. May she rest in peace. As for the murderous terrorists, contrary of them going to 'paradise' into the arms of 'virgins', they are now in a place of eternal damnation. And the captured terrorists should be prepared to receive their just deserts, which under Indian law is a date with the hangman.
Lionel De Souza
THE news on television last Friday night and in the newspapers on Saturday morning of the discovery of the body of 28-year-old Ms Lo Hwei Yen, a Singapore lawyer, on the 17th floor of the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai shocked and angered me immensely. Why kill an innocent young woman who had the whole world before her?
I am not sure how Ms Lo met her death. Was she cold-bloodedly murdered by the fanatical terrorists in frustration and desperation, or was she killed in the firefight between the friendly forces and the terrorist insurgents. The circumstances that caused Ms Lo's death are at this juncture irrelevant. What is relevant is that her death was attributed to the cowardice of the terrorists who laid siege to the hotel. Terrorists are inevitably criminals and murderers with total disregard for the sanctity of human lives. They are no different from vicious animals whose only concern is to shed blood and bring terror and mayhem to innocent and defenceless people just to further their own evil cause. Hence, Ms Lo's death should be a stark reminder that global terrorism is no respecter of human values and decency.
Although Singapore is relatively safe and secure, thanks to our competent and professional intelligence agencies, the police and armed forces. However, we should never take our tranquillity for granted, nor should live on the edge. We should go about our daily pursuits and not live in fear as this is the goal of the terrorists - to make the lives of peace-loving people as miserable as possible.
In his speech at the National Security Dialogue with the business community at Orchard Hotel on May 21, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security S. Jayakumar said: 'Terrorists not only seek to inflict physical and psychological damage, but their intention is also to disrupt and alter our way of life. Therefore, as the economy is one of the key pillars of our society, the private sector cannot simply be a passive player. Instead, the private sector can play an important part to help shape our security environment.'
Similarly, if security and safety are to be the top priority of all Singaporeans, the task of maintaining good and vibrant security should be a shared responsibility between all Singaporeans and the law enforcement agencies. In a nutshell, it is the bounden duty of all Singaporeans to act as the eyes and ears of Singapore law enforcement agencies.
Having been the regional security specialist for an international hotel group in Singapore and Asia, I can, without sounding boastful, consider myself an authority on hotel security. I have also been commended by the Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department and the Singapore Hotel Association for outstanding hotel security and safety achievements. Hence, from the newspaper reports, I am of the opinion that the terrorist attacks on the multiple sites in Mumbai were well coordinated and executed. This could not have been done if the terrorists had not carried out dry runs to coordinate their operation. They had surely conducted reconnaissance and gathered excellent intelligence on their targets.
As a hotel security professional, I may add that the synchronised attacks on the two five-star hotels, the Taj Intercontinental and the Oberoi, give me reason to believe the terrorists had inside assistance. I base my opinion on newspaper reports that the terrorists were able to breeze their way through the hotels, especially in the 'back of house' of these two hotels. For those who are not familiar with hotel parlance, the 'back of house' is deemed sacred ground where various sensitive departments such as purchasing, housekeeping, room service, stewarding, cold stores, kitchens and engineering are located. Thus, the 'back of house' is out of bounds to unauthorised people and it is the duty of all hotel staff to ensure no unauthorised person loiters there.
If Ms Lo was killed by her captors who held her hostage, I believe they did so because she was Singaporean. It is no secret that terrorist groups that are affiliated with Al-Qaeda have a deep-rooted hatred of Singapore because of its relentless fight against terrorism, and the incarceration of members of Jemaah Islamiah under the Internal Security Act. If this was the motive for cold-bloodedly murdering Ms Lo, then she is worthy of a state funeral. If a state funeral is not possible, I suggest all Singaporeans be encouraged to fly the national flag at half-mast as a sign of grief and mourning for Ms Lo.
Last but not least, my heartfelt and sincere condolences go out to Ms Lo's husband and loved ones. May she rest in peace. As for the murderous terrorists, contrary of them going to 'paradise' into the arms of 'virgins', they are now in a place of eternal damnation. And the captured terrorists should be prepared to receive their just deserts, which under Indian law is a date with the hangman.
Lionel De Souza
