Updated: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:25:49 GMT | By Channel NewsAsia
DPM Teo on threats of espionage and foreign subversion
DPM Teo on threats of espionage and foreign subversion
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said even though terrorism may have been well reported, the threats of espionage and foreign subversion are just as salient.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the Internal Security Department’s (ISD) Heritage Centre, Mr Teo noted that Singapore lies at the crossroads where the spheres of influence of major powers intersect.
At the same time, Singapore is an open society in a highly globalised world.
Mr Teo, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security, added while Singapore has been able to access new technology and is plugged into geopolitical developments, it also makes the country an attractive target for espionage and foreign subversion.
He said the threat is not new as Singapore has been the target of espionage attacks or subversion attempts by foreign countries including even friendly nations.
He cites an example when during the height of the Cold War, a Singaporean embassy staff member in Moscow was compromised and worked for the Soviet Union against Singapore’s interest.
In the 1990s alone, ISD dealt with several cases of espionage, where most of them involved friendly nations.
Mr Teo said what is new today is that technology has been a major game changer.
The threat of cyber espionage has added to the new reality and Singapore has already seen a few attacks and has countered them.
At the Heritage Centre, Mr Teo visited its new Counter Terrorism Gallery.
The new gallery houses a wide array of case studies and exhibits arising from ISD’s counter—terrorism investigations over the past 10 years since the disruption of the Jemaah Islamiyah network in Singapore.
Over the next two years, the ISD Heritage Centre will be working with the Education Ministry to reach out to all schools through mobile exhibitions that are more student—centric.
— CNA/cc
DPM Teo on threats of espionage and foreign subversion
DPM Teo on threats of espionage and foreign subversion
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said even though terrorism may have been well reported, the threats of espionage and foreign subversion are just as salient.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the Internal Security Department’s (ISD) Heritage Centre, Mr Teo noted that Singapore lies at the crossroads where the spheres of influence of major powers intersect.
At the same time, Singapore is an open society in a highly globalised world.
Mr Teo, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security, added while Singapore has been able to access new technology and is plugged into geopolitical developments, it also makes the country an attractive target for espionage and foreign subversion.
He said the threat is not new as Singapore has been the target of espionage attacks or subversion attempts by foreign countries including even friendly nations.
He cites an example when during the height of the Cold War, a Singaporean embassy staff member in Moscow was compromised and worked for the Soviet Union against Singapore’s interest.
In the 1990s alone, ISD dealt with several cases of espionage, where most of them involved friendly nations.
Mr Teo said what is new today is that technology has been a major game changer.
The threat of cyber espionage has added to the new reality and Singapore has already seen a few attacks and has countered them.
At the Heritage Centre, Mr Teo visited its new Counter Terrorism Gallery.
The new gallery houses a wide array of case studies and exhibits arising from ISD’s counter—terrorism investigations over the past 10 years since the disruption of the Jemaah Islamiyah network in Singapore.
Over the next two years, the ISD Heritage Centre will be working with the Education Ministry to reach out to all schools through mobile exhibitions that are more student—centric.
— CNA/cc
