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Oral answer to Parliamentary Question
for MHA during Parliament Sitting on deployment of armed police officers from
Special Operations Command in public places on 16 November 04 |
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Question: |
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Ms Indranee Rajah: |
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"To ask the Minister for Home
Affairs whether the deployment of armed police officers from Special
Operations Command in public places is due to an assessment of increased risk
of national security." |
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Answer: |
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The deployment of the officers from Special
Operations Command (SOC) does not signal an assessment of increased risk to
national security. |
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Like the public Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
systems deployed at Newton Food Centre, Boat Quay and Little India, the
projection of strong police presence at various locations is part of the
ongoing effort to keep Singapore safe and secure. |
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It serves as an added deterrent to terrorist
activities, provides assurance to the public, and reminds the public of the
importance of constant vigilance. |
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The operations will be carried out at various
locations in Singapore, including the entertainment, commercial and
residential areas. The timings and locations of the operations will not be
specified in the interest of operational security. |
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Thus far, the Police are encouraged by the
generally positive reaction from the public since such operations have
commenced. |
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We hope that Singaporeans will continue to take
these changes in their stride and accept them as part of the daily landscape,
while maintaining their vigilance at all times and be resilient when
confronting the terrorist threats. |
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Source:
Ministry of Home Affairs Press Release 16
Nov 2004 |
Armed police patrols in public places since 1 Nov 2004
