Singapore_and_Terrorism

One way the Singapore government fights against terrorism is to have strong co-operation with ASEAN. Terrorism is not only a local threat, but one to the peace, security and consequentially progress of the entire region. Hence leaders of ASEAN recognize that it is in their vested interest to make a collective effort to counter it. ASEAN has pledged its determination to eradicate terrorists through various means including joint police and intelligence efforts against transnational terrorists. This has proven effective in disrupting terrorism as seen from how Philippines managed to capture JI bomb maker al Ghozi in 2002 based on intelligence Singapore exchanged with the Philippines. Other measures include the creation of an ASEAN Regional Forum used as a platform to discuss transnational terrorism issues and the signing of the first legally-binding anti-terrorism accord in 2007. Ultimately, these measures make potential terrorists recognize that strict anti-terrorist policies adhered to by each country ensure they would not be provided safe haven anywhere in ASEAN and are more likely to get caught due to enhanced information exchange. Thus, regional measures act as a bolster to Singapore’s fight against terrorism as terrorists are now deterred from targeting the region. Another way in which the government fights against terrorism is through international collaboration with the UN. The international community sprung into action after they realized the global impact terrorists had, especially after the horrific September 11 attacks. They have even passed a series of resolutions with specific measures for countries to adhere to. These include freezing of terrorists’ financial assets, which has resulted in more than US$200 has been frozen; denying travel and safe haven; preventing recruitment and weapons supply; and co-operation in information sharing which has led to an arrest of 4000 terrorist suspects. The UN has also set up a counter terrorism committee which monitors countries’ adherence to the resolutions and assists countries who have difficulty implementing them. Hence, the UN has managed to cripple terrorist infrastructure worldwide by denying them the crucial funds and manpower needed to carry out their operations. Terrorists also find difficulty in planning attacks as they are actively prosecuted. This in turn helps Singapore as we are a member of the United Nations and are also part of this combined effort. Another way in which the government fights against terrorism is through local measures. These measures include both security measures and social cohesion measures. Security measures include the creation of the Singapore Special Operations force which is specially trained in handling terrorist attacks. They have in fact been deployed in 1991 to counter the Pakistani hijacking of an SIA plane. The Internal Security Act is also regularly utilized to detain terrorists like Mas Selamat Bin Kastari. Meanwhile, the police division is very vigilant in patrolling potential terrorist targets like Changi Airport, resulting in enhanced security checks like full body scanners. Social cohesion efforts by the government are just as important as they unite the people against this existential threat. An example of this would be the effective integration of the Muslim minority through the GRC quotas and housing quotas, such that they do not feel left out and turn to the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah. We also constantly remind our society about the potential harms terrorists can cause through exercises which simulate terrorist attacks like Northstar V. Ultimately, our government actively denounces such extremist beliefs and delegitimizes terrorism. Their staunch efforts against terrorism through various measures ensure our population is well protected. Our citizens in turn remain vigilant and united against the terrorist cause. In conclusion, I believe local measures are the most pivotal means to counter terrorism in Singapore. While international and regional efforts to rid terrorism are noble, we must ultimately accept the fact that terrorists have always been and will continue to be present in our society. They will always find means to evade the restrictions especially through hiding in rogue states like Somalia and Afghanistan, whereby the governments either have no political interest or capability to fully adhere to UN regulations. Furthermore, by using mass tools of communication like the Internet, terrorists are now more able than ever to reach out to different communities to recruit new members and gain financial support. Thus, since we are only able to disrupt terrorism but cannot fully eradicate it, the burden then belies on individual societies to cope with the threat. Local measures become especially important as they ensure on a physical security level that terrorists themselves do not breach into our borders and on a psychological security level that terrorist ideals of violence do not breach into our minds. When a country is united and vigilant against terrorist threats, its citizens will continually watch out for one another and deny terrorists any role in our society. Truth be told, the international and regional communities are not accountable to our survival, but as citizens of Singapore, we will be the most directly impacted during a terrorist attack. Hence, it is only principally right that we also share most of the responsibility in preventing it.