Nowdays, people tend to think that after Mas Selamat kena capture, we can all relax a bit more. But we forget that even with Mas Selamat gone, there are others like him, others able to attack Singapore.
For years, we have all seen all those "stop terrorism" kind of posters in buses, trains, etc. But when has the government ever made a speech addressing the terrorist threat? When have they ever shown us how to cope with a terrorist attack? They always assume that all these "stop terrorism" posters are effective. But for us, they have become part of the landscape, part of the normal way of life. We see them so often that we never stop to think of the implications for ourselves.
Terrorism is attacking a country on its civilian front, where it is more vunerable than its military front. Civilian awareness is therefore important in combating this threat.
The last terrorist attack in Singapore was in 1991 (the hijacking of SQ 117). The younger generation, those born 1990-2000, probably have not even heard of this. The las major terrorist attack on Singapore was even further back, during the Konfrontasi during the merger with Malaysia. Singaporeans are therefore unaware of the danger, simply because they have not experienced it yet.
Also, we are forgetting that Singapore is an important terrorist attack. As one of the only developed countries in Southeast Asia, we are a symbol of the Western powers, a symbol of the Western oppression toward the Muslim world. Of course, from our point of view, we see none of this. We see only that we are a good place to live in.
So my question here is: Is the Government of Singapore doing enough to protect us from terrorism?
So what do you want, a Singapore version of the Patriot Act to give the Government more powers to curtail our freedom?
Our tactics and procedures against terrorism are sound. More sound than most other countries i know of. Believe me, its not so easy to raise and maintain a terror cell in Singapore. Our Government has its nose so deep in our business and they will know if something is coming up.
Originally posted by Man!x:So what do you want, a Singapore version of the Patriot Act to give the Government more powers to curtail our freedom?
Our tactics and procedures against terrorism are sound. More sound than most other countries i know of. Believe me, its not so easy to raise and maintain a terror cell in Singapore. Our Government has its nose so deep in our business and they will know if something is coming up.
lol. i dunno leh. sometimes we view the govt as some omnipotent organization, but there are quite a few lapse in security, which leads me to wonder if the govt really know if smth is coming up?
the news about this elderly who was reported missing, then later he smuggled himself back to singapore really was ftw for me.
Is the Government of Singapore doing enough to protect us from terrorism?
We cannot delude ourselves into thinking that our govt is infallible, everywhere and all-knowing - omnipresence, omnipotent. Only God is like that. Even so, God does not directly interfere with the threat of terrorism.
Our govt can only do so much. I think the more relevant question is - Are Singaporeans doing enough to protect ourselves from terrorism? Are we coming together as one nation to do our national service – learning and keeping our eyes open to protect our property and life?
Singaporeans, learn do your part – don’t always rely on the Govt for everything.
Goverment always say they got it covered =( then always psycho us say they always right. So i good citizen i shuck thumb believe that they can do it nor. But i agree with TS that we may not have sufficient experience to deal with a terrorist attack upfront with ease ba. But whatever it is i believe that as long as we stand on our own ground we can overcome it de =)) Singapore is small but we strong and steady hahahah XD~
In order to battle the roots of terrorism, we only need to understand its roots, where it springs from and how it grows.
There are many ways it can grow, but the very root of terroism in any form grows from disenchantment with an environment leading to hatred and sowing its seeds selfishly to others, to support such hatred, right or wrong, regardless the welfare of its followers and espacially to society at large.
This is only a simple and basic explanation, for it goes to more complex forms.
But at our level being common everyday men, we can identify dissatisfaction easily. It could be the worker dis-satisfied with his pay or rebuke, the religious radical exclusivities shown, the hatred of certain races, etc.
While none of them are terrorists and need not suspect them as one, but if we allow them to continue or be apathetic to their misery, it may lead to them gaining adherents.
Misery loves company and when united and led by the more violent who believe arm struggle or rejection of our constitutions is the answer out of their misery, they may be a formidable challenge to a peaceful society.
Terrorism begins with one.
Therefore, if we truly want to be protected from terrorism, such help will have to come from us ourselves first.
Attempt to talk to those who are dis-satisfied and try to find solutions for them, or give them physical attention whereby they can get help. It will nip the growing radical bud, for our Singapore society will always do what we can to help each other, either immediately or in time.
For every man-made problem, there will always be another man-made solution.
The more worrisome will be the ones whom put on masks and hide within our society. But never fear masked men because it gets tiresome after some time. They can hide amongst us one day, one month or one year, but never forever. We must make friends with more and be more perceptive of their changes.
It is often good to inform the authorities if one becames aware of radical changes, but Singapore is not a police state whereby we inform on each other. It would be better if we can change their perceptions first, and helps more rather than authoritative figures.
However, if there is clear and irrefutable evidences of radicalism that may endanger the lives of others, then we must make that call.
No govt is omnipotent and they will still try to give confidence to its people. They are limited in strength. Thus each and every one of us citizens will have to do our part, - preventing radicalism with rationality regardless if we of the same race, language or religion, and inform the authorities when all else fails.
Fighting terrorism begins with you, me and our friends. Combined, our network is bigger than any national govt on Earth. We must no longer turn a blind eye in the face of threats, for it may be our loved ones who will get hurt if we do.
The question rather is - Have we ourselves, through positive engagement, done enough to prevent radicalism and terrorism ?
Its true that we have not experienced terrorism first hand since the Confrontation days. But how are we supposed to reinforce the message to the public? By conducting frequent mass scale terrorist reaction drill like Northstar V. Think about the economic repercussions caused due to having disrupt mass communication, recalling crucial assets so on.. Even that is not countering terrorism, it is a reaction to a terrorist event.
Countering terrorism means we must have timely crucial intelligence. To have that its either we have moles inside the terror organizations or get up to date intelligence from foreign nations who have the intelligence. When that fails, our security apparatus must be secure enough not to let in the elements into Singapore. Even so, sometimes certain things might slip through due to human error or fatigue. That leaves us to the general populace who are not trained but only informed on how to spot and detect potential terror.
We are not like Israel where they face terror for years even the civilians are well informed and suspicious enough to raise alarms. A man with a huge coat or backpack in a cafe will raise alarm in Israel. But in Singapore it won't. How many people would actually bother if a backpack is left behind in a cafe or train? Has it been tested? Therefore we must rely on the first line of defence to be successful, ie intelligence. Good rapport with neighbouring countries is a must if not crucial to the whole set up.
Originally posted by xtreyier:In order to battle the roots of terrorism, we only need to understand its roots, where it springs from and how it grows.
There are many ways it can grow, but the very root of terroism in any form grows from disenchantment with an environment leading to hatred and sowing its seeds selfishly to others, to support such hatred, right or wrong, regardless the welfare of its followers and espacially to society at large.
This is only a simple and basic explanation, for it goes to more complex forms.
But at our level being common everyday men, we can identify dissatisfaction easily. It could be the worker dis-satisfied with his pay or rebuke, the religious radical exclusivities shown, the hatred of certain races, etc.
While none of them are terrorists and need not suspect them as one, but if we allow them to continue or be apathetic to their misery, it may lead to them gaining adherents.Misery loves company and when united and led by the more violent who believe arm struggle or rejection of our constitutions is the answer out of their misery, they may be a formidable challenge to a peaceful society.
Terrorism begins with one.
Therefore, if we truly want to be protected from terrorism, such help will have to come from us ourselves first.
Attempt to talk to those who are dis-satisfied and try to find solutions for them, or give them physical attention whereby they can get help. It will nip the growing radical bud, for our Singapore society will always do what we can to help each other, either immediately or in time.For every man-made problem, there will always be another man-made solution.
The more worrisome will be the ones whom put on masks and hide within our society. But never fear masked men because it gets tiresome after some time. They can hide amongst us one day, one month or one year, but never forever. We must make friends with more and be more perceptive of their changes.
It is often good to inform the authorities if one becames aware of radical changes, but Singapore is not a police state whereby we inform on each other. It would be better if we can change their perceptions first, and helps more rather than authoritative figures.However, if there is clear and irrefutable evidences of radicalism that may endanger the lives of others, then we must make that call.
No govt is omnipotent and they will still try to give confidence to its people. They are limited in strength. Thus each and every one of us citizens will have to do our part, - preventing radicalism with rationality regardless if we of the same race, language or religion, and inform the authorities when all else fails.Fighting terrorism begins with you, me and our friends. Combined, our network is bigger than any national govt on Earth. We must no longer turn a blind eye in the face of threats, for it may be our loved ones who will get hurt if we do.
The question rather is - Have we ourselves, through positive engagement, done enough to prevent radicalism and terrorism ?
To know your enemy is half the battle won - Sun Zi Bing Fa & 24Zhang ji.
Originally posted by 4sg:We cannot delude ourselves into thinking that our govt is infallible, everywhere and all-knowing - omnipresence, omnipotent. Only God is like that. Even so, God does not directly interfere with the threat of terrorism.
Our govt can only do so much. I think the more relevant question is - Are Singaporeans doing enough to protect ourselves from terrorism? Are we coming together as one nation to do our national service – learning and keeping our eyes open to protect our property and life?
Singaporeans, learn do your part – don’t always rely on the Govt for everything.
How do you think Government is coping with terrorism? The powers that be forgot to train the citizens in recognising what is a bomb, how do the terrorists construct a bomb, how to defuse a critical timebomb. So far in Israel, I have seen citizens being trained in tackling terrorists and suicide bombers.
Originally posted by pearlie27:Is the govt doing enough to protect us from terrorism?
Maybe we should all stay home and not go any where?
All the terrorists need to do is blow up your home.
a home work question....is govt doing enough...i like to add a different perspective perhaps the question to ask is govt providing the right treatment.
Today’s terrorism is not about Bomb. The objective behind Terrorism is about achieving the WAY.
The key question to address..... I think is better sort in this manner: Does the regional Islamic religious leaders receptive to the strict Shari a Law..... We talk about religion radical as some individual, but we need to bring it down to the real subject of imposing strict Shari a Law as the common Law. And the means to convert to the WAY by means of FEAR.
Pakistan is a classic example of how that means are achieved. We saw the means of intimidation, political assignation and bombing to weaken the political structure , replacing tribes’ grassroots leaders thru public execution and punishment. Systematic way of breaking down the civil govt structure. Add to their action they preach that they are performing Devine Will.
I think to fight terrorism in Singapore is to apply Total Defense in an aggressive manner. In fact I think SG should be creative enough to apply some of the tools of Total Defense to Total Offence. Provide regional govt to govt economics aid particularly to Pakistan and Afghanistan abilities to function as a Civil Govt, which SG govt is good a public administration, public education in social cohesion.
To educate is to prevent.
The goal is to stop the next person to pick up the Fallen Rifle and it is not enough to stop the next Bomb.
most of us have already forgotten that the threat of terrorists waiting for the right moment to strike our dear nation still exists.
Originally posted by Arapahoe:a home work question....is govt doing enough...i like to add a different perspective perhaps the question to ask is govt providing the right treatment.
Today’s terrorism is not about Bomb. The objective behind Terrorism is about achieving the WAY.
The key question to address..... I think is better sort in this manner: Does the regional Islamic religious leaders receptive to the strict Shari a Law..... We talk about religion radical as some individual, but we need to bring it down to the real subject of imposing strict Shari a Law as the common Law. And the means to convert to the WAY by means of FEAR.
Pakistan is a classic example of how that means are achieved. We saw the means of intimidation, political assignation and bombing to weaken the political structure , replacing tribes’ grassroots leaders thru public execution and punishment. Systematic way of breaking down the civil govt structure. Add to their action they preach that they are performing Devine Will.
I think to fight terrorism in Singapore is to apply Total Defense in an aggressive manner. In fact I think SG should be creative enough to apply some of the tools of Total Defense to Total Offence. Provide regional govt to govt economics aid particularly to Pakistan and Afghanistan abilities to function as a Civil Govt, which SG govt is good a public administration, public education in social cohesion.
To educate is to prevent.
The goal is to stop the next person to pick up the Fallen Rifle and it is not enough to stop the next Bomb.
But, remember terrorists are mind-trick kings and fanatics to their cause, they can hide indefinitely in the public until they need to strike. And the propaganda used is to create lone-wolf structures so one cell being caught doesn't lead to the apprehension of another cell.(This was used by the Real IRA) The terrorist war doesn't end until their goal is reached.
One method of preventing the terrorist message from spreading is to lock all media and prevent Singaporeans from traveling so as to prevent the propaganda from succeeding. Surgical mind locks must be used on SIngaporeans who are traveling and those who are prone to propaganda.
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
How do you think Government is coping with terrorism? The powers that be forgot to train the citizens in recognising what is a bomb, how do the terrorists construct a bomb, how to defuse a critical timebomb. So far in Israel, I have seen citizens being trained in tackling terrorists and suicide bombers.
Even if the government insitute mandatory courses on how to tackle terrorists and sucide bombers how many would take it seriously?
How many would whin and complain about how it's a waste of time?
I'm not disputing the validity of what you're suggesting, but you're not going to get the proper response from the general public until a bomb really goes off.
That's the way i see it.
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:But, remember terrorists are mind-trick kings and fanatics to their cause, they can hide indefinitely in the public until they need to strike. And the propaganda used is to create lone-wolf structures so one cell being caught doesn't lead to the apprehension of another cell.(This was used by the Real IRA) The terrorist war doesn't end until their goal is reached.
One method of preventing the terrorist message from spreading is to lock all media and prevent Singaporeans from traveling so as to prevent the propaganda from succeeding. Surgical mind locks must be used on SIngaporeans who are traveling and those who are prone to propaganda.
I am not sure you can totally "lock" ur info. People are inqusitives in nature, and they will search out the propaganda. The worst case is that if they snook out info and think that this is justice than you cannot change their mind. There will always be people on the side of the under dogs.
To counter terrorist propaganda is to openly discuss Terrorist goals and educate by bringing Day 2 day interest of your neighbors and friends so that Singaporean understand why and what is their role on the subject of terrorist hurting SG.
So that if they were to travel outside they are not easily brain wash as they know their fundamental bond lies with their families, neighbors, and friends not institution of a govt.
PS: so at the end of the day Singaporean fight for their families, neighbors, and friends.
Originally posted by Stevenson101:
Even if the government insitute mandatory courses on how to tackle terrorists and sucide bombers how many would take it seriously?How many would whin and complain about how it's a waste of time?
I'm not disputing the validity of what you're suggesting, but you're not going to get the proper response from the general public until a bomb really goes off.
That's the way i see it.
Who said anything about education? Since the first bomb to go off may be a nuke(clean or dirty), I would say education at most would have a 50/50 chance of suceeding due to a bomb scare.
I am talking about doing some surgical operation to some people who are more prone to aiding and carrying terrorist missions.
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Who said anything about education? Since the first bomb to go off may be a nuke(clean or dirty), I would say education at most would have a 50/50 chance of suceeding due to a bomb scare.I am talking about doing some surgical operation to some people who are more prone to aiding and carrying terrorist missions.
Eh, so basically i could accuse someone who is speaking out against the establishment of being more prone of aiding and carrying out terrorist missions and basically lobotomize him?
This line of thinking seems to be more dangerous than anything the terrorists are capable of doing.
*cough* Mas *cough* Selamat
Nowdays, people tend to think that after Mas Selamat kena capture, we can all relax a bit more. But we forget that even with Mas Selamat gone, there are others like him, others able to attack Singapore.
No need to exaggerate the terrorist threat.
We are not USA or Israel, go around killing people all over the place. That is why people want to retaliate against them.
The motto is “Once in, never out”
Unless you are mas selamat.
Originally posted by Ah Chia:No need to exaggerate the terrorist threat.
We are not USA or Israel, go around killing people all over the place. That is why people want to retaliate against them.
I agree. We arent going around killing these people. So, we need not fear too much. Personally, I think quite a lot is already being done to combat terrorism. Just reflect back on the five aspects of total Defence and you'll know what I mean.
Originally posted by Ah Chia:Unless you are mas selamat.