SINGAPORE must remain alert to the dangers posed by terrorists even as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues to sharpen its teeth to deter conventional military threats.
This approach to 'never take our defence for granted' was spelt out by Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in his ministry's addendum to the President's Address at Parliament's opening last week.
One line in Mr Teo's statement summed up the crux of Singapore's security posture: 'Security is the foundation for Singapore's survival and success.'
He reiterated that security is the linchpin of the Republic's survival because a strong defence 'gives Singapore the political space to chart our own destiny and pursue the best interests of our country and our people'.
Today's defence planning is complicated by the threat from transnational terrorists who treat the globe as their battlefield.
'At no other time in history have the security interests of countries been more closely inter-linked as they face common threats which have no respect for national borders,' he observed.
He singled out 'extremist militants' as a prime example.
Such militants are dangerous because they not only pose 'a real and present danger' to the lives and well-being of Singaporeans, but they also challenge 'our unity as a nation and people'.
To ensure they do not succeed, Mr Teo encouraged Singaporeans to strengthen their collective defence and cohesion through Total Defence - a concept that forges civil, military, social, psychological and economic elements into a defensive shield.
To keep Singaporeans alert and to educate them on what to do in the aftermath of an attack, Mindef will involve Singaporeans in disaster preparedness exercises and Total Defence education campaigns.
There will also be exercises involving the SAF and Home Team agencies like the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the police.
He also cited the SAF's transformation into a 'third generation' force as a step needed to deter external aggressors.
'Transformation involves new technologies, operational concepts and training methods. With transformation, the SAF's capabilities will be magnified.'
Another priority is working with international and regional partners on security issues, such as maritime security and the illicit transfer of weapons.
But firepower aside, he said the heart of the SAF's strength is with its people - hence the need to maintain the commitment of citizen soldiers.
In a separate addendum, the National Security Coordinating Secretariat said it will develop the means by which security analysts can forecast possible security threats.
'The project will help build and track a range of possible scenarios and pick up weak signals of surprises that can cause us great disruptions,' said Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, who oversees the secretariat.
The system should yield stronger cooperation and communication among security agencies such as the police, the military and the immigration authorities.
But the role of Singaporeans will be no less important.
To sustain public awareness of the threat from terrorism, the agency will launch more public outreach campaigns 'to remind Singaporeans that we all have an important role in maintaining social harmony'.
The agency spearheads the counter-terrorism fight by coordinating national security strategy, policy and plans.
Their take:
MORE CHALLENGES
'Defence Minister Teo's remarks stress the growing salience of transnational threats...He emphasises the importance of social cohesion and coordination in weathering any crisis brought on by a terrorist attack... All in all, these comments show recognition that the SAF needs to prepare for a much wider spectrum of challenges than was the case in the past.' DR TIM HUXLEY, corresponding director, International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia)
