Defence Minister invokes amended SAF Act

29 August 2007 0031 hrs (SST)

SINGAPORE : Singapore's Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean has invoked an order under the amended SAF Act to deploy troops in helping the Police Force with security operations.

That means SAF soldiers are now given the power to arrest anyone infiltrating key installations aiming to carry out acts of terrorism.

Armed military patrols on Jurong Island have been a common sight in the last six years.

A deadly strike on the petroleum refinery there could mean a potentially huge supply disruption to Singapore and the region.

It also puts to risk the millions of investment dollars that major companies have poured into Jurong Island.

The enhanced military presence acts as a deterrent to would-be terrorists targeting Singapore's major installations.

Four such facilities have been identified - Jurong Island and the nearby ExxonMobil Refinery, the Sembawang Wharves and Changi Airport.

Soldiers patrolling Jurong Island now wear special black armbands bearing serialised identity cards verifying who they are.

They can search and arrest anyone who is not authorised to be on the island and seize items found on suspects.

In extreme cases, they have orders to shoot and kill.

Before the men from the 2nd People's Defence Force are put on patrol at Jurong, they are first trained by their police counterparts.

They have to learn the skills of analysing suspicious behaviour and conducting a proper search and arrest.

It's estimated about 1,000 or more men are actively patrolling the four installations.

The current order will be in effect till July 2010.

It could be revoked earlier or extended, depending on the overall security threat. - CNA /ls

Source: Channel News Asia

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