Security Measures for Shangri-La Dialogue

Mr Hri Kumar Nair asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs with regard to the incident along Orange Grove Road on 31 May 2015 (a) what were the security measures in place to protect the Shangri-La Dialogue from the risks of terrorist attacks; (b) what are SPF's rules of engagement to deal with vehicles that breach the security checkpoints; and (c) what steps will be taken to establish the circumstances that led to the death of the driver.

Mdm Speaker, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue is attended by Defence Ministers, Defence Officials and Military Chiefs from around the world. In the current security climate, such a major international security event is a prime target for terrorists. A high security protection level was therefore adopted for this event.

As part of the security measures to secure the event and to protect delegates and others involved in the event, Police conducted a series of road blocks and security checks on persons and vehicles at and around Shangri-La Hotel from 28 May to 31 May 2015. Six check stations for persons and five check stations for vehicles were set up.

At the Vehicle Check Stations, vehicles entering or approaching the hotel were checked to make sure that they were not carrying dangerous weapons or explosives, such as Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), which could be used to harm persons at the hotel or in its vicinity.

Mdm Speaker, according to the Global Terrorism Index Report 2014, explosives have consistently been the most prevalent type of weapon used in attacks, accounting for over 60% of all incidents globally. Past incidents in the Middle East involving the use of car bombs

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have resulted in heavy death tolls. In 2001, the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network had planned to use truck bombs against embassies, MRT stations and military installations in Singapore. The Bali bombings in 2002 and the Marriot Hotel attack in Jakarta in 2003 also involved the use of vehicle bombs. These are all sober reminders that Singapore is not immune to this threat.

Police adopt a multi-stage approach to deter, detect and deal with the threat of vehicle bombs when they assess that such protection levels are warranted. The Shangri-La Dialogue, for the reasons I explained earlier, was one such occasion.

First, Police deploy traffic signs in the vicinity of the affected roads and ahead of the brightly-lit Vehicle Check Stations to alert motorists to the road closures and the checks that are being conducted in conjunction with the event.

Second, vehicles approaching the Vehicle Check Station are stopped by Police officers for initial verification checks, before being directed to undergo a detailed inspection within the Vehicle Check Station. Measures are also put in place, according to what the terrain permits, to cause vehicles to slow down before approaching the Vehicle Check Station. For the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Vehicle Check Station was designed in a manner that required the driver to manoeuvre around concrete blocks to reach the vehicle inspection bays within the Vehicle Check Station.

Third, beyond the detailed inspection point, a line of concrete barriers weighing about two tons each, Police land rovers or mobile crash barriers are deployed to deter, slow down and impede drivers who may attempt to evade checks at the Vehicle Check Station and drive vehicle bombs into an event area.

Beyond this line of barriers, armed Police officers are deployed to deal with vehicles evading the Vehicle Check Station checks.

Based on Police's procedures, drivers will be allowed to proceed to the venue only after being cleared by checks.

However, if there are drivers who try to evade security checks, Police officers will respond swiftly and decisively to stop the vehicle threat. In a situation where a driver ignores Police's repeated orders to stop, and crashes his vehicle through the concrete barriers, causing an imminent threat to lives, Police's procedure, as a last resort, is to open fire at the driver of the vehicle to neutralise the threat immediately to prevent it from causing danger to the event, the delegates and others involved in the event.

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The use of lethal force is provided for under section 63 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states: "Any Police Officer, who has reasonable grounds to suspect that any offence may be committed, may intervene for the purpose of preventing, and must, to the best of his ability, use all lawful means to prevent the commission of the offence". The level of force used should be proportionate to the threat faced.

Mdm Speaker, the vehicle and the persons in it were acting in a non-compliant, aggressive and threatening manner. The measures taken by Police were precise and their effect limited to the vehicle and persons in it. They were stopped from penetrating into and posing a danger to an event which was assessed to be subject to a high level of threat. The vigilance, alertness and composure of our Police officers in this incident reflect the high level of professionalism and skill which comes from realistic training and regular exercises to enhance their readiness and validate contingency plans.

Mdm Speaker, a Coroner's Inquiry will be conducted, as required by law, in the coming months to establish the detailed cause of and circumstances leading to the shooting and death of the driver. At the conclusion of the Inquiry, the Coroner will record his findings as to how the deceased came by his death.

MHA is also reviewing the incident thoroughly and will incorporate any relevant findings from the Coroner's Inquiry to ensure that Police's measures continue to be effective in deterring, preventing and dealing with potential security threats.

Mdm Speaker, in conclusion, the threat of terrorism is real and present. The Police will continue to do their utmost to counter security threats to Singapore and protect Singaporeans from those who wish to carry out acts of violence and destruction. We call on all Singaporeans to maintain a high level of vigilance against possible security threats and support the Home Team in our efforts to keep all of us safe.