'We cannot be complacent': PM Wong says community resilence key to national security as SGSecure marks 10 years“我们不能掉以轻心”：黄循财总理表示，社区韧性是国家安全的关键，新加坡安全保障计划（SGSecure）迎来十周年
Singapore must remain vigilant and be prepared to act in times of crisis, as community resilience is central to keeping the country safe and united, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (Sept 23).Speaking at the 10th anniversary of SGSecure held at Tampines Hub, he highlighted that the security threats facing Singapore had become broader and more complex."Today, terrorism remains...
Singapore must remain vigilant and be prepared to act in times of crisis, as community resilience is central to keeping the country safe and united, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of SGSecure held at Tampines Hub , he highlighted that the security threats facing Singapore had become broader and more complex.
"Today, terrorism remains a major concern, but the threats we face are much broader. For example, someone may be radicalised online and decide to carry out an attack," he said.
"We cannot predict exactly where the danger will come from, or when it might strike."
He noted that while the security agencies had worked behind the scenes to identify individuals who posed a threat before anyone was harmed, some cases had nevertheless involved "very close calls".
PM Wong referenced past cases, including the 2024 detention of a self-radicalised 17-year-old for planning an attack at a neighbourhood centre near Tampines West Community Club.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in May for planning a mass-casualty stabbing attack at his secondary school.
"We managed to intervene in time before anyone was hurt, but things could have turned out very differently," PM Wong said.
"What if one day, despite our best efforts, something gets through and we know no security system can give us a hundred guarantee. And this is why we cannot be complacent about safety and security in Singapore."
Over the past decade, PM Wong said that SGSecure has helped more Singaporeans understand what to do during a crisis, including how to respond to emergencies, assist people in distress while reminding that everyone can play a part.
"We have strengthened out preparedness in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools and community organisations, and we have build stronger bonds of trust across our society," he said.
"If something does happen, our emergency and security services will, of course, respond quickly, but the people already at the scene will be ordinary Singaporeans."
SGSecure to broaden outreach
In conjunction with the event, an exhibition, entitled "Our Ordinary Days Are Worth Cherishing", will also be held from Sept 23 to 27, which was attended by Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Law Minister Edwin Tong, and others.
The event also marks the announcement of a new integrated marketing and communications campaign, which will be launched in 2027.
Speaking at the event, Sim said the 10th anniversary was an opportunity to recognise and thank Singapore's security agencies, community partners, while also reminding Singaporeans to remain vigilant.
"However, the threat of terrorism to Singapore remains high and continues to evolve. We must not let our guard down," she said.
"Keeping Singapore safe is a shared responsibility. Let us continue to do our part by staying vigilant, prepared and united, so that we can protect the peace and way of life that we cherish."
The campaign will feature a new tagline and refreshed messaging aimed at making the national movement more relevant and relatable to different audiences.
Its outreach will also be expanded across radio, digital and online platforms, with more collaborations with content creators, media organisations and community partners.
These are part of efforts aimed to strengthen public awareness of emergency preparedness, vigilance and community resilience in the face of terrorism and other security threats.
Among the new initiatives also include expanding the SGSecure Advocates Programme from its 2024 pilot at Institutes of Higher Learning to schools, workplaces and other organisations.
Advocates will be trained to recognise potential threats, support those around them and report individuals who may have been radicalised.
xingying.koh@asiaone.com
新加坡总理黄循财周三（9月23日）表示，新加坡必须保持警惕，并做好在危机时刻采取行动的准备，因为社区韧性对于保持国家安全和团结至关重要。
在淡滨尼中心举行的 SGSecure 十周年庆典上，他强调新加坡面临的安全威胁范围更广、更加复杂。
“如今，恐怖主义仍然是一个主要问题，但我们面临的威胁范围更广。例如，有人可能在网上受到极端思想的影响，并决定发动袭击，”他说。
“我们无法准确预测危险会从哪里来，或者何时会发生。”
他指出，虽然安全机构一直在幕后努力识别构成威胁的个人，以免有人受到伤害，但有些案件仍然“险些酿成大祸”。
黄总理提到了过去的案例，包括一名自我激进化的 17 岁少年因计划在淡滨尼西民众俱乐部附近的邻里中心发动袭击而被拘留至 2024 年。
今年5月，一名14岁男孩因策划在其中学发动大规模伤亡的持刀袭击而被捕。
黄循财总理说：“我们及时介入，避免了人员伤亡，但事情原本可能完全不同。”
“如果有一天，尽管我们竭尽全力，还是有漏洞被突破了怎么办？我们知道没有任何安全系统能提供百分之百的保证。这就是为什么我们不能对新加坡的安全保障掉以轻心。”
黄总理表示，过去十年，SGSecure 帮助更多新加坡人了解在危机期间应该做什么，包括如何应对紧急情况、帮助处于困境中的人们，同时提醒每个人都可以贡献一份力量。
他说：“我们加强了社区、工作场所、学校和社区组织的准备工作，并在整个社会中建立了更牢固的信任纽带。”
“如果真的发生什么事，我们的应急和安全部门当然会迅速做出反应，但现场的人员将是普通的新加坡民众。”
SGSecure将扩大覆盖范围
配合此次活动，9月23日至27日还将举办名为“我们平凡的日子值得珍惜”的展览，外交部第二部长兼内政部第二部长沈颖、内政部第二部长兼律政部长唐振辉等人出席了展览。
此次活动也标志着一项新的整合营销传播活动的宣布，该活动将于 2027 年启动。
沈先生在活动上发表讲话时表示，10周年纪念日是一个表彰和感谢新加坡安全机构、社区合作伙伴的机会，同时也是提醒新加坡人保持警惕的机会。
“然而，新加坡面临的恐怖主义威胁依然很高，而且还在不断演变。我们绝不能放松警惕。”她说道。
“维护新加坡的安全是每个人的共同责任。让我们继续保持警惕、做好准备、团结一致，尽我们所能，保护我们珍视的和平与生活方式。”
此次宣传活动将采用新的标语和更新的信息，旨在使这场全国性运动与不同的受众群体更加相关，更具亲和力。
其影响力也将扩展到广播、数字和在线平台，并与内容创作者、媒体机构和社区伙伴开展更多合作。
这些举措旨在加强公众对应对恐怖主义和其他安全威胁的应急准备、警惕性和社区韧性的认识。
新举措还包括将 SGSecure 倡导者计划从 2024 年在高等院校的试点项目扩展到学校、工作场所和其他组织。
倡导者将接受培训，以识别潜在威胁，支持身边的人，并举报可能已被极端化的个人。
邢莹.koh@asiaone.com