News of planned attack motivates participants in Tampines crisis exercise

News about a planned terror attack in Tampines prompted participants of a crisis response exercise in Tampines on Oct 19 to take it more seriously, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said.

- Samuel Devaraj

By "sheer coincidence", the community exercise that discusses appropriate responses to various scenarios took place just a day after the Internal Security Department revealed that a 17-year-old had plotted to stab and kill non-Muslims in Tampines.

The Singaporean teen, a supporter of terror group ISIS, was arrested just weeks before his planned attack at an open area in Tampines Street 81, near supermarkets, provision shops and coffee shops.

"It's just one day after the announcement, and I understand from the participants how they are more motivated to take this even more seriously," Mr Masagos, an MP for Tampines GRC, told reporters at Tampines Changkat Community Club on the sidelines of the exercise.

The exercise was undertaken by members of the Tampines Community Response Roundtable, which comprises representatives from schools, businesses, and grassroots, community and religious organisations in the neighbourhood.

In a crisis, the group can be mobilised to provide assurance and support for the community on the ground.