Critical for S'pore to identify maritime threats: Shanmugam

A potential attack from the sea could result in a crisis, affecting maritime trade, which accounts for about 7 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product.

- David Sun Crime Correspondent

So, it is critical for Singapore to swiftly identify and deal with any such threat, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

He was speaking to the media on the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Justice on the fifth and final day of Exercise Highcrest, an annual counter-terrorism exercise.

It was held from Nov 24 to 28, and involved more than 240 personnel from the RSN, Police Coast Guard, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Customs, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Republic of Singapore Air Force and Special Operations Task Force.

Mr Shanmugam, who was accompanied by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, said the maritime security environment is challenging.