Minister thanks them for keeping Singapore safe as Police National Service marks 50 years

The Police National Service (PNS), which was conceived after a terror incident in Singapore, marks its 50th anniversary in 2025.

- Claudia Tan and Stacey Ngiam

And PNS officers have contributed much to keeping the country safe, said Mr Edwin Tong, who was attending his first police event as Second Minister for Home Affairs.

He made these comments on June 3 at the Police Day observance ceremony, which took place at the Home Team Academy in Choa Chu Kang.

Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Law, thanked police officers past and present for their sacrifices.

He said: "Policing, we know, is an inherently challenging profession. Threats to our public order and security remain ever present, and your operating environment is increasingly complex and highly demanding.

"Thank you for your steadfast dedication round the clock, for putting your lives on the line to uphold and enforce our laws, to keep Singapore safe and secure."

PNS was introduced in 1975, a year after the Laju incident, in which four armed attackers targeted the oil refinery on Pulau Bukom and hijacked a ferry, called the Laju, with civilians on board.

It was Singapore's first brush with international terrorism.

The hostages were released after a group of 13 "guarantors", including former president S R Nathan, who was then the director of the Security and Intelligence Division at the Ministry of Defence, boarded the vessel to take their place.