Singapore heightens security measures following Osama's death
Singapore has heightened all security measures at its borders and checkpoints in light of Osama bin Laden's death.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said this was to guard against the entry of terrorist operatives as well as regional elements affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
It added that security presence and alert level have also been increased within Singapore at key establishments, and that the situation would be kept under review.
The ministry said Osama's killing by the US could be expected to draw retaliatory attacks from jihadist terrorists from or close to the Al-Qaeda Core and other jihadist terrorists who are keen to avenge his death.
To this end, the possibility that regional groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda, like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), might carry out retaliatory attacks against US assets in this region, including those in Singapore could not be discounted.
Such groups might also act against allies of the US, and countries seen to be close to the US.
In view of the recent evidence that JI-related terrorist elements in Indonesia and this region pose an active and persistent threat - including the finding of large bombs in Indonesia on Good Friday and grenades in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago - the ministry said it would be prudent for Singapore to be extra vigilant to guard against this threat.
It added that other governments have also announced tighter security measures.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said: "Our checkpoints are a key area where we must have stepped up vigilance and extra security. On the lookout, and particularly taking a bit of time, Singaporeans and other travellers may be slightly inconvenienced as a result of that."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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