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EDUN N25-02-004

04702

5 October 2002

Security in MOE HQ Building

               The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) HQ building at North Buona Vista Drive was one of the places identified by the local Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members for reconnaissance, although no known reconnaissance was done. MHA has also informed us that there was no finalised plan against the MOE HQ building.

2            MOE is aware that its staff would naturally be concerned about any impact this may have on our security. The Ministry has assured all its staff that we have a comprehensive security system in place with safety precautions and emergency procedures. We are adequately prepared to deal with possible security incidents.

3            The MOE HQ building is designed with a comprehensive security system that includes 24-hour electronic surveillance and robust access control. This is complemented with a physical network of security officers. We therefore already have a good security system in place. We also work closely with the Police. The Police will step up security protection should the need arise. As part of our normal procedure, we conduct regular security and emergency exercises with the Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force. The most recent security exercise with the Police in the MOE HQ building in June 2002 testifies to the fact that the Police and MOE have the necessary standard operating procedures to deal with security concerns. We have also regularly conducted fire and evacuation drills with the SCDF. Our staff has exercised these drills twice in the last two years.