Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 26 October 2005 1243 hrs
Singapore developing risk assessment, scanning system to counter new security threats
SINGAPORE : Singapore is coming up with a dedicated risk assessment and horizon scanning system to counter new and unanticipated security threats.
It is being developed by the National Security Coordination Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office in collaboration with other government agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security, Professor S. Jayakumar, said this new capability would help to integrate the country's strategic planning, intelligence, research and surveillance processes.
Professor Jayakumar, who is also the Minister for Law, was speaking at the third annual National Security Seminar on Wednesday.
The seminar brings together key members of Singapore's security community, as well as other non-government participants interested in security issues.
The proposed system will look for small signals, track multiple scenarios and put in place collective frameworks to address new and emerging problems and challenges.
It will then help the authorities to anticipate strategic surprises, alerting policy-makers and operational agencies of changes to Singapore's national security environment.
Professor Jayakumar said it would be like "long-range radar" to identify, assess and counter emerging threats to the country.
He stressed that safeguarding our homeland would be a long-term collaborative effort involving a wide range of government agencies.
While Singapore has come a long way since September 11, it must upgrade its systems and surveillance to encompass not just the common-place but also the "inconceivable" and the "unexpected".
Professor Jayakumar said Singapore was moving in the right direction with the new and emerging concept of horizon-scanning and risk assessment. - CNA/de
