23-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was alerted to alleged bomb threats at 18 locations across the country on Wednesday morning (Aug 23). The targeted areas included government buildings, embassies, and various places of interest.
Upon receiving the reports around 9.10 am, the police swiftly conducted security checks at the affected premises. Fortunately, no items of security concern were discovered.
In response to the incident, SPF stated, “The police are investigating into this case of communicating false information of a harmful thing under Section 268A of the Penal Code 1871.” This offence carries a potential jail term of up to seven years, a maximum fine of S$50,000, or both.
SPF further highlighted that similar reports of email bomb threats, seemingly from the same individual, had recently been received by the Republic of Korea, which later turned out to be a hoax.
The statement underscored, “The police take all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally communicate false information on bomb threats.”
This development emerged after the Environment Building, housing the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and its statutory boards, the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the water agency PUB, was placed on lockdown due to a “security situation.”
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, who was overseas at the time, received news of the situation at the building located at 40 Scotts Road.
She reported, “Police had worked with security officers on premises for preliminary checks and no threat items were found” around 1 pm.
Subsequent updates from MSE confirmed that NEA and PUB had received a bomb threat concerning the Environment Building. Preliminary inspections were carried out by both the police and security officers, and no “threat items” were uncovered.
“The safety of all staff and stakeholders of the Environment Building is our priority. Since this morning, we have stepped up security and restricted access into the Environment Building. MSE will cooperate fully with the Singapore Police Force in police investigations,” the ministry added.
