18-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) In response to a deadly assault on a police station in Johor, Malaysia, security protocols in Singapore, including those at border checkpoints, were significantly tightened on Saturday, 18 May. The early morning attack resulted in the deaths of two police officers, prompting immediate action from Singaporean authorities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement on Saturday night, indicating the necessity of increased security in light of the heightened threat and the ongoing search by Malaysian police for additional members of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). “In view of the heightened threat situation, and that the Malaysian police are looking for several other JI members, we had earlier today stepped up security measures, including at our checkpoints,” the statement read.
The enhanced measures encompass more frequent patrols and rigorous inspections of travellers, leading to expected delays at immigration checkpoints. The MHA has advised the public to plan for additional time when crossing the border.
Following Friday’s attack in Ulu Tiram, a suburb of Johor Bahru, Malaysian authorities apprehended seven individuals. The police are currently pursuing more than 20 suspected JI members. Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) has been in direct contact with Malaysian counterparts regarding the incident.
The MHA urged citizens to report any signs of radicalisation to the ISD at 1800-2626-473. “Early reporting will allow ISD and its partners to help the individual in a timely manner and prevent the person from harming himself/herself and others,” the statement highlighted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a cautionary note to Singaporeans in Malaysia or those planning to travel there, advising heightened vigilance and precautionary measures for personal safety.
The violent episode occurred in the early hours of Friday at the Ulu Tiram police station, near the popular shopping district of Mount Austin, frequently visited by Singaporeans. The assailant, a 21-year-old identified as a JI member, was killed during a firefight with police. Of the seven people detained post-attack, five were related to the attacker, with all detainees confirmed to be Malaysian nationals. The Malaysian police chief dismissed local media reports suggesting that one of the detainees was Singaporean.
