With a straight-up brutal terrorist attack hitting close to home, Singapore has stepped up security measures and the such to ensure vigilance against the tragedy that struck central Jakarta yesterday.
Radical militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility over the attacks near the Sarinah shopping mall yesterday afternoon, with several bombings and a gunfight. Security forces ended the assault after three hours of fighting, leaving seven dead and twenty injured. Five of the dead were the attackers themselves, said to be Indonesian militants. A Canadian and an Indonesian were also killed.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his shock and dismay over the attacks, urging Singaporeans over there to register with the Embassy in Jakarta. He even wrote a letter of solidarity to President Joko Widodo yesterday:
Just wrote to Presiden Joko Widodo to convey my deepest condolences on the terror attacks in Central Jakarta. Singapore…
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday, 14 January 2016
With the threat of the Islamic State looming ever closer, Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean issued an enhancement in security measures and called for unity against possible threats.
Called my Indon counterpart Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan this pm to…
Posted by Teo Chee Hean on Thursday, 14 January 2016
“This incident is another sombre reminder that such attacks can happen in Singapore,” said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement. “Our security and intelligence agencies have enhanced their checks and are in touch with their Indonesian counterparts on their investigations into the attacks.”
The Singapore Armed Forces have also enacted immediate action in response to the attacks, according to their Facebook post:
Heightened VigilanceThe SAF has implemented heightened security measures in view of the multiple attacks in Jakarta….
Posted by The Singapore Army on Thursday, 14 January 2016
Keep safe, everyone.
