PM LEE CONFIDENT OF STRONG MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE TO SECURITY THREATS

Since the National Maritime Security System (NMSS) was established in 2011, it has been working to broaden links with land-based and maritime security agencies. That all came together in a large-scale 10-day exercise, codenamed Highcrest, which began on 29 Oct.

1,600 personnel from 20 national agencies put the NMSS' working processes to the test as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited the exercise on 6 Nov and witnessed how the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) worked together with a multitude of national agencies to tackle a multi-pronged attack by 'terrorists'.

The action began with a 'hijacked' ferry charging towards a busy ferry terminal in eastern Singapore. By then, the NMSS had already activated a response plan involving the various agencies, having predicted the attack based on incidents detected earlier.

Two Patrol Vessels from the RSN, together with the Police Coast Guard and other vessels from national agencies intercepted the ferry. Overhead, Super Puma helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force hovered as SOTF troopers descended and stormed the ferry. More troopers boarded from their fast boats and sealed off all escape points for the 'terrorists'.

On land, there was a similar picture. Crack teams from the SOTF and Singapore Police Force worked together to take down 'terrorists' who wreaked havoc at the ferry terminal. A hostage situation was also quickly defused.

Speaking to the media about the NMSS after his visit, PM Lee said: "It's not just a demonstration, there are people assessing, evaluating. From what I have seen, they have prepared and trained well and I have every confidence that they will achieve full operational capability.

"It's not easy to get this many agencies to work together and we have to keep practising it."

He added: "Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work. We started this security system two years ago in 2011. Two years down the road, this is a 'graduation' exercise."

Mr Lee was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, as well as Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and other ministers during the visit.

Rear-Admiral (RADM) Jackson Chia, Head Naval Operations and one of the two exercise directors, said: "The exercise reflected well that we (the various security agencies) are able to inter-operate as a team."

"Moving forward, we will further improve some of these processes so that the NMSS will be a stronger system."

Exercise Highcrest is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force, other agencies involved include the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The exercise concludes on 7 Nov.