DEPUTY Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng (above) has identified the search for escaped Jemaah Islamiah detainee Mas Selamat Kastari as one of the key tasks for the police this year.
In his speech at the Police Workplan Seminar yesterday, he also recognised the commitment and professionalism shown by the police, including NSmen, the Special Operations Command and the Gurkha contingent, in the ongoing search.
He said: 'They were physically stretched by the ground operations, but they remained positive, committed to the mission and focused on their mission.'
Mr Wong, who is also Minister for Home Affairs, drew on compliments he has received from visitors and expatriates on Singapore's low crime rate, which stands at less than 700 per 100,000 people last year.
He also noted that Singapore has emerged tops in surveys done by overseas parties, such as the Global Peace Index, for its ability to maintain law and order and public safety and security.
Active citizenry has played a part in maintaining these too, he said, noting also that more than 400 community members were taking part in the seminar.
Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, who addressed the seminar later yesterday, reiterated MrWong's points.
He cited a study done last year in which Singapore was rated the least-risky Asian country in which to do business.
But he stressed that no community is immune to crises, so 'we must be better prepared all the time to deal with the unexpected'.
Mr Wong also made a call for continued vigilance at upcoming mega events here, such as the F1 night race this September, the Apec Summit next year, as well as the 2010 Youth Olympics and the opening of the first integrated resort.
'We must also be alert to threats posed by terrorism and the influx of criminal elements into our society as they will pose new challenges to the police's operating landscape,' he said.
Also present at the seminar was MrK. Shanmugam, the Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, who took office last week.
SUJIN THOMAS