But in the event that they do, Singaporeans must be ready to respond, he added.

In the particular case of Mas Selamat's escape, Mr Teo said he was heartened by the 'cohesive and united' response of Singaporeans.

He noted that many Singaporeans had banded together to distribute photos of the fugitive at public places.

'We see this as a threat that is common to all of us, and have taken action together to overcome this threat...regardless of race or religion.

'This augurs well for us,' he said to about 370 grassroots and community leaders.

They were attending an event that underscores Singapore's continuous effort to maintain social cohesion. It is part of the People's Association's Community Engagement Programme (CEP).

Mas Selamat, 47, escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre on Feb 27 and has yet to be found.

Under the CEP, a core group of key community leaders in a constituency is identified to help the authorities calm the public during a crisis.

Yesterday, five constituencies in the North East District were recognised as CEP Ready: Tampines Changkat, Paya Lebar, Tampines East, Eunos and Punggol East. They are in addition to an earlier four constituencies identified in the North West District.

Today, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim is scheduled to certify those in the Central Singapore District. In all, 28 - or one in three - constituencies would be CEP Ready by next month.

At a dialogue during last night's event, the grassroots and community leaders raised issues related to community bonding with Mr Teo and three MPs: Mr Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), Madam Cynthia Phua (Aljunied GRC), and Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC).

One community leader asked for the rationale in locating religious institutions, such as churches, temples and mosques, near one another.

Such clustering, he said, often causes residents grief as illegal parking would be rife, especially during a major religious festival.

Mr Palmer said such clustering would make it easier for people of different religions to learn about each other's faiths.

OTHER REPORTS

Jams put brakes on road trips to Malaysia

'I think I saw Mas Selamat'

1,100 calls to police since the escape

The manhunt that brought S'poreans together