SINGAPORE cannot let its guard down against the threat of terrorism - even if most people are now concerned about jobs in the downturn.

Sounding this reminder, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday at the annual Community Engagement Programme (CEP) seminar that during these difficult economic times, the concern of many people is job security.

'But we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball.'

For the threat of terrorism and extremism remains, stressed Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister: 'We would be naive to think that we're immune to extremism and bigotry.'

Recent cases of self-radicalised individuals who were detected and detained here showed 'how wrong such an assumption would be', he added.

So the work of the CEP is 'never ending', he said. And it remains a key resource to enhance national unity, he added.

He was speaking at the Orchid Country Club to some 500 community leaders, government officials, business and union leaders, and students.

Joining him were several ministers: Mr K. Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs; Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS); and Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts.

Mr Wong's comments struck a chord with one participant, Mr V. Bimel Ram, 43, who runs a media and management consultancy.

He said: 'I think security of our nation is crucial to attracting multinational corporations here and that in turn ensures jobs. Everything is linked.' Mr Bimel, who has been involved in CEP since 2006, agreed that Singaporeans cannot afford to be complacent.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Sunday Times.