In 2001, the extremist Jemaah Islamiah terror group hatched a plot of carnage in Singapore. It would drive trucks rigged with explosives into foreign embassies, military bases and commercial buildings.

Fortunately, intelligence agencies were one step ahead, thwarted the plan and Singaporeans were spared the horror of wanton death and destruction.

In the years since, Singapore has remained in the crosshairs of terror groups that have targeted other assets, including iconic landmarks such as Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands.

In the face of the growing threat, the new Infrastructure Protection Bill is both important and timely. The proposed law, introduced in Parliament on Monday, seeks to toughen security at buildings deemed to be potential targets.

It will give the Government powers to require selected buildings to put in place enhanced security measures such as vehicle crash barriers and video surveillance, or to strengthen buildings against explosive blasts.

Experts say the Bill, if passed into law, will fortify critical infrastructure and, consequently, the safety of the people in them.

The improved surveillance in these buildings will also allow enforcement agencies to track down and nab terrorists more easily, should an attack occur, said Mr Peter Hoad, director of resilience, security and risk at consulting group Arup.

The Bill is also a good complement to Singapore's counter-terrorism strategy of making targets less attractive to terrorists.

In April, the Public Order Act was amended to beef up security at large public events, which are prime targets because of the thick crowds.

Both measures will cost businesses, but this is the price terrorists have imposed on society, and the private sector needs to bear part of it. It would help ensure that Singaporeans can live in a country that is as free as possible from the terror threat.

To terror groups and others who seek to harm the country, the message is clear: Singapore is no easy target.

Danson Cheong