Issue 3: Transnational terrorism

Question 1

What is terrorism?

Answer 1

use of violence to harm or generate fear amongst civilians

Question 2

Why is transnational terrorism more prevalent?

Answer 2

• technological advances have improved the speed of communication, travel, and trade. With the internet, terrorist groups can recruit, train, transfer funds etc, allowing terrorism to become a global movement
  (2003-2005, more than 4,300 websites serving terrorist groups)
• self radicalisation are not members of any terrorist organisation but have been inspired by extremist propaganda

Question 3

Example of terrorism

Answer 3

9/11:
On 11 September 2001, Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 American aeroplanes and crashed them into the USA. One was the World Trade Centre in New York Centre, almost 3,000 dead

Question 4

Preventive Measures to manage Transnational Terrorism

Answer 4

• effective border controls to prevent movement of foreign terrorists and materials that can be used to produce explosives. Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) formed in 2003 to monitor and regulate movement across borders.
• collaboration with other countries, United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) after 9/11 attacks. Member states of UN to share info to prevent terrorist attacks

Question 5

Protective Measures to Manage Transnational Terrorism

Answer 5

• increased vigilance through surveillance to ensure the safety of citizens. Enhanced in critical infrastructure like power stations as well as in public places. Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) works closely with homeland agencies to protect key installations. Jurong Island, Singapore’s photochemical hub is protected by SAF troops who work closely with the Police Coast Guard
• full body scanners in airports in USA in 2007, meant to identify potentially dangerous objects but faced opposition as they felt their privacy was compromised (virtual body strip), scanners replaced in 2013
• Internal Security Act (ISA) allows the government to detain suspected terrorists without trial. Applies to anyone who threatens the peace of Singapore. Only the president can veto

Question 6

Responsive Measures to Manage Transnational Terrorism

Answer 6

• exercises held by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Service Defense (SCDF) to test contingency plans. Exercise Heartbeat helps us be more prepared to deal with such threats
• collaboration with other countries. DSO National Laboratories work closely with USA, French, Swedish counterparts on chemical, radiological, explosive related research to better prepare Singapore