Verbalism Personified

SMRT Bomb Hoax

Posted Tue 27 April 2004

"Beware! Singapore is not safe from today, anytime, anywhere. Revenge is sweet. Help save lives."
- Mohamed Ansari Amanulla, SMRT Bomb Hoaxer.


A poll taken (ST, Tue 20 April 2004) after the announcement that an SMRT employee was charged with hoaxing a terrorist bomb threat on a train (ST, Mon 19 April 2004) revealed that 63 percent of respondents would report any suspicious looking packages found with threatening notes.

The pre-amble of the survey was to gauge public reaction to the call made by the Transport Minister to be on the lookout for such items. SMRT has since implemented security measures after the Madrid train bombings that left 191 people dead. It is reassuring to learn that the message is getting through as the majority responded with civil and public mindedness.

In addition, 6 percent of respondents would leave it alone, citing unnecessary paranoia. A good 13 percent would not care to tell anyone about what they had found but would themselves, stay clear just in case. However an astonishing 18 percent would open the package, see what it is and keep anything of value. After all, it is a finder’s keeper’s society right?

As with all polls, the agenda is set and respondents are limited to the choices they are optioned with, never mind that some choose to respond in a cynical or light-hearted manner. It is an approximate gauge, not an absolute indicator of public reaction and should be taken with a degree of latitude.

In the instance where threats to national security are concerned, a galvanizing of public opinion and vigilance is needed if terrorist activities are to be pre-empted and prevented. Given that a terrorist group has placed Singapore on its hit list among others (ST, Thu 22 April 2004), it would be naïve to assume that these threats won’t be followed through should an opportunity present itself.

There are some who think that Singapore represents too insignificant a target to be worth the effort. However should Singapore sustain a hit resulting in loss of property and life, the damage to its credibility would be devastating, given the amount of effort put into security and the lengths to which the Government has gone to proclaim Singapore a secular haven in a region where Islamic neighbors continue to wrestle with pockets of their own extremist populations.

Those resentful of Singapore’s success, close ties with the West, stand against terrorism and its arrogant attitude toward its neighbors, would have a field day gloating on the fact that, rightfully, Singapore had it coming. The impact on foreign investment, tourism and the economy would be considerable. Given that Singapore’s economic growth depend on these elements, such a hit is definitely bad for business.

It does not help social cohesion when the individual involved comes from the very same community that prides itself with tolerance and moderation. Mohamed Ansari may have had his reasons for pulling such a stunt. And we are sure the authorities would be most interested to hear why. However it does not help his own community, already shocked and dismayed by revelations of a previous but real terrorist plot, maintain and build on the cohesion that has been the cornerstone of Singapore’s social development.

Sometimes it takes a common threat to band a society closer. Where the selfish, the oblivious and the civil-minded come together to meet the threat head-on. Well here is a threat before us. A threat that does not discriminate between the young or old, rich or poor, religious or worldly. 63 percent have their hearts and minds in the right place. The issue of Singapore’s security is more important and bigger than ourselves. The remaining 37 percent would have to re-examine their motives and decide if being naïve, selfish or greedy is worth their while being blown up.

posted by Teutoburg @ 1:07 AM