Shangri-La shooting: Police took ‘precise action’ to stem threat at security summit
The Singapore-registered red Subaru Impreza that the police opened fire at on May 31, 2015 near the Shangri-La Hotel, being towed away along Anderson Road. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The police’s actions were precise when they shot at a driver who rammed through security barriers set up for a high-level security summit in May, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament today (July 13).
The effect of the police’s actions were limited to the vehicle and the persons in it, he noted, adding that it was sparked by the non-compliant, aggressive and threatening acts of the driver near an event assessed to be subject to a high level of threat.
Mr Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister, was responding to Mr Hri Kumar Nair (MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) on the security measures put in place for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue attended by defence ministers, officials and military chiefs around the world, as well as the police protocol for engaging with vehicles that breach security checkpoints. The police shot and killed Mohamad Taufik Zahar, 34, after he ignored police warnings to stop at a security checkpoint near the event on the morning of May 31.
“The vigilance, alertness and composure of our police officers in this incident reflect the high level of professionalism and skill which comes from realistic training and regular exercises to enhance their readiness and validate contingency plans,” said Mr Teo.
He added that a coroner’s inquiry will be conducted on the driver’s death, as required by law, in the coming months to establish the detailed cause of and circumstances leading to the shooting.
Mr Teo told Parliament that police had adopted a high security protection level for the summit, as such a major international security event “is a prime target for terrorists”. To secure the venue and protect the delegates, there were a series of roadblocks and security checkpoints for persons and vehicles around the Shangri-La Hotel from May 28 to 31.
Traffic signs were placed to alert drivers of the checks, said Mr Teo, and vehicles had to be checked to make sure they were not carrying dangerous weapons or explosives, such as Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), before they are allowed to pass.
Mr Teo cited the Global Terrorism Index Report 2014, which showed that explosives have consistently been the most prevalent type of weapon used in attacks, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all incidents globally. The Government had also foiled a 2001 plan by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network to use truck bombs against embassies, MRT stations and military installations in Singapore, for instance.
“These are all sober reminders that Singapore is not immune to this threat,” said Mr Teo.
In addition to the vehicle inspection points, he added that concrete barriers weighing about two tonnes each, police land rovers or mobile crash barriers had been placed in a manner to deter, slow down and impede drivers who try to evade checks and drive VBIEDs into an event area. Mohamad Taufik had crashed through the barriers, ignoring officers’ repeated orders to stop, causing an imminent threat to lives.
His two passengers, Mohamed Ismail, 31, and Muhammad Syahid Mohamed Yasin, 26, were arrested and charged for drugs found in the car.
“Police’s procedure, as a last resort, is to open fire at the driver of the vehicle to neutralise the threat immediately to prevent it from causing danger to the event and the delegates and others involved in the event,” said Mr Teo, adding that the use of lethal force is provided for under the Criminal Procedure Code.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is also reviewing the incident thoroughly, and will incorporate any relevant findings from the coroner’s inquiry to ensure that police’s measures continue to be effective in deterring, preventing, and dealing with potential security threats,” Mr Teo added,
