S’poreans must show ‘fortitude, resilience’ during terror attack
People light candles at a vigil for the victims of Wednesday's attack, at Trafalgar Square in London, Thursday, March 23, 2017. Photo: AP
HANOI — While Singaporeans must be conscious that an attack like the one in London could happen here, “we cannot be fortified every single moment of our lives”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (March 24).
Should an attack happen, it is important for Singaporeans to have the fortitude and resilience to carry on with their lives, he told the Singapore media as he wrapped up his four-day visit to Vietnam.
On Wednesday, a lone attacker rammed his vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge near the British Parliament, and fatally stabbed a police constable before being shot dead by the police. The attack left five dead, including the assailant, and injured about 50 people.
“These things can happen. They have happened in many other cities, they could happen in Singapore,” Mr Lee said.
While exact details of the circumstances behind the London attack are not known yet, he added: “In a modern, civilised world, we cannot be fortified every single moment of our lives.
“We have to go on the basis that we’re working together in peace, we trust one another, we work with one another. We’re on our guard but at the same time, we know that there’s no 100 per cent fool-proof protection.”
And if such an attack does happen in Singapore, Mr Lee said Singaporeans need to have the fortitude, resilience and unity to denounce it, find out the background that led to the attack and do what needs to be done.
“But at the same time, carry on with our lives. Tomorrow is another day, and Singapore survives,” he said.
In the wake of the London attack, several Singaporean ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, also stressed the need for unity should a terror attack occur, and to prevent such acts from dividing society.
In a Facebook post, Mr Teo said Singaporeans need to be alert to prevent a terror attack. “We need to be alert to prevent an attack; ready to respond to keep ourselves and others safe if we are caught up in one; remain resilient to carry on life normally; and stay united to counter those who advocate extremism and violence.”
