Man arrested over Hougang station security scare

SINGAPORE — For the first time since the launch of the SGSecure movement to prepare Singaporeans for any terror attack, an unattended suitcase caused a security scare, leading to the closure of Hougang MRT Station for more than an hour yesterday.

A 39-year-old man has since been arrested for allegedly causing public alarm.

According to the police’s preliminary investigations, he had left the bag in the station intentionally and went to run an errand.

At around 2.45pm, the police were alerted to the unattended bag on the train platform.

Thereafter, the station was closed, and while North East Line services continued, the trains bypassed Hougang station, which was also shuttered for around 20 minutes.

Inspections by officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division and the Public Transport Security Command found that the bag contained only household items, the police said in a statement.

Hougang station was then given the all-clear and reopened for service at around 4pm. About 30 minutes later, police officers were seen escorting a man in a singlet and shorts into a room in the station.

He was escorted out of the station at around 7.30pm, handcuffed and looking tired and sombre.

The immediate action taken was “appropriate”, given the drastic changes in the global security environment now, said Professor Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

Adding that it was “not an over- or under-reaction” on the part of the authorities, which view security as the “highest priority”, Prof Gunaratna said their response was “in keeping with (the) protocols” for suspicious items.

The police said in a statement that it treats all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who intentionally causes public alarm.

When TODAY visited Hougang station in the afternoon, station staff were on hand at the various exits, telling commuters — many of whom were unaware of the closure — to make alternative transport arrangements.

Still, many stayed on in the vicinity, some out of curiosity, others in slight bemusement, despite advice from the police to avoid the area.

Commuters TODAY spoke to were surprised at the closure and at having to make alternative travel plans, but some felt that it was necessary to prevent something potentially dangerous from happening.

Mdm Sa’adiah Abdullah, 65, said she was in a train, bound for her home in Hougang, when she heard the announcement of the closure due to a security incident. She ended up taking a feeder bus from Buangkok back home.

She added that she was concerned about what might have happened when she heard the announcement.

A businessman who wanted to be known only as Mr Choo, 40, said the closure meant a longer commute from Hougang to his parents’ place in Sengkang. But he said it was a “small price to pay for our safety”.

Security analysts saw such reactions as an encouraging sign too. Research analyst Nur Diyanah Anwar from the Centre of Excellence for National Security at the RSIS said it is often a “give and take” situation if a suspicious item is found.

And in the event of disruptions owing to security incidents, she said “commuters should accept the fact that there are investigations” to ensure safety and prevent any further incidents from occurring.

The incident is also a reminder of the need for vigilance, say the analysts. Prof Gunaratna said: “This incident will send a powerful signal to commuters ... that they must pay attention to their own belongings and not leave anything behind.”

The incident will “build into people’s minds the need (and awareness) of being vigilant”.

Ms Nur Diyanah concurred, adding that such an incident showed that “society is slowly getting aware of the role they have to play in the security of Singapore” and that the “drive to get people to be more vigilant” is taking effect.