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Building owners may have to beef up security measures under new Bill

SINGAPORE — Owners of buildings that are iconic, see high human traffic or house essential services will be required to put in place measures to bolster security and guard against terrorist attacks, if a new Bill tabled in Parliament on Monday (Sept 11) is passed.

The Supreme Court and National Gallery Singapore. Buildings housing essential services, that are iconic, or see high human traffic may have to plan and incorporate security measures like video surveillance, vehicle barriers and protection against blasts, if a new Infrastructure Protection Bill introduced in Parliament on Monday (Sep 11) is passed. TODAY file photo
The Supreme Court and National Gallery Singapore. Buildings housing essential services, that are iconic, or see high human traffic may have to plan and incorporate security measures like video surveillance, vehicle barriers and protection against blasts, if a new Infrastructure Protection Bill introduced in Parliament on Monday (Sep 11) is passed. TODAY file photo
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SINGAPORE — Owners of buildings that are iconic, see high human traffic or house essential services will be required to put in place measures to bolster security and guard against terrorist attacks, if a new Bill tabled in Parliament on Monday (Sept 11) is passed.

The Infrastructure Protection Bill would require new buildings to integrate security measures such as video surveillance, vehicle barriers and protection against blasts in their design before they are built, and for selected existing buildings to incorporate such measures in their renovation plans.

If passed, the Bill would also empower the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to instruct “selected buildings’ (management)” to put in place security measures to guard against terrorist attacks.

“(These buildings) could be targeted by terrorists, with the intent of disrupting such services or inflicting mass casualties. Therefore, it is important to ensure that there are adequate building security measures in place,” the MHA said in a statement. 

Such measures “will help deter and deny attackers, as well as minimise casualties and damage in an attack”, it said. If an attack is assessed to be imminent, the ministry can also issue orders to close part of a building, allow members of a state force to enter its premises, or deploy additional protection measures.

It will also give security personnel at “sensitive installations”— such as immigration checkpoints and military camps — more teeth to deal with threats to these installations. These include powers to question suspicious characters, inspect their belongings, and ask them to leave the area.

Unauthorised photography and videography — including using unmanned aircraft — of protected places and areas listed under the existing Protected Areas and Protected Places Act (PAPPA) would be made an offence under the Bill. 

Offenders could be jailed up to two years and/or fined S$20,000.

Security personnel would also be empowered to delete or remove such material from the devices of unauthorised individuals.

An area may be designated “protected” under the Minister’s order or on the application of the owner or occupier of the premises. “Protected” areas will be clearly demarcated to forbid entry by unauthorised individuals. 

Under the new Bill, the PAPPA would be repealed.

TODAY first reported in June how the MHA was working with bollard suppliers and other players in the security industry to explore beefing up security infrastructure at public spaces where crowds gather. Such areas could include Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Speakers’ Corner.

Earlier this year, the Public Order Act was amended, requiring organisers of events with large crowds and those that are of higher risk to put in place security measures.

These amendments, which have yet to come into force, will see the police work with event organisers on the security measures that will be calibrated based on the assessed risk to the event.

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