It has been a full decade since the attack on the United States of America has opened our eyes to horror, sorrow and a new word – Terrorism. That fateful incident shattered everyone’s definition of peace, safety and security.

Singapore may be twenty flight hours away from the United States of America and ten years may have passed. But just last year maps of Orchard Road and of Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network with Orchard Station circled were found by Indonesian Authorities. And earlier this year, Indonesian anti-terrorism officials arrested 11 suspects who were plotting to attack the Singapore embassy in Jakarta, targeting only Singaporeans who were leaving the compound. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong prompted Singaporeans saying “We must stay vigilant,”

Honestly, it is not easy to maintain a constant state of vigilance when the government are not only on constant high alert but also taking preventive and precautionary methods to safeguard Singapore for any possible openings for any attacks. Our initial horrors have gradually been replaced by easy complacency. We failed to take into account that even as the government are learning as well as enhancing, terrorist groups alike are also learning from their past achievements and failures and will continue to develop elevated strategies to launch more effective attacks.

Yes, a full decade later terrorism still remains a multi-faceted elusive threat that takes an entire nation’s vigilance for prevention.

“Singapore has been targeted in the past and continues to remain a trophy target. We cannot let our guard down.” – Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs