29 January 2002 1403 hrs (GMT) 2203 hrs (SST) Singapore sets up inter-racial circles to counter terrorist attacks by Hwee Goh
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong

The government has decided to set up Inter-Racial Confidence Circles.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced this at a dialogue with Singaporeans, as one way to prepare the nation if a terrorist attack should ever happen.

Mr Goh said: "The primary objective is to get our irrational fears off our chest, and get to know each other better."

With that, Mr Goh set the tone for the dialogue.

He wanted a frank discussion about how the other races in Singapore feel about Malay-Muslim Singaporeans.

Against this backdrop, Mr Goh warned that the detention of 13 Jemaah Islamiyah members was not the end.

Mr Goh said: "I do not want to alarm you because there's no immediate intelligence of a bomb about to go off some time this year, but I think it is prudent for us to assume that one day, somewhere in Singapore, the terrorists will strike again."

He said there might still be other terrorists who have not been identified or detained yet, or terrorists in the region, who might decide to hit out at American targets in Singapore, or even local targets.

In fact, he pointed out that the 13 detainees were only carrying out reconnaissance for foreign terrorists.

Mr Goh said: "The final hi-tech explosions were going to be carried out by foreign experts.

"Should a bomb go off, and dozens of Chinese and Indians are killed and injured, I dare not imagine the anger of the Chinese and Indians against our Malays and Muslims."

So it was critical, he said, to set up Inter-Racial Confidence Circles.

These will comprise leaders of racial, religious, social and business groups in each neighbourhood.

Their role is to encourage regular interaction and confidence among the races.

This, said Mr Goh, was the best strategy to prevent any full-blown racial confrontation if an attack happens.

Mr Goh said: "The objective of the IRCCs is to provide a platform for confidence-building among the different communities, a basis for developing, in time, deeper friendships and trust.

"Regular interactions will build up inter-racial and religious support. It will also provide the opportunity for all parties to address immediately, racial and religious problems on the ground."

But it works both ways.

Mr Goh urged non-Muslims to reach out to their Malay/Muslim neighbours.

But at the same time, Malay/Muslims must not over-react or feel they are being looked at with suspicion.

He said they need to be more active in the community, outside the mosques.

Mr Goh said: "Let us turn this JI episode into something positive. Let us use the opportunity to strengthen inter-racial and inter-religious relations in Singapore. Let us have a heart-to-heart exchange on any unease and concerns we may have. I want all of us to establish rapport and understanding before we leave this place tonight."