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SINGAPORE: The day that United States President Barack Obama arrived in Singapore, a convoy of four BMW cars with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) number plates attempted to enter the Shangri-La Hotel without security checks.
Despite the insistence of the motorcade's security command officer that a minister was in one of the cars, the police officers – who included National Servicemen – stood firm and performed the vehicle checks.
In the end, it was a test by the Home Team on its men on the ground.
The anecdote, related on Monday by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, exemplified how Home Team officers made last month's meetings "remembered for the real achievements made and not for the public protests, violent demonstrations or unpopular security measures that some past APEC meetings were remembered for".
Officers had executed plans robustly, even as security arrangements were kept flexible, Mr Wong said.
For example, a wedding at the Padang – held within the secured area – went on as planned, with officers on hand to ensure security inconveniences for families and guests were minimised.
The minister was speaking to 500 Home Team officers during an APEC appreciation lunch.
- TODAY/so
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