Security stepped up at Environment Building at Scotts Road after bomb threat
No threat items were found during preliminary checks, says the Singapore Police Force.
A sign next to ground floor turnstiles at Singapore's Environment Building at 40 Scotts Road, informing workers of an "emergency situation" and "building lockdown" on Aug 23, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
SINGAPORE: A bomb threat was received on Wednesday morning (Aug 23) at the Environment Building, which houses the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and its statutory boards the National Environment Agency (NEA) and water agency PUB.
"Preliminary checks were done by police and security officers at the Environment Building and no threat items were found," said the ministry in response to CNA's queries.
The Environment Building is among 18 locations around Singapore, including government buildings, embassies and other places of interest, which received alleged bomb threats. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said no items of security concern were found.
The police are investigating this as a "case of communicating false information of a harmful thing".
They noted similar reports of email bomb threats in South Korea, sent seemingly by the same person, which turned out to be a hoax.
The first signs of a security situation at the Environment Building at 40 Scotts Road came at around 9am when multiple sources told CNA that people were allowed to leave but not enter.
An email sent to employees at about 10am said there was an "emergency situation" and that the building was "under lockdown" but people could leave if they wanted to.
The same information was seen on a sign next to turnstiles on the ground floor when CNA arrived at the scene later in the morning.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu later wrote on Facebook that she received news while overseas about a "security situation" at the building.
"Police had worked with security officers on premises for preliminary checks and no threat items were found," she said at about 1pm.
"I’m monitoring the developments closely from here and am in constant contact with my colleagues."
Another email sent to employees at about 12.20pm said that the building would be closed for the rest of the week.
Police officers and five police cars were spotted at the scene, and people were seen exiting the building calmly and milling about outside.
A security guard was heard telling people that they were allowed to leave the building but not enter. Staff declined to comment when approached by the media.
People in a cafeteria in the building were not allowed to dine in and could only take away their food.
In response to CNA's queries, MSE said on Wednesday night that it has stepped up security and restricted access to the Environment Building.
"The safety of all staff and stakeholders of the Environment Building is our priority," it added.
"MSE will cooperate fully with the Singapore Police Force in police investigations."
