Launch of Healthcare Industry Safety and Security Watch Group (iSSWG), together with National Safety and Security Watch Group (NSSWG) and TOPSIS Awards Ceremony 2026 – Speech by Ms Sim Ann, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs

President of Healthcare Services Employees Union, Ms K Thanaletchimi,

Representative of the Singapore Medical Association, Ms Krysania Tan,

Members of the Safety and Security Watch Group (SSWG),

Representatives from the Healthcare Industry,

Colleagues and partners from the Home Team and the Ministry of Health,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Opening

1. Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you for the launch of the Healthcare Industry Safety and Security Watch Group, and for the National Safety and Security Watch Group and TOPSIS Awards Ceremony.

The Security Landscape

2. Singapore remains one of the world’s safest countries. Gallup’s 2025 Global Safety Report ranked Singapore the safest country in the world for the 12th time.

3. Nonetheless, we must not take safety for granted. ISD’s latest terrorism threat assessment states that the threat remains high. Global conflicts continue to fuel radicalisation, while violent and extremist content online has accelerated this process, particularly among youths.

4. Youth radicalisation cases under the Internal Security Act have almost quadrupled over the past five years – from four cases between 2017 and 2021 to 15 since 2022.

5. Although these cases were detected and addressed in time, the authorities cannot prevent every plot or attack on their own. Our strongest defence is a vigilant and resilient community – one that recognises warning signs, looks out for others and seeks assistance early, before individuals are drawn further down a dangerous path.

6. We must therefore guard against complacency. SGSecure social experiments conducted in 2025 found that only about 17% of passers-by noticed a suspicious suitcase or a vehicle. Of these, only about 5% intended to alert, or alerted, the authorities. These findings underscore the need to strengthen public vigilance significantly.

Importance of Community Partnership

7. Community partnership is therefore essential. Safeguarding Singapore is a shared responsibility that requires a whole-of-society effort. The Home Team and our partner agencies have accordingly engaged individuals and organisations across society to strengthen our collective resilience and preparedness against terrorism.

8. The Police have expanded this network through the Safety and Security Watch Group, and Industry Safety and Security Watch Group initiatives. Today, it comprises more than 2,000 SSWG members and iSSWGs across 10 industry sectors.

9. I extend my appreciation to our partners for their steadfast support. Through the sharing of advisories, enhancement of preparedness and fostering of collaboration, you have contributed to safer and more resilient communities. This embodies the spirit of SaferSG, Together: every one of us has a role in safeguarding Singapore.

Launch of Healthcare iSSWG (2026)

10. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the iSSWG initiative. Today, we formally welcome Healthcare as the 11th sector in this expanding network.

11. The iSSWG network brings together the Police and partners from sectors including hospitality, retail, finance, manufacturing, transport and chemicals. Through regular engagement, information sharing and capability development, these partnerships have enhanced preparedness, extended outreach and strengthened vigilance.

12. Building on this foundation, the Healthcare iSSWG will provide a dedicated platform for the Police and the Singapore Medical Association to work with the Ministry of Health, the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union and other stakeholders on sector-specific advisories, exercises and information sharing.

13. Healthcare institutions are integral to our medical response during a crisis, but they are not immune to safety and security threats. High footfall, frontline operations and the presence of vulnerable patients make sustained preparedness imperative in an increasingly complex operating environment.

14. Healthcare workers may encounter verbal abuse, threats and, at times, physical violence. Such conduct is unacceptable. It jeopardises staff well-being, disrupts operations and compromises the safe environment required for the delivery of quality care.

15. The Healthcare iSSWG will build on the strong foundation established by MOH’s Tripartite Workgroup for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare, and deepen collaboration to foster a culture of care, respect and safety.

16. I encourage the Singapore Medical Association to play an active role by disseminating safety, security, crime and scam advisories to its members. Through our collective efforts, we can strengthen the sector’s resilience against evolving threats and ensure that our healthcare institutions remain safe for all.

NSSWG – Achievements and Awards

17. Today, we also recognise organisations and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing safety and security within their sectors and communities through the NSSWG and TOPSIS awards.

18. The NSSWG awards recognise members that have instituted exemplary workplace security practices to address terrorist threats. These measures include the regular review of emergency response plans, the conduct of exercises, staff training, and the adoption of technologies such as CCTV and access-control systems.

TOPSIS Organisation Awards

19. I would also like to highlight two organisations that exemplify the spirit of the TOPSIS Organisational Awards. Now in their third year, these awards recognise sustained commitment to security excellence and the development of communities equipped to Recognise, Report and Resolve potential threats.

20. First, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, or RCAS, has extended TOPSIS to 29 churches and is on track to include all 32 by year-end. Places of worship are designed to be open and welcoming to all; however, this openness may also give rise to vulnerabilities. RCAS has demonstrated that a welcoming environment can be maintained alongside a strong culture of vigilance.

21. JurongHealth Campus, comprising Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital, also merits special recognition. As Singapore’s first healthcare institution to implement TOPSIS in 2025, it has established a strong precedent. Its pioneering efforts demonstrate how vigilance, preparedness and operational resilience can be strengthened within a complex healthcare environment.

22. These achievements affirm a fundamental principle: security is a shared responsibility. Every organisation that assumes ownership – whether a place of worship, a healthcare institution or workplace – strengthens our collective resilience and contributes an additional layer of protection for Singapore.

23. To all award recipients, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your dedication has contributed materially to keeping Singapore safe and secure and provides a strong example for others to follow.

Conclusion

24. As the threat landscape evolves, partnerships among the Home Team, industry and the community must continue to deepen.

25. I thank all our partners for their steadfast support and continued commitment to SaferSG, Together, and I wish everyone a pleasant afternoon. Thank you