Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Policing of Forested Areas for Illegal Activities

Question:

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how does the Ministry police forested areas to ensure that they are not used to compromise national security; and (b) what types of illegal activities have been most commonly detected in forested areas over the past five years.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) works closely with various Government agencies and landowners such as the Singapore Land Authority, National Parks Board, and Ministry of Defence to keep these locations free from illegal activities through monitoring, sharing of information and joint operations. SPF will respond when there are reports of suspicious activities with law-and-order concerns.

2. The SPF is equipped with an array of capabilities to respond to such incidents. The Gurkha Contingent and Special Operations Command have specialised capabilities for search and rescue and manhunt operations within forested areas. The SPF also deploys technological tools, including drones with thermal-imaging capabilities, to augment the ground response.

3. Illegal activities commonly detected in forested areas include those involving illegal immigrants and vice activities.