1. As part of efforts to raise public awareness and equip Singaporeans with the knowledge to act decisively in emergencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched an edutainment web series titled “What Would You Do When Terror Strikes”. Hosted by Joakim Gomez, this three-episode series aims to educate viewers on how to respond effectively and safely during a terror incident, reinforcing SGSecure advisories such as “Run, Hide, Tell” and “Press, Tie, Tell”, as well as the importance of community vigilance.
About the Web Series
2. The first episode of the web series will premiere on the MHA YouTube channel on 30 July 2025, Wednesday. The next two episodes will be released in subsequent fortnights, on 13 August and 27 August 2025 respectively.
3. The first episode shows eight local social media influencers[1], paired into four teams, who were confronted with a simulated armed intruder attack in a workplace setting. The teams must react instinctively to the unfolding events around them, testing their ability to stay calm under pressure and knowledge of what to do under such situations – such as keeping out of harm’s way, helping others, and alerting the authorities.
4. The two other episodes were created using footages from two controlled social experiments that MHA had conducted in the heartlands in mid-June 2025 to understand the level of public vigilance and response to terror threats.
5. The second episode focuses on the social experiment held at Our Tampines Hub (OTH), where a suspicious unattended luggage was left at a high traffic area, and provides observations on how the public responded to a potential threat that could be easily overlooked in today’s fast-paced environment. The third episode focuses on the social experiment that took place at the carpark next to Bishan Community Club (CC), with a car bomb simulation.
6. Each episode is accompanied by a panel of expert commentary to contextualise and provide insights to the responses of the social media influencers and public. The panel, which comprised representatives from the SGSecure Programme Office, Home Team Psychology Division, and Singapore Civil Defence Force, also offers practical advice grounded in SGSecure advisories – such as how to assess threats, evacuate safely, administer basic first aid, or notify the authorities promptly. These insights break down behaviours captured on film while empowering viewers with the right mindset and knowledge, should they find themselves in a similar situation.
Details of the Social Experiments
7. MHA conducted the two social experiments at OTH and at the carpark beside Bishan Community CC on 10 and 13 June respectively.
8. The first social experiment involved a dummy Improvised Explosive Device (IED) hidden in a luggage at OTH, and was conducted in two stages during peak lunch and dinner hours (with each stage lasting 2.5 hours).
(a) During Stage 1 (from 11.45am to 2.15pm), an actor who was dressed suspiciously placed a luggage with tell-tale signs of a concealed IED beside a potted plant located in front of the entrance/exit to the carpark and POSB ATM at Basement 1.
(b) During Stage 2 (from 5.15pm to 7.45pm), the same suspicious-looking luggage, this time with a visible blinking red light, was placed at a pillar in front of 7-Eleven at Level 1.
9. Similarly, the second social experiment involving a car loaded with empty gas cylinders at the carpark beside Bishan CC was conducted in two stages during peak lunch and dinner hours (with each stage lasting 2.5 hours).
(a) During Stage 1 (from 12.15pm to 2.45pm), the suspicious-looking car was parked haphazardly beside a sheltered walkway (connecting Bishan CC to HDB Blk 197).
(b) During Stage 2 (from 5.00pm to 7.30pm), gas cylinders were placed visibly protruding out of the car boot, and smoke was emitted from the car boot periodically.
Findings of Social Experiments
10. Based on MHA’s observations, 17.3% of the 2,530 people who walked past the suspicious objects in both experiments noticed them (ref. Chart A). Of those who noticed the suspicious object, only about 5.9% intended or took steps to inform the authorities (ref. Chart B). Refer to Annex A (PDF, 109KB) for further breakdown.
11. The results of the social experiments contrast with those of the SGSecure Public Perception Survey 2024, where 77% of respondents said they were generally alert and would keep a lookout for such suspicious behaviour or items in public and 88% of respondents said they would contact the relevant authorities if they spotted suspicious behaviours or items, underscoring a significant gap between the public’s perceived and actual level of vigilance[2].
12. The findings point to clear opportunities to strengthen our community’s vigilance and response to potential security threats. MHA will continue to partner the community closely to deepen outreach efforts under the SGSecure movement. At the same time, we encourage members of the public to stay alert to their surroundings and play an active role in keeping our shared spaces safe. Everyone has a part to play in building a strong, vigilant and prepared community.
13. Members of the public are encouraged to watch the web series to learn how to respond effectively if caught in an attack or when encountering suspicious items. For more information on how you can stay prepared, please follow the @SGSecureOfficial account on Instagram and TikTok, download the SGSecure app, or visit our official website at www.sgsecure.gov.sg.
Annexes
1. Annex A - Launch of SGSecure Social Experiments Web Series “What Would You Do When Terror Strikes” (PDF, 109KB)
[1] Social media influencers involved in the first episode are Benjamin Byrne (@the.smiling.afro), Darshen (@darshen), Lingyi (@blingyi), Munah (@munahbagharib), Runner Kao (@runnerkao), Samantha Tan (@samanthatyf), Scott Van Der Ven (@scottiedabottie) and Zaki (@zakiv4).
[2] From March to May 2024, MHA conducted a national-level survey to gauge public perception and sentiments towards the terrorism threat, and participation in emergency preparedness efforts as part of the SGSecure movement. The survey involved a representative sample of 2,003 Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (aged 15 and above) through face-to-face interviews.
