News that Singapore’s counter-terrorism response will be given a boost, with more police quick response teams to be deployed at busy locations, will add to public confidence that the country is prepared to meet a terror attack. In-Situ Reaction Team officers were first deployed in December 2017. Now, patrols will be increased in popular areas such as Orchard Road and Marina Bay to heighten security.

While Singaporeans may understand instinctively that terrorists aim to target and disrupt societies where there is a sense of law, order, peace and stability, few here appeared to be convinced that an attack could occur any time soon. A survey of about 2,000 Singaporeans conducted in June and July last year found that only one in five felt that a terrorism threat was imminent, with an attack occurring here within the next five years. A five-year period is a long time in the trajectory of terrorism given that incidents, large and small, occur with alarming frequency every month in countries rich and poor, developed and developing, and regardless of the religion that the majority of the population professes to follow.