Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min visited Exercise Highcrest 2019 earlier today and observed how the Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre (SMCC) coordinates and manages the whole-of-government responses to deal with maritime security threats. Held from 16 to 22 October 2019, the exercise involves personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (SC) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This years exercise validated the national agencies abilities to deal with maritime security threats, including terrorist infiltration via the sea, attacks on vessels using small boats, and ferry hijacks.

Following a briefing at SMCC, Mr Heng and Dr Lam sailed on the RSS Independence, one of the RSNs Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel, and saw how the RSN coordinated whole-of-government resources and assets to respond to a ferry attack. This included securing the vicinity using RSN and PCG assets, diverting maritime traffic away from the location, and intercepting a suspicious small boat. At Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, the ministers also witnessed the enforcement of enhanced security measures, such as ICAs enhanced security checks, and MPAs coordination with ferry operators to reschedule ferry movements and attend to affected passengers.

Mr Heng highlighted the important role of the SMCC in deterring maritime threats and keeping Singapores waters safe. He said, "Exercise Highcrest brings together relevant maritime agencies in a whole-of-government effort in order for us to be able to detect, respond collectively and effectively towards terrorist threats in our territorial waters… This is really part of Total Defence, this is where military defence and economic defence comes together."

Dr Lam also emphasised the important role that our commercial entities and the public play in keeping Singapore safe and secure. He said, "In the event of maritime incidents, there will be more stringent checks at our ferry terminals. We will work closely with the various stakeholders to manage disruptions, such as unexpected delays and cancellation of ferry services. It is only through such close partnerships that we can continue to keep our waters safe."

Also present were Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong as well as representatives of the Crisis Management Group (Maritime Security).