A 40-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly making two separate bomb threats involving Parliament House and the headquarters of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX).
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the threats triggered security responses at both locations, with officers conducting extensive checks to ensure public safety.
Investigations later led authorities to identify and arrest a suspect believed to be linked to both incidents.
First Threat Targeted HTX Premises
According to SPF, the first incident took place on July 3 when HTX received a submission through an online form claiming that a bomb had been planted within its premises.
HTX is headquartered at 1 Stars Avenue in one-north, a building that also houses media organisation Mediacorp.
Following the report, police officers carried out a comprehensive search of the building and surrounding areas. The operation included systematic sweeps of the premises to determine whether any suspicious or dangerous items were present.
No items of security concern were discovered during the checks.
Parliament House Also Targeted
Several days later, on July 7, an anonymous email was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office claiming that a bomb had been placed inside Parliament House.
The report prompted another immediate security response.
Police conducted a thorough sweep of Parliament House and its surrounding areas to assess the threat and safeguard the premises.
As with the earlier incident involving HTX, officers found no suspicious objects or items of concern.
Suspect Arrested After Investigations
Subsequent investigations by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Central Police Division resulted in the identification of a 40-year-old man believed to be responsible for both threats.
He was arrested on July 7.
Police also seized several electronic devices that are believed to have been used in the commission of the offences. The devices will form part of the evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The man is expected to be charged on July 9 with communicating false information relating to a harmful threat under Section 268A of the Penal Code.
If convicted, he could face a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.
Police Warn Against False Threats
SPF emphasised that all security threats are treated seriously, regardless of whether they ultimately prove to be genuine.
Authorities noted that false bomb threats can create unnecessary public anxiety and result in significant deployments of security and emergency resources.
Police added that such incidents divert manpower away from other operational duties and investigations, stressing that firm action will be taken against individuals who deliberately make false reports that threaten public safety.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.