In a shocking turn of events, the Environment Building at 40 Scotts Road, which houses the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and other vital government agencies, found itself engulfed in a bomb threat scare along with 17 other locations yesterday (23 August), according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Singapore Police Force said in a statement confirming the incidents that took place on 9am yesterday morning at several prominent locations, including the Environment Building. In swift response, security protocols were immediately enacted, resulting in an evacuation and lockdown of the building and its surroundings.
The Swift Investigation and Security Response
Meticulous checks were conducted across the targeted sites. Thankfully, no potential security threats were discovered, allowing for a sigh of relief to reverberate among the concerned citizens.
The police are pursuing the incident, a transgression that can lead to severe consequences. Perpetrators of such a hoax can face imprisonment for up to seven years and a maximum fine of $50,000.
They added that the bomb threats are reminiscent of a similar case that happened recently in South Korea, where email bomb threats were reportedly sent by the same person, which was revealed to have been a hoax.
Police investigations are currently underway/
Ministry of Sustainability and Environment responds
The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) confirms that the National Environment Agency (NEA) and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, had received a bomb threat related to the Environment Building.
Preliminary checks were done by Singapore Police Force and security officers at the Environment Building and no threat items were found.
The safety of all staff and stakeholders of the Environment Building is our priority. Since this morning, we have stepped up security and restricted access into the Environment Building.
MSE will cooperate fully with Singapore Police Force in police investigations.
Statement by Minister Grace Fu
While attending ASEAN meetings in Vientiane, Laos, I received news from back home that a security situation is ongoing at the Environment Building. Police had worked with security officers on premises for preliminary checks and no threat items were found. I’m monitoring the developments closely from here and am in constant contact with my colleagues. I would like to assure all staff and stakeholders at the Environment Building that their safety is our priority.