SINGAPORE, July 8 – The Singapore government accepts all the Committee of Inquiry’s (COI) recommendations on the Little India riot and will implement them vigorously, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Teo Chee Hean.
He said the COI report released publicly on June 30, made several important recommendations and observations to improve the management of such incidents and to reduce the risk of such incidents recurring.
“By implementing the COI recommendations, we will be better prepared, and the Home Team, the government, as well as Singapore will emerge readier and stronger from this incident,” he said in his closing remarks on the government’s response to the COI report in parliament, here today.
On Dec 8, 2013, a riot broke out after a fatal traffic accident along Race Course Road in Little India.
The riot was the worst public order disturbance in Singapore in more than four decades.
Teo said the Home Team and other government agencies, have all learned valuable lessons from this incident.
“One recurring theme in our deliberations today, and also in the COI’s proceedings and report is the dedication and the quality of our officers.
“Our officers and commanders were steadfast in carrying out their mission. They responded when called upon, worked together with fellow officers and put themselves in harm’s way to manage, contain, and eventually, quell the riot.”
Based on suggestion by several members, Teo said, the government will consider giving recognition to Home Team officers who answered the call to action, to quell the riot that night, in the face of personal danger and under difficult circumstances.
“We will also see how we can give recognition to particular officers who stood out for their outstanding response during the riot,” he added.
– BERNAMA
