The mission of MHA is to make Singapore a safe and secure best home for our people. A total budget of $2.4 billion has been allocated to MHA in FY2006 to achieve this mission. Guided by Ministry Headquarters, the functions of preserving internal security, enforcing law and order, and protecting lives and property are carried out by six departments. They are the Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the Prisons Department, the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Singapore Police Force

$45 million will be allocated to develop the new Home Team Academy to address the training needs of Home Team officers. This new facility will be equipped with advanced Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and modern training technology such as Firearm Training Simulator and computer-based training to equip Home Team officers with the skills to meet with the demands of a rapidly changing security environment.

$29 million will be set aside to enhance the level of safety and security, in the post 9/11 operating environment. Additional officers and equipment will be deployed at the checkpoints, including the new Low Cost Carrier Terminal, to detect and prevent the infiltration of undesirable persons and items into Singapore.

$23 million will be used to relocate the Police Coast Guard Headquarters from Kallang Basin to Brani to enhance the Police Coast Guard’s maritime response capabilities, coverage and operations from the southern shoreline of Singapore during peacetime and emergency.

$23 million will be allocated to develop a comprehensive anti-crime and counter-terrorism CCTV security system that will enhance the preparedness, detection, and prevention of the twin threats of crime and terrorism. SPF is committing up to $5 million to a joint collaboration with Town Councils to deploy mobile CCTV systems at common public areas of HDB blocks to tackle crime concerns and localised residential problems. SPF will be working with National Security Co-ordination Secretariat (NSCS) on the remaining requirements.

$12 million will be used to procure the Police Tactical Troop vehicles to enhance Police’s operational capabilities in dealing with emerging public order and security threats.

$11 million will be set aside for the building and infrastructure enhancement in support of the Gurkha Contingent.

$2 million will be used to set up the Police MRT Unit to enhance the overall security of essential public transport systems.

Singapore Civil Defence Force

$39 million will be used for the construction of new Civil Defence public shelters in MRT stations along the Circle Line, as well as for the maintenance of existing public shelters around Singapore.

$6 million will be set aside for the National Service Personnel Administration and Management System (NSPAM), which integrates the administration and management of Full-time National Service personnel (NSF) and National Service personnel (NSmen) in SPF and SCDF into a single system through innovative process re-design and advanced technology.

Prisons Department

$65 million will be allocated for the Redevelopment of Changi Prison Complex (CPC). This centralisation of all Prison institutions will allow Singapore Prison Service to streamline operations, optimise the use of manpower through re-engineering of work processes, and release valuable land parcels currently occupied by various Prisons institutions for national redevelopment.

$10 million will be used to fund the Halfway Houses (HWH) scheme. The scheme places selected inmates with existing drug addiction problems in HWH that conduct rehabilitation programmes. This scheme aims to help inmates who have no family support, no homes to return to, or whose family environments are not conducive for their recovery from drug addiction.

$7 million will be used to fund the Expanded Home Detention scheme. Suitable inmates would be allowed to serve the tail end of their sentence at their residence. These inmates are tagged with an electronic monitoring device to ensure that they observe the curfew conditions imposed on them. Counselling sessions are also conducted to help them deal with recovery issues and achieve successful reintegration with their families, friends and the community.

$1 million will be set aside for the Yellow Ribbon Project to enhance the reintegration of ex-offenders into the community following the success and momentum built up in FY05. Activities like the Yellow Ribbon Walk and Job Fair would be organised to create awareness on giving second chances to ex-offenders, generate acceptance of ex-offenders and their families into the community, and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders. This project aims to create societal acceptance of ex-offenders, thereby creating a more tolerant and attractive society to live in.

Central Narcotics Bureau

$15 million will be set aside to enhance intelligence gathering and enforcement at the various checkpoints.

$3 million will be set aside to carry out preventive education activities.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

$218 million will be allocated to safeguard the security of Singapore’s borders through administering and ensuring that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through our checkpoints are legitimate and lawful. A substantial amount of the budget will be used on enhancing checkpoint screening and scanning capabilities, with the deployment of additional specialised equipment and system for detection of illegal immigrants, undesirable cargo, and conveyances. ICA will also be spending on curtailing immigration offenders and problems, with stepped-up enforcement efforts and use of biometric technology. Examples of such efforts include the deployment of additional radiographic scanners at checkpoints, the construction of a ‘Cargo Screening System’, the development of the ‘Biometrics Identification of Motorbikes System’ (BIKES) which involves the use of biometric technology for screening motorcyclists at land checkpoints, etc. The BIKES project will reduce the clearance time for motorcyclists as well as minimise the number of motorcyclists who would be wrongly rejected by the system.

$93 million will be set aside to facilitate the provision of immigration and registration facilities such as issuance of travel and identification documents, birth or death registration, processing and granting of Permanent Residence, Citizenship status, etc. A portion of the budget will be used on developing the ‘Central Identification & Registration Information System’, which aims to improve operational efficiency and electronic services delivery at our Services Centres. ICA will also be spending on the development of the new ‘Biometric Passport System’ to facilitate the issuance of the new Singapore biometric passport. This will have its security features enhanced with biometric identifiers, consisting of facial and fingerprint images of the travellers, and allow Singapore Citizens to enjoy visa-free privilege to USA.