20 years ago today, the horrific terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City changed the world forever.
The danger to us was nearer than we imagined. We discovered among us a terrorist group that was planning similar attacks on multiple targets here. Fortunately ISD acted in time to prevent this, and subsequent attacks.
The greater threat for multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore was not physical, but whether this would damage our social cohesion. We drew on the trust built up over many years among our different communities and with the Government. Working together, we overcame powerful forces unleashed by the extremist attacks that could have pulled us apart.
The fight against terrorism is far from over. Digital media has allowed extremist ideologies to spread and poison minds. At the same time, our racial harmony is still work in progress. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, let us resolve to fortify ourselves so that should we ever face another such test one day, we will come through again, stronger, as one united people.
You can read my full commentary (in four languages) here:
English: go.gov.sg/20th-anniversary-9-11
Malay: go.gov.sg/20th-anniversary-9-11-ml
Chinese: go.gov.sg/20th-anniversary-9-11-cl
Tamil: go.gov.sg/20th-anniversary-9-11-tl
– LHL
