Bomb threats received at 18 locations including government buildings; police say no items of security concern found

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was alerted to alleged bomb threats at 18 locations around the country on Wednesday morning (Aug 23), including government buildings, embassies and other places of interest.

After receiving the reports at about 9.10am, the police said they conducted security checks at the premises and found no items of security concern.

“The police are investigating into this case of communicating false information of a harmful thing under Section 268A of the Penal Code 1871,” said SPF. The offence carries a jail term of up to seven years, a maximum fine of S$50,000, or both. 

“The police are aware that similar reports of email bomb threats sent seemingly by the same person, had been received by the Republic of Korea recently, which had turned out to be a hoax,” SPF added. 

“The police take all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally communicate false information on bomb threats.”

The police were responding to CNA’s queries after the Environment Building, which houses the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and its statutory boards the National Environment Agency (NEA) and water agency PUB, was placed on lockdown due to a “security situation”.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu wrote on Facebook that she received news while overseas about a “security situation” at the building at 40 Scotts Road.

“Police had worked with security officers on premises for preliminary checks and no threat items were found,” she said at about 1pm.

In a subsequent update, MSE confirmed that NEA and PUB had received a bomb threat related to the Environment Building. Preliminary checks were done by police 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,” added the ministry.