Police set up a roadblock outside the Israeli embassy. Armed Gurkhas – elite Nepalese fighters who help maintain security across the region – are guarding Singapore’s American Club.

Last week, 14 Singaporeans and a Malaysian with links to Osama bin Laden were arrested for plotting to bomb military bases and embassies here.

The startling revelation has not only caused a security nightmare for this densely populated business hub but also threatens its social cohesion.

Of the 3.25 million Singaporeans, about 14 percent are Malay Muslims, most living a tolerant, progressive life with the other races.

The government wants to make sure non-Muslims don’t think otherwise.

That the detainees include Malay national servicemen (aged 18-21) is causing added concern.

In recent years, there have been charges – dismissed by the government – of the Singaporean military discriminating against Muslims.

It announced there are no plans to change regulations on Malay national servicemen.

Many people find it galling to see Singaporeans ready to respond to foreigners’ call to do harm to their own country and people.

The 15 suspects – some of them trained in al-Qaeda camps – were arrested after authorities found in their homes and offices detailed information on bomb-making and photographs and video footage of targeted buildings in Singapore.

Al-Qaeda linked materials, falsified passports and forged immigration stamps were also found, said a statement from the Home Affairs Ministry.

Malay representatives have assured the multiracial population that mosques and madrasahs (religious schools) in Singapore are not breeding grounds for terrorist elements.

And the Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs, Abdullah Tamugi, said in an interview that Muslim Singaporeans “should demonstrate that they are with other Singaporeans” regarding the arrests.

Tamugi, who is also Minister for Community Development and Sports, said they should show “they cannot support such (terrorist) activities.”

Non-Muslims, on the other hand, should not regard all Muslims as potential terrorists.

Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) assured Singaporeans that there was no danger of mosques and madrasahs being infiltrated by undesirable elements.

Despite these assurances, some non-Muslims may have emerged with a different perspective of their Muslim neighbours and colleagues.

In one Internet news group, the argument between the two sides became so heated that the moderator had to threaten to de-register two of the culprits, a Muslim and a non-Muslim, before some quiet returned.

Overall, the news was not bad. The majority of Singaporeans, including political parties and students, seem to realise the need to control emotions.

During the Nov 3 general election, for example, no one used race or religion to win votes.

In roll calls at schools, students were advised not to paint Osama as a hero or put Islam on the defensive.

In general, recession-battered Singaporeans of all races appeared to have taken the news without panic. In fact, the stock market promptly hit a six-month high and kept on rising.

People were shocked at being told the terror war was in their midst – not half a world away. They talked about it and went back to live their lives.

Some foreigners were surprised that Singapore, with its strict laws and harsh treatment of offenders, was chosen as a target.

One US correspondent said the city is small and tightly controlled, with the sprawling Internal Security Department keeping tabs on its citizens.

“It has long kept a tight rein on public statement and freedom of assembly. The government has wide powers to listen to the phone calls and read the email of citizens, and control the press.

“Intelligence agents keep a tight watch on political activity and discussion. Where is there space for terrorists to operate?” he asked. (The last terrorist act in Singapore happened 25 years ago when members of the Japanese Red Army briefly hijacked a ferry.)

“Besides, the large middle-class 450,000 Malays here do not make good radicals,” he added.

Azhar Steven, an American-Muslim who has lived in Singapore for 10 years, says: “Based on my experiences in the Muslim community here, if there are any Muslims that might be labelled extremists, they must be a very, very small group of people.”

The exigencies of an economic crisis recently pushed Malaysia and Singapore to kiss and make up. Now, the war against another common enemy – terrorists linked to al-Qaeda, like Chin Peng’s communist guerillas in the 60s – has raised cooperation between the two nations.

The security agencies of both countries obviously worked closely together to investigate the suspected radical Islamic groups before moving in to arrest them – one day apart.

It is a continuation of an old practice. Faced with a common threat, they cooperate better. Even in the worst of times, the police and several arms of the civil service, including income tax departments, had worked very closely for mutual benefit.

The two countries’ actions have dealt a significant blow to terrorism in the region and put a big dent to the terrorist plans to attack Americans. But the danger is far from over. Some Singapore operatives have fled the country and may return.

Defence Minister Dr Tony Tan told Singapore’s NewsRadio that the country was vulnerable to terrorism because of its close links with the US. Singapore recently opened a deepwater navy base, which was built to accommodate US aircraft carriers.

The island is home to a US Navy logistics unit and visited by almost 100 US naval ships a year.

American companies are among Singapore’s largest employers. An estimated 17,000 Americans live in Singapore. About 6,000 multinational companies – many of them American – have regional offices in this city.

Will this spell an end to the war on terrorism in Singapore? It depends on global developments.

If, as the Americans believe, the conflict may continue for 10 years or longer, Singapore will remain under focus. There’s a large economic dimension to fight: its future survival.

Seah Chiang Nee is a veteran journalist and editor of the information website littlespeck.com

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