MP Zhulkarnain seeks assurance on enhanced safety at places of worship after knife attack

SINGAPORE: In response to concerns raised following a recent knife attack at St. Joseph’s Church, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam outlined government efforts to enhance security and preparedness at places of worship. In a written reply to Parliament on 7 January, Minister Shanmugam highlighted the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's (MCCY) Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations (CPRO) programme. The statement came in response to a query from People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, regarding enhanced safety measures following a recent knife attack at a place of worship. Zhulkarnain asked whether increased awareness, training, and crisis response measures were being implemented to safeguard staff and volunteers across all places of worship in such emergency situations.

Knife Attack at St. Joseph’s Church

Concerns about safety at places of worship stem from a tragic incident that occurred on 9 November 2024 at St. Joseph’s Church on Upper Bukit Timah Road. At around 6.30pm, a 57-year-old priest, Father Christopher Lee, was stabbed during a children’s mass by a 37-year-old man armed with a foldable knife. The suspect, a Singaporean Sinhalese with a history of serious hurt offences and drug misuse, was apprehended shortly after the attack. Authorities discovered four additional weapons in his possession and confirmed that the attack was not religiously or terrorism-motivated. The assailant was charged with grievous hurt and could face up to 15 years in prison, along with fines or caning. He has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation. The head of the Catholic Church in Singapore, Cardinal William Goh, expressed sorrow and shock over the violence in a sacred space. He also highlighted concerns for the psychological impact on children and others who witnessed the attack. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong have both condemned the incident, reaffirming the importance of ensuring safety and peace in religious spaces.

Government's Efforts to Improve Worship Place Safety

Responding to Zhulkarnain’s queries, Minister Shanmugam detailed the government’s measures to ensure the safety and security of places of worship. He outlined a multifaceted approach involving the police, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and the SGSecure movement. Minister Shanmugam explained that the Police conduct patrols in areas with higher crime potential, based on public reports. Concurrently, MCCY supports places of worship through the Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations (CPRO) programme. Under this initiative, religious organisations conduct security self-assessments, develop contingency plans, and attend counter-terrorism seminars. Employees and volunteers also receive training in critical skills, such as psychological first aid. These efforts are complemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ broader SGSecure outreach. Public engagement initiatives include promoting emergency responses like “Run-Hide-Tell” and “Press-Tie-Tell” and emphasising the importance of learning first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Minister Shanmugam noted that after the knife attack at St Joseph’s Church in November 2024, MCCY and the police engaged places of worship to reinforce security advisories and implement appropriate measures. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing these programmes to ensure the safety and emergency preparedness of religious spaces. "We will continue with these measures and programmes to ensure safety and emergency preparedness at our places of worship," he wrote.