The CEP's work touches closely on the state of racial and religious relations in Singapore. How solid is that ground?

The Ministry of Home Affairs' CEP 2009 Survey had some answers. It revealed that 74.4 per cent trusted fellow Singaporeans to help them if a terrorist attack occurred here, only 4.1 per cent disagreed and 21.5 per cent were neutral. A large proportion, 78.2 per cent, agreed that Singaporeans of all races and communities would stand united after a terrorist attack, 2.9 per cent disagreed and 18.9 per cent were neutral. A very large number, 86.7 per cent, thought that Singaporeans in general respected other races, 2.6 per cent disagreed and 10.7 per cent were neutral. Similarly, 84.9 per cent thought that Singaporeans in general respected other religions, 2.2 per cent disagreed and 12.9 per cent were neutral.

Along the same lines, in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts' National Security Awareness Survey 2009, 52.4 per cent said that they were mentally prepared to deal with the consequences of a terrorist attack; and 47.7 per cent said that they were aware of practical steps to take should such an attack occur near them.

Much has been achieved in terms of racial and religious harmony, but it is work in progress. In this context, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' CEP cluster engages racial, religious, volunteer welfare, and foreigner groups and their leaders to build up social resilience and psychological capacity to manage crises that have ethnic/religious overtones. The cluster adopted a three-phased approach at the inception of the CEP in October 2006, essentially to build relationships (Phase I), build capabilities (Phase II), and exercise crisis plans (Phase III). Phase I's objective was to identify appropriate leaders to be represented on suitable platforms; build relationships; and nurture a distinct identity for CEP platforms within the cluster and public awareness of their CEP efforts. It was largely completed by June 2007.