International Terrorism in Singapore

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Questions and Answers

What significant event related to international terrorism occurred in Singapore on 31 January 1974?

Terrorists took over a major hotel.

A ferry boat was hijacked by terrorists. (correct)

Local militants attacked government buildings.

A bomb was detonated at the airport.

Which location was targeted by terrorists before the hijacking incident on the ferry boat Laju?

Marina Bay Sands

Raffles Place

Sentosa Island

The Shell oil refinery on Pulau Bukom (correct)

What was the outcome of the negotiations with the hijackers?

The hostages were released without conditions.

The hijackers released the hostages for safe passage. (correct)

The terrorists demanded ransom from the government.

The terrorists were captured by authorities.

What was the primary motive of the terrorists during the 1974 incident in Singapore?

To disrupt the oil supply to South Vietnam. Signup and view all the answers

Which country were the terrorists attempting to reach after the hijacking?

Kuwait Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Indonesia's Konfrontasi policy?

Opposition to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia Signup and view all the answers

During the Konfrontasi period, which country was notably affected by bombings from Indonesian saboteurs?

Singapore Signup and view all the answers

What type of locations did Indonesian saboteurs initially target in Singapore?

Military facilities and public utilities Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key tactics used by Indonesian saboteurs during Konfrontasi?

Set off bombs in public places Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were involved in the fighting along the border during the Konfrontasi?

Indonesian, Malaysian, and Commonwealth forces Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for introducing National Service in Singapore?

To build a credible defence force Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Singapore implement National Service?

1967 Signup and view all the answers

How long is the full-time National Service duration for conscripted individuals?

Two years Signup and view all the answers

What are reservist duties in the context of National Service?

Occasional military training and readiness for emergencies Signup and view all the answers

What was the defense force established by National Service called?

Singapore Armed Forces Signup and view all the answers

What prompted Britain to announce its withdrawal from Singapore in 1967?

The need to focus on economic rebuilding at home. Signup and view all the answers

When was the British military withdrawal from Singapore completed?

1976 Signup and view all the answers

What was the state of Singapore's defense forces at the point of independence?

Practically undefended with minimal military resources. Signup and view all the answers

What major change in military strategy did Britain experience by the 1960s?

A decision to reduce military commitments due to economic limitations. Signup and view all the answers

How many battalions of regular infantry did Singapore have at the time of its independence?

2 battalions Signup and view all the answers

What challenge did many conscripted men face when joining the military?

Managing anxieties away from home Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the People Defence Force (PDF) in Singapore's defence strategy?

It was composed entirely of part-time volunteers. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key reason that first-generation national servicemen were willing to serve?

Genuine threats to Singapore's defence Signup and view all the answers

What kind of training did conscripted men undergo in military service?

Physically tough training Signup and view all the answers

How did National Service (NS) impact young men from less well-to-do families?

It delayed their entry into the workforce. Signup and view all the answers

How did families of conscripted men generally feel about their sons' enlistment?

Anxious about their wellbeing Signup and view all the answers

What was a common sentiment about military life before the introduction of National Service (NS)?

Few Singaporeans had experienced military life. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of military life did conscripted men have to adapt to?

A structured and disciplined lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

By the end of the 1970s, what components made up the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)?

An army, an air force, and a navy. Signup and view all the answers

What concern did families have regarding National Service for young men?

It would decrease household income temporarily. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of developing Singapore's defence industry?

To ensure self-sufficiency in defence supplies Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the first products produced by Chartered Industries of Singapore?

M16S1 rifle Signup and view all the answers

What strategy was adopted for training in the defence sector of Singapore?

Training engineers and scientists for local needs Signup and view all the answers

Which significant factor motivated the establishment of the Chartered Industries of Singapore?

To have a control over domestic defence production Signup and view all the answers

How did the establishment of local defence production impact the Singapore Armed Forces?

It made them less reliant on foreign supplies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

International Terrorism and Singapore's Response

First international terrorism incident in Singapore occurred on 31 January 1974 with the hijacking of the Laju ferry and hostages taken by foreign terrorists.
Prior attacks targeted the Shell oil refinery on Pulau Bukom to disrupt oil supply to South Vietnam.
Hostages were released after several days of negotiation for safe passage to Kuwait.

Building a Defence Force

National Service (NS) was introduced in 1967 as a necessary measure for establishing a credible Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) post-independence.
Thousands of men were conscripted for a minimum of two years, followed by reservist duties for military training and mobilization in emergencies.

Konfrontasi Period

Konfrontasi (Confrontation) was a policy of Indonesia against the formation of Malaysia from 1963 to 1966, involving military conflict along the Malaysian-Indonesian border.
Sabotage activities by Indonesia included 42 bombings in Singapore, initially targeting military sites but later moving to public areas to instill fear.

British Military Withdrawal

In the 1960s, the British government shifted focus from military presence in Asia due to economic constraints, announcing troop withdrawals starting in 1967.
By 1971, most British forces left Singapore, concluding in 1976, leaving Singapore virtually undefended with limited military resources at independence.

Development of the Singapore Armed Forces

By the late 1970s, the SAF expanded to include army, air force, and navy units, complemented by the People Defence Force (PDF) made up of part-time volunteers.
NS faced public apprehension as many young men worried about delayed career starts and financial strain on their families during their conscription.

Experiences of National Servicemen

Conscription brought significant lifestyle changes for young men, requiring adaptation to strict military discipline amidst homesickness.
Families also expressed concern for their sons' well-being during service, highlighting the personal sacrifices made in the name of national defense.

Establishing a Local Defence Industry

Defence Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee initiated the development of Singapore's defense industry, establishing Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) in 1967.
CIS was tasked with producing locally-made ammunition and weapons, including the M16S1 rifle, ensuring operational readiness even if foreign supplies were disrupted.
Singapore focused on training engineers and scientists to create technology tailored to national defense needs.

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Description

This quiz explores Singapore's first encounter with international terrorism, which occurred on January 31, 1974, involving the hijacking of the ferry boat Laju. Delve into the details of the incident, including the motivations behind the attacks and the outcome of the negotiations. Test your knowledge on this significant event in Singapore's history.