Game show in S'pore antiterrorism plan

Game show in S'pore antiterrorism plan

Associated Press, Singapore

Refrigerator magnets, a media blitz and even a game show are part of the Singapore government's new all-out new campaign to prepare its people for a potential terror attack.

One Singaporean will be crowned the island's "Total Defense King" in a game show testing citizens' knowledge of how to be alert for possible terror dangers, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday.

Singapore is tackling a more serious theme with its new "Total Defense" campaign than other mass drives, such as to keep public toilets clean and stop spitting.

Home affairs minister Wong Kan Seng warned on Friday that the country, already on high alert against terror attacks, must prepare "to cope with the consequences if bombs do go off."

As part of the new Total Defense or "TD" campaign, "Singaporeans can test their knowledge on total defense by participating in Who Wants To Be a TD King, along the lines of the popular game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," the defense ministry statement said.

"Refrigerator magnets with emergency numbers will also be distributed," the statement said.

Broadcasters will air briefings on how citizens can "protect themselves at home in the event of a chemical attack," and what to do if they notice anything suspicious, the statement said.

The new campaign also involves youth camps, and "refrigerator magnets with emergency numbers will also be distributed," the statement said.

A local theater company will tour schools and libraries, staging a drama on the need to be prepared for emergencies.