S'pore to beef up security for Y2K

S'pore to beef up security for Y2K

SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore will boost its police force this year to face a possible increase in the number of illegal immigrants and a possible rise in crime caused by the Y2K computer bug, government-controlled television reported on Tuesday.

Minister of Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng said the crime outlook for 1999 was "not bright", and that a continuing onslaught of illegal immigrants could occur.

Also on Tuesday, Singapore's parliament was debating its proposed 1999/2000 budget, which allocates 32 percent of government spending to defense and security.

According to the proposal, the budget for domestic security would be increased by 15 percent, while the defense budget would increase by 0.1 percent.