A 26-year-old man was arrested after a suspicious item was found in St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah.
In a statement on Facebook yesterday evening, the police yesterday said the man, who is a volunteer with the church, had said he had discovered a suspicious item in a drain within the church premises.
“Thereafter, he immobilised himself and held on to the suspicious item,” they said.
Following thorough checks, the item – which resembled an improvised explosive device – was found to be three cardboard rolls and wires taped with black tape with no explosive elements present.
It was subsequently removed from the scene by the police.
The man was later arrested under the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations for his suspected involvement in the incident.
The church had said that it will be closed for today and masses will resume on Dec 22.
A churchgoer said that the incident happened before the Chinese-language mass at 7.30am.
He said that someone had found an unattended bag.
The police had said in an update at around 11am that the item was harmless and that the situation was under control.
Commenting on the incident in a Facebook post, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said he was grateful to the Singapore Police Force, SAF CBRE and SCDF for their quick, calm and resolute response. He also thanked church volunteers for their efforts.
“Will wait for further updates from the police and the church leadership on reopening,” said the Foreign Minister and MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, where the church is located.
“Was glad to meet Father Christopher Lee this morning – a real pillar of calm leadership, as always.”
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said in a Facebook post that he was deeply concerned by the incident and relieved that the item was found to be harmless.
He said that all places of worship, whether churches, mosques, temples or others, must always remain safe spaces where congregants can pray and gather in peace, adding that any incident that threatens this sense of safety undermines the trust and harmony that bind Singaporeans together as a society. — The Straits Times/ANN
