www.todayonline.com Open in urlscan Pro
23.76.236.162  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

POST /singapore/pm-lee-launches-new-home-team-science-and-tech-agency

<form class="subscription-form-1" data-drupal-selector="subscription-form-1" action="/singapore/pm-lee-launches-new-home-team-science-and-tech-agency" method="post" id="subscription-form-1" accept-charset="UTF-8">
  <input data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-shortcode" type="hidden" name="newsletter_shortcode" value="TDY_Partners" class="form-item__textfield">
  <div class="subscribe-form-wrapper">
    <div class="js-form-item form-item">
      <input placeholder="Enter your email address" data-drupal-selector="edit-email" type="text" id="edit-email" name="email" value="" size="60" maxlength="128" class="form-text form-item__textfield">
    </div>
    <input data-drupal-selector="edit-subscription-div-identifier" type="hidden" name="subscription_div_identifier" value="subscription_form__3341" class="form-item__textfield">
    <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-ekh-s8nbn3zjaxbskd2rbcdtp0ix6py2qh6mhcvmg3c" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-EKH-S8Nbn3zJAxBSKD2rBcdtP0iX6Py2QH6MHCvMg3c" class="form-item__textfield">
    <input data-drupal-selector="edit-subscription-form-1" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="subscription_form_1" class="form-item__textfield">
    <div class="submit-wrapper"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" data-disable-refocus="true" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Subscribe" class="button js-form-submit form-submit form-item__textfield" data-once="drupal-ajax">
    </div>
  </div>
  <div id="form-error-subscription_form__3341" class="inline-error"></div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to main content
 * Sign In
 * My Account
 * Search

Hamburger Menu Close
 * Singapore
   
 * World
   
 * Big Read
   
 * Adulting 101
   
 * Gen Y Speaks
   
 * Gen Z Speaks
   
 * Voices
   
 * Commentary
   
 * 8 Days
   
 * More
   
   * Health
     
   * Watch
     
   * Brand Spotlight
     

Singapore

PM LEE LAUNCHES NEW HOME TEAM SCIENCE AND TECH AGENCY

Bookmark Bookmark Share
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn


ADVERTISEMENT










ADVERTISEMENT










PM LEE LAUNCHES NEW HOME TEAM SCIENCE AND TECH AGENCY

SINGAPORE — A new Home Team agency that develops cutting-edge technology to keep
Singapore safe was officially launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
Monday (Dec 2).

CNA

Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong watching a demonstration on an advanced
fingerprint testing technique being developed by the new Home Team Science and
Technology Agency.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok, and join our Telegram channel for the latest
updates.
Published December 2, 2019
Updated December 2, 2019
Bookmark Bookmark Share
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn


SINGAPORE — A new Home Team agency that develops cutting-edge technology to keep
Singapore safe was officially launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
Monday (Dec 2).

Mr Lee said he looks forward to the Home Team Science and Technology Agency
(HTX) becoming the leading science and technology agency for homeland security
and a force multiplier for Singapore.


ADVERTISEMENT





Some technologies it is developing include advanced fingerprint testing that
determines more than identity, life-saving robotic dogs and a mobile
counter-drone vehicle.

“HTX will help take the Home Team to the next level,” Mr Lee said at the launch
event on Monday.

He pointed out that HTX has an “ambitious mandate” to conduct research in areas
like biometrics and robotics, bring together capabilities from different Home
Team departments, and build partnerships with external players.

But to achieve this, Mr Lee said HTX has to overcome two challenges: Attract top
engineering talent and produce solutions that serve real operational needs.

ATTRACTING TALENT


ADVERTISEMENT





While Mr Lee said HTX as a statutory board will have more flexibility to hire,
develop and reward staff, he cautioned that attracting top engineering talent is
not easy.

He said HTX plans to expand to around 2,000 officers. It currently has 1,300
staff.

“To attract top tier talent, they must feel there is something worthwhile that
they can achieve,” he said.

“So we are structuring engineering jobs and responsibilities to enable engineers
to do valuable work and make an impact in the public service.”

Mr Lee said this is something HTX can offer, especially as it aims to protect
lives and property, maintain law and order, and safeguard Singapore thriving the
use of science and technology.


ADVERTISEMENT





“It’s a noble cause which I hope will inspire our STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) talent to join HTX,” he added.

BEING ON THE GROUND

Beyond that, Mr Lee said HTX must maintain “ops-tech interface” with ground
operations, adding that its officers must walk the ground and talk with
uniformed counterparts to understand their operating conditions and needs.

He said he is glad that HTX will deploy some of its officers in the Home Team
departments alongside uniformed officers.

For instance, HTX forensic analysts will comb crime scenes to gather evidence,
while its engineers will be stationed at major security deployments.


ADVERTISEMENT





“This will provide you with the frontline experience and feedback, to help you
stay attuned to the operational tempo of the Home Team, and equip you to build
solutions to meet their needs,” Mr Lee said.

Likewise, Mr Lee said the entire Home Team must see technology as integral to
operations – even if it disrupts existing routines – for HTX to succeed.

The use of tech must not be an “add-on, not as something exotic, not something
to be left to HTX, or to the techies or boffins, to manage on their own”, he
said.

Mr Lee said the Home Team has made progress in the last decade or so, by
developing forensics capabilities, trialling unmanned surface vessels to patrol
waters and automating immigration clearance at checkpoints.

“Beyond the Home Team, HTX can be a centre of excellence within Government,
sharing your experiences and solutions with other agencies that have similar
needs, for instance in enforcement or regulatory work,” he said.

WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT EFFORT

Mr Lee said the entire Government is making an effort to hold tech capabilities,
use resources more efficiently and recruit high-calibre officers who can provide
technical solutions for operational requirements.

“We must understand technology intimately, have a good feel of its possibilities
and limitations, and be able to make judgments which take full account of
engineering possibilities and also operational requirements,” he added.

“And for some of our most vital and sensitive projects like those in the Home
Team, we must be able to build the tech solutions ourselves – solutions which
are on par with, if not better than, what our partners and vendors can do.” CNA

For more stories like this, visit cna.asia. 


RELATED TOPICS

Lee Hsien Loong Technology defence security

Read more of the latest in

Singapore Explore now


ADVERTISEMENT






POPULAR

TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER ACCIDENT WITH CAR ON BKE

'I USED TO WORK IN A SUIT AND TIE, NOW I WASH DISHES,' SAYS HOTEL MANAGER TURNED
CUTTLEFISH BEE HOON HAWKER

MAN, 35, SENTENCED TO OVER 7 MONTHS' JAIL FOR RECEIVING SEXUAL ACT FROM
UNDERAGED GIRL

MAN AND DAUGHTER GET JAIL FOR PAYING S$400,000 IN BRIBES TO KEEP LUCRATIVE
CONTRACTS FOR FAMILY TRANSPORT FIRM

Recommended by




ADVERTISEMENT






STAY IN THE KNOW. ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight
to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY
newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.


READ THE FULL STORY

Fetching more news

RECENT SEARCHES



 * Singapore
   
 * Commentary
   
 * World
   
 * Voices
   
 * Big Read
   
 * Watch
   
 * Gen Y Speaks
   
 * Brand Spotlight
   
 * Adulting 101
   
 * 8 Days
   

 * About TODAY
   
 * Coupons
   
 * Journalists
   
 * Advertise With Us
   
 * About Mediacorp
   
 * Contact Us
   
 * Mediacorp Digital Network
   
 * Privacy Policy
   
 * Mediacorp Terms and Conditions of Use
   

CONNECT WITH US

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Youtube
 * LinkedIn
 * Instagram
 * Telegram
 * TikTok

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

 * Google Play
 * App Store
 * App Gallery

Copyright 2023 © Mediacorp Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

Official Domain | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy








THIS BROWSER IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED

We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with TODAY
to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.

To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience,
download the mobile app.



Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us



✓
Thanks for sharing!
AddToAny
More…