With a straight-up brutal terrorist attack hitting close to home, Singapore has stepped up security measures and the such to ensure vigilance against the tragedy that struck central Jakarta yesterday.
Radical militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility over the attacks near the Sarinah shopping mall yesterday afternoon, with several bombings and a gunfight. Security forces ended the assault after three hours of fighting, leaving seven dead and twenty injured. Five of the dead were the attackers themselves, said to be Indonesian militants. A Canadian and an Indonesian were also killed.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his shock and dismay over the attacks, urging Singaporeans over there to register with the Embassy in Jakarta. He even wrote a letter of solidarity to President Joko Widodo yesterday: