Early Sunday morning (Dec 21), St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah went from peaceful prayers to full-on lockdown mode. Not exactly the kind of surprise anyone wants before breakfast.
At around 7.10am, police were called to the church along Upper Bukit Timah Road after a suspicious item was spotted within the compound. Naturally, things escalated fast. The church was evacuated. The area was secured. And yes, anti-terrorism laws were activated.
Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions or WhatsApp group panic mode, let’s slow it down and walk through what actually happened.
What triggered the alarm
When officers arrived, a 26-year-old man, later identified as a church volunteer, told police he had found a suspicious item inside a drain on church grounds. Instead of backing away like most of us would, he reportedly held onto the item and immobilised himself.
That detail alone raised red flags.
Because public safety always comes first, police immediately cordoned off the area. The Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive (CBRE) Defence Group was also activated. This isn’t overkill. This is Singapore doing what Singapore does best — not taking chances.
The big reveal: what was the “device”?
After thorough checks, the item was assessed at about 10.40am. It looked scary at first glance. However, it turned out to be three cardboard rolls and wires wrapped in black tape. No explosives. No active threat.
In other words, it looked like trouble but wasn’t actually dangerous.
Still, appearances matter. Especially in a place of worship. Especially in today’s climate.
The item was removed. No injuries were reported. Police operations wrapped up later in the afternoon, and the cordon was lifted around 5.10pm.
Why an arrest still happened
Even though the item was harmless, the man was arrested under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations. Investigations are ongoing.
This is the part some people might struggle with. “No bomb, why arrest?” Simple answer: intent, behaviour, and risk still count. You don’t need an explosion to create fear, disruption, or public danger.
Singapore doesn’t wait for things to go wrong. That’s kind of the whole point.
On the ground: confusion, patience, and calm vibes
Mass services for Sunday were cancelled. The church later confirmed that services would resume as usual from Monday.
By mid-morning, police and SCDF vehicles were visible inside the compound. Officers and church wardens stood guard at the entrance, redirecting the public away.
Some churchgoers were understandably confused. An elderly couple arrived early for the 7.30am mass, only to be evacuated before it began. They waited quietly, hoping to retrieve their car parked inside.
Others were turned away when they arrived for the 11.30am service.
His reaction? Not fear. Just surprise.
That’s Singaporeans for you. Calm first. Drama later. Maybe.
High-level attention and thorough checks
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, was seen entering the church compound around 10.47am. He later thanked the police, SAF CBRE Defence Group, SCDF, and church volunteers for their “quick, calm and resolute response”.
Meanwhile, officers were seen searching the grassy perimeter and nearby drains. An explosive ordnance disposal vehicle left the compound around 11am. Crime scene investigation vehicles stayed on until late afternoon.
Around 1.45pm, a handcuffed man in a blue shirt was led to the car park. A white car linked to the suspect was searched. Toolboxes and other items from the boot were examined. By 5pm, operations concluded and the gates closed.
My take: calm is strength, not complacency
Here’s my honest view. Some people will say this was overblown. Others will say the response was just right. I’m firmly in the second camp.
In Singapore, safety isn’t reactive. It’s proactive. We don’t wait for proof of danger before acting. We act first, then assess. That’s why serious incidents here remain rare.
Yes, the item turned out to be harmless. But fear spreads faster than facts. A suspicious object in a church is not a joke. It affects elderly worshippers, families, and public confidence.
Also, intent matters. Behaviour matters. Holding onto a suspicious item instead of reporting and backing away? That’s not normal. Asking questions later is fine. Securing the scene first is non-negotiable.
If anything, this incident shows why Singapore’s security approach works. Quiet efficiency. Minimal chaos. Maximum control.
No sirens-for-show. No media circus. Just professionals doing their job, then going home.
Places of worship should feel safe. Period. Incidents like this remind us that vigilance isn’t paranoia. It’s responsibility.
The good news? No one was hurt. The church is back to normal. And systems worked exactly as they should.
So yes, it was an unsettling Sunday morning. But it was also a reminder that calm, boring competence is actually a superpower.
And honestly? I’ll take that any day.
