Man, 40, to be charged in S'pore over fake bomb threats targeting Parliament House & HTX building

A 40-year-old man was arrested in Singapore for allegedly making reports of fake bomb threats to the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) building and the Parliament House.

On Jul. 3, HTX received an online form submission, which stated that a bomb had been placed in the HTX building.

On Jul. 7, the police received a report that an anonymous email was sent to the Prime Minister's Office, stating that a bomb had been placed at the Parliament House.

Upon receipt of the reports, the police conducted thorough checks of both premises, including a systematic sweep of the buildings and their surroundings.

No items of security concern were found.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Central Police Division subsequently established that the same individual made the two false bomb threats.

He was subsequently arrested on Jul. 7.

Several electronic devices believed to have been used to perpetrate the threats were seized from him as case exhibits.

The man will be charged on Jul. 9 with the offence of communicating false information of harmful thing under Section 268A of the Penal Code 1871.

The offence carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.

The police said it treats all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who causes public alarm with false threats.

They added that such acts can cause public anxiety and divert valuable public resources into investigations.