I.S. SUPPORTERS
Tweets praise attack
HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
ISLAMIC State (IS) supporters took to social media yesterday to celebrate the bomb blast at the end of a concert by American singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday.
The blast, which struck as 21,000 fans were leaving the concert venue, claimed the lives of at least 22 people and wounded more than 50 others.
The Daily Mail reported that two messages, posted by Twitter user @owys663 four hours before the attack, had “predicted” the bombing.
The first said: “Are (sic) you forget our threat? This is the just terror.”
The posting ends with hashtags Islamic State, Manchester Arena, UK and British.
In the second post, the same user posted a picture of an IS flag. Reuters reported that Twitter accounts affiliated with IS had
“We are definitely looking at tightening security,” Yogesh Mehta, project manager at IME Entertainment Group, said.
“All our events are licenced by the police. It is normally advised by the licencing department on what precautions to take, how many armed guards we need. So, we work closely with them.”
Singapore, which will host a security summit between June 2 and 4, bringing together Asia-Pacific defence and military chiefs, made amendments to the Public Order Act last month.
It requires event organisers to notify the police a month beforehand if they expect more than 5,000 people to attend.
Police may refuse to allow a public gathering if it has a direct political end or involves foreigners.
In Hong Kong, AsiaWorld Expo, where Ariana Grande is due to hold a concert in September, said it would improve security at all concerts and events.
Besides baggage inspection, there would also be metal detectors and search dogs, it said in a statement.
In Taipei, which will host the Summer Universiade sports event in August, officials said they already had the highest levels of readiness.
“We will raise them even higher as appropriate in response to overseas terrorist attacks, such as the one in Manchester,” said Universiade spokesman Rony Yang.
In Melbourne, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s biggest sports arena, said it was reviewing procedures.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the government was working closely with other countries on strategy.
In Manila, SM investments Corp, whose Mall of Asia Arena will host Ariana Grande in August, said it would take all precautions.
“Our security is always stepped up, especially for big crowds like this,” said its investment relations chief, Corazon Guidote.
In Kolkata, the business hub for east India, police said the security drill for public gatherings would have to be reviewed. Reuters