How to make public transport secure

The PTSC has developed a specific website, SafeJourney.SG, to educate commuters and raise their awareness about public transport security. Vigilant and prepared commuters can also act as the "eyes and ears" of the authorities by watching out for potential terrorist threats. People are made to periodically go through fire-fighting courses and drills to learn how to deal with emergencies and evacuate subways.

A common element of the bus fires in China is that the perpetrators are usually vulnerable members of disadvantaged groups. They usually blame society for their personal failure or family misfortune because of their perceived sense of social deprivation. So the government should also take measures to alleviate poverty and social tensions, which are the primary reasons for such incidents.

To enhance social harmony, the Singapore government started Feedback Unit and REACH (reaching everyone for active citizenry@home) to gather public feedback and monitor public sentiments. It initiated Our Singapore Conversation in 2012, a yearlong national communication campaign, to engage and consult citizens.

The Singapore government used more than 660 island-wide dialogue sessions with over 47,000 Singaporeans to understand the citizens' top priorities and aspirations, which it will use to conceive and adjust pertinent policies to meet their demands. Grassroots community groups and voluntary organizations also play pivotal roles in helping people in need through various channels and forms (for example, donation, care-giving and training).

Since these social security measures can help prevent people from resorting to violence to vent their anger, China could try and use them.

The author is a research fellow at Nanyang Centre for Public Administration, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.