SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that the riot in Little India is a good reminder to Singaporeans that even in a stable society, such incidents can still happen.

He added what is important is to have a Home Team that can deal with the situation in a calibrated, measured and decisive way.

Mr Lee was speaking to reporters today (Dec 24) after having breakfast with about 40 officers who were among the first responders to the scene of the riot.

Mr Lee thanked the officers for their courage and said he has a lot of respect for how they carried out their duties.

Asked if policy makers should think about a new social compact with foreign workers, beyond simply segregating them, Mr Lee said those are broader issues that should be dealt with only after the Committee of Inquiry releases its findings.

The first priority he said is to look into what caused the riot and to ensure something like that does not happen again.

Mr Lee added authorities are also looking at ways to strengthen the police force by beefing up resources and employing technology such as equipping officers with wearable cameras. CHANNEL NEWSASIA