Since 2000, Police NSmen have helped keep festive crowds safe at one of Singapore’s most beloved cultural events.
When Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the Geylang Serai Hari Raya Light-Up on 25 February 2025, he also took the time to meet a special group of officers — the Police National Servicemen who planned and carried out security operations for the popular Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai.
The encounter underscored a major milestone: For 25 years, Police National Service (PNS) officers have diligently ensured the safety of thousands of visitors to the bazaar every Ramadan. With dense crowds expected nightly, these officers remain a visible yet unobtrusive presence — keeping the peace while letting the festivities shine.
FROM LEADING ONE TEAM TO OVERSEEING THE WHOLE OPERATION
By day, Deputy Superintendent of Police (NS) Mohd Haiqal Bin Mohamed Suhaimi is a fitness instructor. By night — during Ramadan — he is a familiar and reassuring presence at the bustling Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai, a role he’s taken on since 2014.
This year, he stepped up to lead the entire PNS deployment, having served as a Team Leader in 2024. “When I was a Team Leader, I was responsible for one team,” said DSP (NS) Haiqal. “At the recent operation, I was responsible for all the PNS officers, and also worked closely with regular officers on deployment planning.”
TRUST, TEAMWORK, AND TACTICS
Each year, over 100 PNS officers are recalled for the bazaar deployment. “It’s one of the few deployments fully managed by PNS officers and I’m very proud to be part of it,” shared DSP (NS) Haiqal.
Partnering him this year was Sergeant (NS) Haikel Azhar Bin Mohamed, one of the new faces on the ground. “Although I’ve been a PNS officer since 2014, this was my first bazaar deployment,” said the Senior Process Technician. “It was eye-opening — managing crowd flow and working closely with vendors and visitors.”
The duo made a strong team: one brought years of bazaar experience; the other, fresh perspectives. Both sharing an unwavering commitment to public safety. “Working with Haiqal has been great,” said Sgt (NS) Haikel. “He’s very hands-on and makes sure we have what we need to do our job effectively.”
Sgt (NS) Haikel also pointed out how much coordination happened behind the scenes. “From crowd control planning to emergency response readiness, we were constantly assessing the ground situation and adjusting to keep things running smoothly.”
Building rapport with vendors was also key to ensuring smooth operations. “We made it a point to engage with them regularly, understand their concerns, and offer assistance when needed,” said Sgt (NS) Haikel.
FAMILY SUPPORT BEHIND THE BADGE
The recent bazaar saw about 1,000 visitors each day. For officers like Sgt (NS) Haikel, serving during Ramadan meant juggling duty and family life. “My family was very supportive,” he said. “We made the most of the time we had together — whether it was having the pre-dawn meal before my shift or breaking fast together when we could.”
KEEPING TRADITIONS SAFE AND THRIVING
DSP (NS) Haiqal and Sgt (NS) Haikel are part of a legacy that has quietly safeguarded one of Singapore’s most treasured Ramadan traditions for a quarter of a century. “The most rewarding part was knowing that our presence contributed to a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone,” said Sgt (NS) Haikel.
Standing together as one, the dedication of PNS officers reflects the Home Team spirit — a spirit of service, resilience and quiet strength.
This article was adapted from this Police Life article.
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