DSP (NS) Mark Ho Jiann Liang uses his expertise to keep key infrastructure and personnel safe.
TEXT: AUDRINA GAN
PHOTOGRAPHY: DARREN CHANG
Having worked as an investigation officer in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) during the 1990s and numerous security management roles, DSP (NS) Mark Ho Jiann Liang, 50, is certainly well versed in security matters.
But his expertise is not limited to local know-how. Prior to his current stint as the Asia Pacific Regional Security Manager in ExxonMobil, he was the energy company’s Global Security Intelligence Centre of Excellence manager back in 2009. “We monitored and analysed threat indicators that could threaten our personnel, company’s reputation and infrastructure,” he says.
Ho’s overseas posting taught him the importance of keeping abreast with new technological advancements and using good discretionary skills to gather reliable information. He also emphasises the importance of collaboration and information sharing when potential threats are detected.
As his work has exposed him to a wide variety of threats that arise due to weak enforcements and corrupt institutions, he says Singapore needs to remain vigilant on keeping its border safe. “If you do not stay vigilant, a transfer of illegal materials and personnel can lead to significant dire consequences,” says Ho, who helps to reinforce security at special events such as the National Day Parade and general elections during his time with Clementi Police Division as a reservist Commanding Officer of the Division Special Task Force. The Division Special Task Force also does anti-crime patrols during the school holidays at shopping malls.
“I always emphasise to my reservist officers that we need to play a role in enforcing security in our daily lives, as the security of Singapore is important and valuable to our country,” says Ho, who had previously provided feedback on the Cyber Security Bill draft as a member of the Cyber Security sub-committee.
He is a father of two teenage daughters and enjoys playing Chinese chess and training for distance running. “I derive deep satisfaction from completing marathons, and the training process has given me numerous life lessons and made me understand myself much better,” he says with a smile.
