By Li Xueying, Political Correspondent

SINGAPORE could see more law and order problems such as illegal immigration, smuggling and petty crime this year, as recession bites deeper and people become desperate.

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said the Home Team is preparing for such an eventuality by beefing up its numbers and stepping up vigilance.

While tackling such problems on the ground, the ministry will also have its hands full on two other fronts: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November, and the integrated resorts (IRs) which are due to open in stages from this year.

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