SINGAPORE – As part of the SGSecure movement’s continued efforts to engage the community in safeguarding Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and creative company VML Singapore, is educating children on the topics of safety and security with the new storybook, “Ack! Furtropolis is under attack!”.
The storybook was officially unveiled by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, on April 11, 2025.
With the support from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), the storybook aims to nurture and equip young children with the knowledge, in an age-appropriate way, to recognise and respond effectively to potential signs of danger. Set in the fictional city of Furtropolis, the story illustrates how a potential attack unfolds, and more importantly, how the community comes together to foil the villain’s plot, emphasising the power of collective action.
In today’s complex security landscape, MHA has harnessed the power of storytelling to build vigilance, resilience, and empathy in our children. The book encourages children to stay alert, build community relationships, and talk to trusted adults if they feel unsafe or see something suspicious.
Nimesh Desai, Chief Executive Officer, VML Singapore, said: “We believe stories have the power to make complex issues understandable for young minds. Through this book, we’re giving children a safe space to learn, ask questions, and grow stronger.”
Commenting, Wilbur Sim, Director (SGSecure Programme Office, MHA) said, “The launch of this storybook represents a key milestone in our collective effort to nurture young minds and equip them with the important knowledge to protect themselves from danger.
The story features guided questions to prompt the children to reflect on their thoughts and feelings, while the activities at the end of the book help reinforce their understanding of the key concepts in a fun and engaging way.
CREDITS
VML Singapore
Mateusz Mroszczak, Chief Creative Officer
Gerald Chue, Group Creative Director
Gelo Lico, Associate Creative Director
Ee Min Goh, Junior Art Director
JS Foo, Associate Strategy Director
Fred Eng, Business Director
Hazel Lim, Account Director
Liming Yu, Account Manager
Bernice Wong, Account Manager
Gisela Sim, Associate Project Director
llustration: Lab Six Five
Producer: Ben Qwek
PM: Alfonsus Wong
