The genesis for SID is very poor unlike ISD which had continuity well before the war. External security was undertaken by the British and locals were not involved. The legendary chief of MI6 Maurice Oldfield known affectionately as "C" was at one time based in Singapore and the first MI6 /CIA relationship first blossomed here and not in the West.
Then as part of the Federation, the Malaysians ran the show until 1965. From 1965 till the 80s, it was a hotchpotch of SAF men, retired Police Officers and a bunch of analysts. They also had the ignominy of having a British double agent in their senior ranks which upset and embarrassed the old man. So you good Bob Theseira and company running the show but more on Police style. Nathan was part of this as well.
Then Eddie, former Head of Civil Service and now Chairman of PSC as a young President scholar started to rise up the ranks and moulded it. Not in the British or American model but a more subdued local model with heavy focus on analytics. Not by choice but by the lack of depth in running an active overseas clandestine operation. There was also heavy reliance on the Americans.
The 3 main countries of concern for Singapore are Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. So there is presence in these countries. They also operate in countries where these 3 countries have embassies and high commissions and their nationals working there are targets for compromise.
The analysis is mainly on the political leaders - background, inclinations even health etc. the economy, military etc.
Singapore under PAP has evolved into cost efficient culture and SID has also the same ethos. So they now train and use journalist from SPH, CNA etc to work for them. It was only recently that PRC arrested an SPH journalist for spying and jailed him. Journalists with press passes have access to many places so naturally they are used.
We don't seem to be good as the Malaysians seem to be identifying these guys and banning them from entry. Indonesians can't be bothered and Thais are nice.
The main intention behind all these activity is put together a first class profile of their leaders and how they will react in a crisis involving Singapore. Who will blink and who will press the button. It trying to play poker with an advantage.
The closest we came to a crisis with the Malaysians was over the new checkpoint in JB. Army unit were activated. Our Gold reserves with Gurkhas sitting top of lorries laden with it was taken out from Robinson Road and sent to Brunei. Those who was working in Robinson Road would have heard the sirens as it went on for days.
So SID is CIA equivalent (more or less).......then where do they train? Got a Langley equivalent? So are most of them trained killers recruited from the special forces?