Terrorism

SINGAPORE - Terror suspects in Singapore detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) undergo a rehabilitation process which involves religious, psychological and social aspects. The approach is a "holistic, intensive and long-term one", the Internal Security Department (ISD) said in a media statement on Wednesday (Feb 3). The statement was the first time the ISD disclosed in detail how terror suspects are handled. It came a week after the department revealed that a 16-year-old Protestant Christian youth had been detained under the ISA in December for planning terrorist attacks on two mosques. Each rehabilitation programme is customised to a detainee or Restriction Order (RO) supervisee's unique circumstances, with extensive collaboration between the various rehabilitation stakeholders to maximise the chances of successful rehabilitation for the individuals, said the ISD. "ISD realised early on that we cannot rely on kinetic approaches alone to tackle the terrorism threat ... » Learn More about ISD details terror suspects’ rehabilitation for first time

SINGAPORE - The Internal Security Department (ISD) is adjusting its approach to rehabilitation as those it has detained or dealt with for terror-linked activity get younger. While addressing the extremist ideology that influences these young people remains a priority, additional attention is being paid to non-ideological factors that led to their radicalisation, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 3). These include their sense of belonging and identity, critical thinking skills to discern radical rhetoric online, and mental resilience to cope with sources of stress, it said in an update on Singapore's efforts to rehabilitate terror detainees. The ISD noted that since 2015, seven of the 53 people it had picked up for terror-related conduct were aged between 16 and 19. Last week, it announced the detention of a 16-year-old student radicalised by far-right ideology who made plans to kill worshippers at two mosques - Singapore's youngest detainee under the Internal ... » Learn More about ISD adjusts its approach to rehabilitation as those dealt with for terror-linked conduct get younger

The Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and 25 others to jail for their role in street rallies to oust the elected government led by Yingluck Shinawatra. The court jailed former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep for five years. Twenty-five other members of the movement were also found guilty in a ruling that took six hours for the court to read. Other key PDRC leaders were given jail sentences as follows: Buddhipongse Punnakanta – seven years Nataphol Teepsuwan – seven years and four months Thaworn Senneam – five years Issara Somchai – eight years and four months Suwit Thongprasert, formerly Buddha Isra – four years and eight months Chumpol Julsai – 11 years Suriyasai Katasila – two years. Jail terms were not suspended “Today several key PDRC members were sentenced to jail for multiple years. However, our principles remain unchanged on serving the religion and monarchy,” Mr Suthep ... » Learn More about Suthep Thaugsuban Jailed for Terrorism, Insurrection Over Street Rallies

The Supreme Court on Monday canceled the resumption on Tuesday of oral arguments on the 37 petitions contesting the terror law after some magistrates went into isolation as a precaution against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Clerk of court Edgar Aricheta said the fourth day of the court proceedings on the pleadings challenging the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, was moved to March 2 at 2:30 p.m. A court insider said the regular weekly full-court session of the high tribunal on Tuesday had also been reset. It was not clear if one of the 15 justices or their staffers had tested positive for the new coronavirus or were exposed to people who had contracted the virus. INQ ... » Learn More about SC resets oral arguments on terror law

SINGAPORE - While many of his peers were online to chat with friends or do research for homework, Daniel (not his real name) in 2017 was using the Internet for a sinister purpose. Only 15 years old then, he was already walking down the dark path of radicalisation - aligning himself to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group, which was spreading its propaganda through online channels. In September that year, he posted on social media images of President Halimah Yacob that he had defaced, and called on ISIS to behead her. It triggered an investigation by the Internal Security Department (ISD). The department learnt that the boy was introduced to pro-ISIS social media groups by a foreign online contact. Through these groups, he gained access to what he believed was exclusive ISIS content. It gave him a surge of confidence which boosted his self-esteem and sense of belonging. Recounting the case on Wednesday (Feb 3) in a release, the ISD said Daniel became ... » Learn More about Self-radicalised youth went from ISIS supporter to star student with rehabilitation: ISD

SINGAPORE - Marine operations executive Shio Kumar thought little of his children's activities on the Internet until news broke that a 16-year-old had planned to carry out terror attacks here after being radicalised online. The father of five - aged three to 24 - said his children had free access to devices but now questions the decision. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply. ... » Learn More about Singapore’s teen ISA case: Is the Internet to blame for youth self-radicalisation?

SINGAPORE - The threat of online radicalisation continues to loom large, and with young people especially at risk, Singapore has to step up its efforts to keep the peace in society, said religious leaders and observers. They were responding on Wednesday (Jan 27) to news of a Singaporean Christian plotting to attack Muslims at two mosques. The 16-year-old is the youngest to be held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for terrorism thus far, and the first detainee to be influenced by far-right extremist ideology. He was specifically influenced by Australian Brenton Tarrant, who slaughtered 50 mosque-goers in Christchurch in 2019. In a statement condemning all acts of terror and violence as having no place in any religion, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) warned that the pervasive nature of social media posed the risk of extremist ideologies seeping into homes. "We are grateful that in Singapore, we have close bonds of friendship and trust among faith ... » Learn More about Religious leaders urge Singaporeans to join forces to battle online radicalisation of young people

SINGAPORE - A 16-year-old Singaporean student has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning to attack two mosques and kill worshippers in Singapore on March 15 this year - the second anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. A Protestant Christian of Indian ethnicity, he is the first detainee to be influenced by far-right extremist ideology and the youngest person detained under the ISA for terrorism-related activities to date, said the Internal Security Department (ISD) on Wednesday (Jan 27). The Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) student was found to have made detailed plans and preparations to conduct terrorist attacks using a machete against Muslims at two mosques here, the ISD said. He had chosen Assyafaah Mosque in Sembawang - which he intended to attack first - and Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands as his targets because they were near his home, it added. Influenced by the Christchurch attacker Brenton Tarrant , the youth had mapped out his ... » Learn More about 16-year-old Singaporean detained under ISA for planning terrorist attacks on two mosques

SINGAPORE - Places of worship should not be turned into fortresses but remain welcoming and open, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said on Thursday (Jan 28) as he called on the wider community to instead counter radical ideologies by educating young people against far-right extremism. Speaking to the media after a meeting between Christian and Muslim leaders at the Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands , the minister responded to a suggestion that religious groups here beef up security at locations where worshippers gather. "You go to a place of worship, you are approaching with a spiritual mindset. You are going there because you want spirituality or you have problems or in some way you want a conversation with a higher being," said Mr Shanmugam. "If we started turning places of worship into fortresses, how welcoming is that going to be? And is it really going to be effective anyway? I think we have to have a sense of balance here." While those in charge of places of ... » Learn More about Religious institutions should remain welcoming and open, not turn into ‘fortresses’: Shanmugam

SINGAPORE - The rehabilitation of the 16-year old student influenced by far-right ideology will draw on best practices gained in steering previous youth terror detainees away from extremism, the Internal Security Department(ISD) has said. This includes facilitating his studies - in consultation with his parents and former school - while he is in detention, and getting tutors to help him prepare for his national exams this year. A mentor has also been identified for him, the ISD said on Wednesday (Feb 3). In addition, the department is working with the National Council of Churches of Singapore, which is keen to be involved in the youth's rehabilitation, to identify a suitable Christian counsellor for him. An ISD spokesman gave this update on the student in a statement, a week after his detention was announced. The Protestant Christian student had made plans to kill Muslims at two mosques on March 15, the anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack. Home Affairs and Law ... » Learn More about Rehabilitation of 16-year-old who planned to attack mosques in S’pore will draw on past cases: ISD