Additional Comments from MHA on Orders of Detention and Restriction Orders against Four Singaporeans

1. There is growing concern that ISIS propaganda has led to an increase in the rate of Singaporeans being radicalised. The first self-radicalised Singaporean was detained in 2007.  Between 2007 and 2014, five Singaporeans were detained and six were placed on Restriction Orders. However, between Jan 2015 till Aug 2016, eight Singaporeans have been detained and five others placed on Restriction Orders. Since 2002, 83 persons have been detained under the ISA for terrorism-related activities. 62 have been released.

2. ISIS' extremist rhetoric continues to radicalise scores across the globe and Singapore has not been immune to this problem.  ISIS indicated in the Nov 2014 edition of its online magazine Dabiq that it intended to set up wilayat (provinces under the ISIS caliphate) in Indonesia and the Philippines where militant groups have pledged allegiance to ISIS.

3. The Government takes a very serious view of any form of support for terrorism and will take firm and decisive action against any person who engages in any activity in support of terrorism. Anyone who knows of someone who is radicalised should quickly inform the authorities.  With timely intervention, that person could be saved. Every member of the public has a role to play in keeping Singapore safe from the threat of terrorism.

4. In the case of Mohamad Reiney bin Noor Mohd (Reiney), sound advice from a close relative helped to prevent him from going down the path of terrorism. Reiney is related to Dian Faezah binte Ismail (Dian) and Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi (Omar) through marriage.  Family involvement is not a new trend.  It was previously seen in the case of the Jemaah Islamiyah as well. However, there is no evidence at this point that Omar's children are radicalised.

5. There is also no indication that Rosli bin Hamzah (Rosli) is acquainted with Omar, Dian and Reiney. Only Rosli is known to frequent Batam to visit his Indonesian wife and children.  There is no information to suggest that Rosli is involved in the Batam plot to attack Singapore.

6. Dian was issued with a Restriction Order as the assessment was that she is not so radicalised to the extent that she poses an imminent security threat to Singapore.  The Restriction Order will subject her to strict supervision and she will be required to undergo religious counselling. While Dian is not the first female to be dealt with under the ISA, she is the first female to be issued with a Restriction Order for her involvement in jihadi terrorism-related activities.

7. Radio Hang is a Batam-based religious station which sometimes features speakers who preach extreme views. It can be accessed online and over the airwaves. The Government will block websites and radio stations, or remove online content that promote radical ideology, when it is deemed necessary.  More important, however, is to sensitise the public to the dangers of extremist rhetoric, and equip them with social media literacy so that they will not be vulnerable to terrorist propaganda. In this regard, our community and religious organisations have put in considerable effort to counter the radical ideology of ISIS and jihadist terrorists.

8. The Government will take action against persons who purvey extremist views, especially those which espouse violence or denigrate the beliefs of others.  Every member of the public has a responsibility not to engage in such activity, not to support others who do so, and to speak out against it.