Man to be charged with financing of terrorism

1. A 23-year-old Myanmar National and Singapore Permanent Resident will be charged in court on 29 July 2026 for providing money for terrorist purposes, an offence under Section 4(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act 2002.

2. The Internal Security Department (“ISD”) initiated investigations against the accused after his extremist postings came to the authorities’ attention. ISD’s investigations found that the accused was radicalised after consuming extremist content online. In 2024, he developed a strong hatred towards Muslims after being exposed to Islamophobic content online in the wake of HAMAS’s 7 October 2023 attacks against Israel and subscribed to an extremist interpretation of Zionism, believing that the killing of Palestinian Muslims was justified on the basis that the biblical Holy Land belonged exclusively to the Jewish people. By early 2025, the accused also developed a strong hatred towards Jews after consuming far-right extremist and anti-Semitic narratives on social media. He began making online postings expressing support for the use of violence against Jews and Muslims, as well as other groups typically targeted by far-right extremists, such as immigrants to Europe and the LGBT community.

3. ISD’s investigations also revealed that, in August 2024, the accused transferred funds to an overseas-based user with whom he was in contact on the platform “X”. The user claimed to be soliciting donations online to purchase military equipment, which he believed was for the purpose of facilitating a terrorist act in Gaza City aimed at eradicating all Palestinians, including civilians. Given that there were potential terrorism financing offences, ISD referred the accused to the Commercial Affairs Department (“CAD”) for investigations.

4. A parallel investigation by the CAD found that the accused transferred US$72.28 and attempted to transfer an additional US$1 to PayPal accounts designated by the “X” user, to facilitate terrorist acts in Gaza City.

5. Providing money in support of terrorist purposes (regardless of the amount) is a serious offence under the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act 2002. It is punishable with a fine not exceeding S$500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or to both.

6. Terrorism and terrorist financing are grave threats to domestic and international security, and global action is required to deprive terrorist groups of funding and materials. Singapore is part of this global effort and is strongly committed to combatting terrorist financing, regardless of whether the monies are used to facilitate terrorist acts locally or abroad. We do not condone and will take firm action against individuals using Singapore as a base to conduct or support terrorist activities, whether locally or overseas. Likewise, we will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone who supports, promotes, undertakes, or makes preparations for armed violence, regardless of how they rationalise such ideologies or where the violence takes place.

7. Members of the public are reminded not to remit money of any amount, or provide any support through the provision of services, supplies or any material to a terrorist organisation, or for facilitating or carrying out any terrorist act. Anyone with information on such activities should inform the authorities promptly.