Update on Cases Under the Internal Security Act - 9 February

Arrest of Radicalised Malaysian

1. Mohd Firdaus bin Kamal Intdzam (Firdaus), a 33-year-old Malaysian, was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in July 2020. Investigations revealed that Firdaus, who was working as a cleaner in Singapore, was a supporter of the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

2. Firdaus’ path to radicalisation began in 2016 when he turned to the Internet to deepen his religious knowledge and encountered ISIS propaganda online. Through sustained exposure to pro-ISIS materials, Firdaus was convinced by early 2018 that ISIS was fighting for Islam, and that its use of violence to create an Islamic caliphate was justified. He also regarded ISIS’s self-declared Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (deceased) as the true Islamic ruler. Even with the demise of ISIS’s so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq, Firdaus remained a fervent supporter of ISIS. He actively posted materials promoting ISIS and armed jihad on his social media accounts. He even created an ISIS flag in March 2020, which he hung at home to show his loyalty towards the group.

3. Firdaus believed that armed jihad was compulsory for all able-bodied Muslim men. He harboured the intention to travel to Syria with his wife to fight alongside ISIS. He aspired to die as a martyr in the battlefield so as to receive divine rewards. He was also willing to carry out attacks against countries which he deemed to be oppressing Muslims, or which he perceived to be munafiq (hypocrite) for aligning themselves with the West.

4. Investigations did not surface any indication that Firdaus had made any specific attack plans, or intended to mount any acts of violence in Singapore. ISD had worked closely with the Malaysian Special Branch (MSB) on the investigations into Firdaus. His Work Pass was cancelled and he was repatriated to Malaysia and handed over to MSB in August 2020 upon the completion of ISD’s investigation into him.

Restriction Order against Singaporean Ruqayyah binti Ramli

5. Ruqayyah binti Ramli (Ruqayyah; Singaporean; aged 34), a housewife and part-time freelance religious teacher, is the wife of Firdaus. She was issued with a Restriction Order (RO)[1] under the ISA for a period of two years in August 2020 after investigations found that she had been radicalised by her husband.

6. Following their marriage in December 2018, Firdaus started to influence Ruqayyah with his pro-ISIS views. While Ruqayyah initially had doubts, over time, she began to believe that ISIS’s use of violence against perceived oppressors of Islam, including non-Muslims and Shi’ites, was justified.   Ruqayyah also supported Firdaus’ intentions to join ISIS and take up arms in Syria. She was willing to accompany him to Syria, and intended to bring her two children along. She believed that her role in the conflict zone would be to take care of the family (through cooking and housework), and to assist other wounded ISIS fighters.

7. Investigations did not surface any indication that Ruqayyah had attempted to spread her pro-ISIS views to others. Ruqayyah’s Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) accreditation, obtained in September 2017, has been suspended. She is not allowed to conduct religious classes as part of her RO conditions. She is presently undergoing religious counselling to steer her away from her radical path.

Internal Security Department

9 February 2021

[1] A person issued with a Restriction Order (RO) must abide by several conditions and restrictions.  For example, the individual is not permitted to change his or her residence or employment, or travel out of Singapore, without the prior approval of the Director ISD.  The individual also cannot issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute, contribute to any publication, hold office in, or be a member of any organisation, association or group without the prior approval of Director ISD.