Why Detentions Under the Internal Security Act are Not Publicised Immediately

Question:

Mr Leong Mun Wai: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs with regard to the arrests and detention of three men under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024 (a) why are these actions not made public immediately; and (b) whether future detentions under the ISA will be made public immediately and, if not, why not.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Internal Security Department publicises all cases dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) as soon as practicable. They are publicised after investigations have concluded and it is operationally appropriate to do so. Prematurely publicising such cases runs the risk of jeopardising ongoing investigations and operations. For example, individuals dealt with under the ISA for terrorism-related involvement, may be part of broader terrorist networks or cells or have terror-linked associates, who could bring forward attack plans or conceal their tracks if alerted to security actions. As part of investigations, there may also be a need to work with foreign intelligence and security counterparts to coordinate investigations and security actions against the foreign contacts linked to the individual.