Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Radicalisation of Foreign Domestic Workers by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he can give an update on the reported radicalisation of some foreign domestic workers in Singapore and what is the Ministry's approach on handling this issue as well as planned future interventions.

Answer:

1. In the past two years, seven foreign domestic workers in Singapore were found to have been radicalised through the internet.  They did not have plans to carry out acts of violence in Singapore at the time they were investigated.  However, their interactions with others showed that they had bought into radical ideologies and were on a dangerous path.  Their presence in Singapore posed a security concern. They were repatriated to their home countries.

2. Our security agencies will continue to monitor the situation closely and will investigate individuals in Singapore who are suspected of being radicalised, both foreign and local.  As part of the global counter-terrorism effort, our agencies actively share intelligence with foreign security partners to tackle this transnational threat.

3. The public must also play a part in protecting Singapore against the terrorism threat.  The public should promptly alert the authorities if they notice signs that someone is becoming radicalised.