War in Gaza raises terror alert in Singapore
The Singapore Internal Security Department (ISD), in its annual report entitled ‘Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2024’, warns that Islamic extremists have exploited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to extend their agenda in the city-state. The report: ‘Main threat factor continues to be online self-radicalisation’.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - In its security report released in recent days, Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) said that although there are no indications of an imminent attack, the terrorist threat in the city-state - which awaits Pope Francis' visit in September - remains high. Indeed, it has increased since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2024 states: ‘The conflict has generated emotional responses around the world, including acts of violence, and terrorist elements have leveraged the conflict to promote their agenda and have called for attacks.
Reactions that have also impacted the South-East Asian region. ‘There has been an increase in anti-Singapore rhetoric on social media by regional extremist elements,’ the paper continues. Some key observations cited state that Islamic terrorism remains at the forefront of the global terrorist threat landscape, particularly by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). ISIS has become a covert organisation. It is behind the prolonged insurgency in Iraq and Syria and maintains a global terror campaign. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda still poses a latent threat. The ISD report also states that in South-East Asia, ISIS remains the main threat actor. According to the report, attacks and foiled plots linked to or inspired by ISIS continue to occur in the region.
"In Singapore, the main threat actor continues to be online self-radicalisation. Fifty-two self-radicalised individuals (including 40 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners) have been dealt with under the Homeland Security Act since 2015. Youth radicalisation is of particular concern. Thirteen of the 52 were under the age of 20,' the report said. The ISD also said that since the last report released in July 2023, the department has dealt with three cases of self-radicalisation. Restraining orders were issued under the ISA: two were boys aged 14 and 16, the third involved a 33-year-old woman.
"The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas triggered the radicalisation of the 14-year-old boy and the 33-year-old woman. Far-right extremist ideologies radicalised the 16-year-old,' he continued. There is also a call to the population to be vigilant, stating that vigilance and preparedness are crucial to the defence of the country against terrorism. "The authorities will not always be able to neutralise plots before they materialise or identify radicalised individuals before they act. It is crucial that public opinion remains keenly alert to the possibility of a terrorist attack on the country, and that such an attack may be successful,' are the ISD's conclusions.
Singapore's Minister of Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, also said in June that Singapore is a major target for terrorists. He said the recent attacks and arrests in neighbouring Malaysia are a reminder of a potential threat and Singapore must remain on alert. "Our security is closely linked to that of Malaysia. Because of the proximity, what happens in Malaysia will have an impact on our security landscape,' Shanmugam said.
In May, a police station in Ulu Tiram, in the Malaysian state of Johor which borders Singapore, was attacked by a lone wolf who killed two policemen and injured another. The attacker was immediately killed by police bullets. Five members of the suspect's family have been remanded for trial under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). Last week, in Johor, a former teacher and a businessman were charged by the Johor Baru court with possessing material linked to the Islamic State terrorist group.
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