Three self-radicalised Singaporean men were arrested by the Internal Security Department in October 2024, a year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. - ST
SINGAPORE: One was a 41-year-old director of a digital marketing company.Another was a 21-year-old lift mechanic, and the third was a 44-year-old security guard.
All three Singaporean men were arrested by the Internal Security Department (ISD) in October 2024, a year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023.
The men were affected by the war and had been self-radicalised online. They were determined to fight for Israel’s enemies.
On Jan 9, the ISD said the men were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024 after they were readying themselves to travel to the Middle-East to fight against Israel.
They had practised how to kill, and had either gone to or planned to visit shooting ranges in Thailand and Indonesia to train using firearms.
One of them was willing to carry out attacks in Singapore.
The ISD identified the three men as Muhammad Indra Aqmal Effendy, 21; Mohamad Latiff Rahim, 41; and Nurisham Yusoff, 44.
The ISD said while the three cases were unrelated, their radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The Gaza health authorities said nearly 46,000 Gazans have been killed, while Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct 7 killed 1,200 people, with more than 250 hostages taken.
In response to queries, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said security systems and processes have been put in place at the national level and within the SAF to screen for and detect personnel who may pose as security threats.
A Mindef spokeswoman said: “It is a legitimate concern and security threat that national servicemen could use their skills learnt in the SAF to commit criminal acts or acts of terrorism.
“The Military Security Department within Mindef regularly screens for persons who might pose such threats. If identified, such persons will not be put into positions to acquire soldiering skills or gain access to equipment that pose a threat.”
She added Mindef works closely with other government security agencies, and that SAF commanders also engage their soldiers regularly to strengthen cohesion and promote mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds.
ISD said the three men acted alone and there was no indication they had radicalised or recruited others in Singapore.
Their family members here were unaware of their violent plans.
ISD said: “These three cases highlight how overseas conflicts can have an impact on Singapore’s security. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, ISD has dealt with at least five Singaporeans under the Internal Security Act whose radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the conflict.” – The Straits Times/ANN
