For their involvement in terrorism-related
behaviour, three Singaporeans were issued orders in the period between January
and March this year. One was issued with an order of detention (OD) under the
Internal Security Act (ISA), while another two were issued with restriction
orders (RO). Imran Mahmood, a 40-year-old unemployed Singaporean, was detained
in January under the ISA after investigations showed he had been radicalised
and harboured the intention to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State in
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group. For his actions, Imran has issued an OD.
In a press release yesterday, the Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA)said: "Imran's radicalisation began sometime in 2013
when he started listening to online lectures by foreign religious preachers,
including those who preached about the imminent coming of the end-times."
The MHA added that through his exposure to the radical online material, Imran
became a strong supporter of ISIS' violent objectives and actions. By 2014, he
had developed a desire to live under ISIS' so-called caliphate in Syria or Iraq
and research on viable entry points for himself into Syria.
The MHA said: "He was willing to take
up arms to defend or expand ISIS' territory and believed he would achieve
martyrdom if he died fighting for ISIS." Singaporeans Mohamad Fairuz
Junaidi, a 39-year-old food deliveryman, and Rasidah Mazlan, a 62-year-old
production technician have issued ROs in March.
[INFLUENCED]
Investigations found that Fairuz was
influenced by ISIS' radical ideology and had considered travelling to Syria and
was prepared to take up arms and fight alongside ISIS. In Rasidah's case,
investigations established that she had been in contact with multiple foreign
entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including
individuals who had expressed support for ISIS. The MHA said:
"Investigations showed that Rasidah's contacts with these individuals were
mainly driven by her deep sympathy for Muslims suffering in overseas conflicts.
"She was placed on an RO to prevent
her from resuming her contacts with such elements, and to allow her to undergo
counselling or rehabilitation." The MHA also said that four Singaporean
ISA detainees have been released from detention in March and June. According to
the ministry, the four had shown good progress in their rehabilitation and
assessed to no longer pose a security threat that requires preventive
detention. The MHA also added that an RO issued in June 2015 against a then
17-year-old Singaporean for supporting ISIS was allowed to lapse upon its
expiry in June as he has shown good progress in his rehabilitation.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Masagos Zulkifli wrote in a Facebook post: "These cases illustrate that
there will always be those who are vulnerable to radicalisation and our
vigilance against it is a continuing one. "We must not allow the actions
of a misguided few to overshadow the achievements of our community. Our Malay/Muslim
community stands united and strong with fellow Singaporeans to keep our nation
safe and secure."
Source: The New Paper Singapore – 26 June
2019
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