SINGAPORE - The 27 radicalised Bangladesh nationals arrested under the Internal Security Act were a serious threat to Singapore, even though they were plotting nefarious activities in their home country, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Singapore is tightening its security and acting to protect its racial and religious harmony, Mr Lee wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday night (Jan 20).
"They were plotting nefarious activities in Bangladesh and other countries, and not in Singapore. But they were still a serious threat to us," he wrote.
"We are tightening up our security, and acting to protect our racial and religious harmony.
"Radicalisation and terrorism must never take root in Singapore."
Citing a speech made by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Tuesday (Jan 19), Mr Lee said: "He spoke plainly and directly, so that everyone understands that this is serious. The Government will do its part, but everyone has to be on guard for suspicious activities that could harm our way of life."
The 27 men supported the armed jihad ideology of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Of the group, 26 have been repatriated to Bangladesh, while the last person remains in prison.
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