Company director, mechanic and security guard detained by ISD after becoming self-radicalised
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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 PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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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.
They were affected by the conflict and had been separately self-radicalised online, becoming determined to fight against Israel.
On Jan 9, the ISD said the men were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024, as they were readying themselves to travel to the Middle East.
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.
“These three cases highlight how overseas conflicts can have an impact on Singapore’s security,” ISD said, noting that since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, it has dealt with at least five Singaporeans under the ISA whose radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the conflict.
“Even though it has been more than a year since the start of the conflict, extremist narratives on it, as well as on the growing strife in the Middle East, have not abated,” ISD added.
The Gaza health authorities said nearly 46,000 Gazans have been killed, while Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023 killed 1,200 people, with more than 250 hostages taken
Indra and Nurisham planned to fight for Hamas in Gaza, while Latiff planned to fight for Iran-linked militant groups in the Middle East.
Indra the mechanic
Following the Oct 7 attack, Indra, a lift mechanic, consumed online content that showed Palestinian civilians killed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
He was affected by the suffering of the Palestinians and came across extremist materials on armed jihad and martyrdom.
He hated the IDF and wanted to fight for Hamas, believing this was a legitimate form of armed jihad, and wanted to die a martyr while fighting.
Indra prepared to travel to Gaza by researching online for possible travel routes, and identifying an online foreign contact based in the Palestinian territories who he thought could help him.
He honed his unarmed combat skills and practised reloading and pulling the trigger with toy guns at home. He had searched online for shooting ranges in Batam where he could train with weapons.
Latiff the director
Latiff, the director of a digital marketing company, was based in Bangkok. He viewed online content on “end of times” prophecies in 2010 and was convinced it would happen in his lifetime.
He also believed it was his duty to fight the enemies of Islam during the end of times.
To prepare himself for battle, he visited a shooting range in Bangkok in 2022.
The Oct 7 attack further convinced him that the end of times was imminent and that Iran’s Supreme Leader would soon issue a call for Muslims to engage in armed jihad. Latiff was ready to respond by travelling to join Iran’s military forces or Iran-backed militant groups like Hezbollah.
He practised stabbing and slashing motions with kitchen knives at least four to five times a month in Bangkok. He also simulated attacks on vital body points, such as the chest and jugular veins, which he believed would cause instant death.
While Latiff did not have any specific plans to carry out attacks in Singapore, he admitted that he was willing to do so if instructed.
He was arrested when he returned to Singapore in October 2024.
Nurisham the security guard
While looking for religious knowledge on social media in 2020, Nurisham was exposed to foreign radical and segregationist preachers.
He believed martyrdom was the easiest way for him to atone for his sins to enter heaven during the impending end of times.
He found online extremist materials linked to the Israel-Hamas war, becoming convinced it was his religious obligation to travel to Gaza to fight.
Nurisham looked for ways to enter Gaza and posted extensively on social media about the war, hoping someone would help to get him into the war zone.
He believed the military training he had undergone while serving in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would be useful. He also planned to visit a shooting range in Batam.
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 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 that 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.
The two other cases who were radicalised in response to the Israel-Hamas war are a Secondary 3 student and a former public servant
In an update on other cases, the ISD said Mohamed Khairul Riduan Mohamed Sarip, 40, was released from detention on an RO under the ISA in November 2024.
The former Ministry of Education teacher was the first public servant detained for terror-related offences in Singapore
The ROs for three Singaporeans were also allowed to lapse as they had made good progress in their rehabilitation.
They are former lawyer Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader former freelance religious teacher Murad Mohamed Said
ISD reminded the public to stay vigilant against radical elements and extremist content, which encourage or legitimise acts of terrorism and violent extremism.
It said that possible signs of radicalisation include:
Frequently surfing radical websites;
Posting/sharing extremist views on social media platforms, such as expressing support/admiration for terrorists/terrorist groups and the use of violence;
Sharing extremist views with friends and relatives;
Making remarks that promote ill will or hatred towards people of other races, religions or communities;
Expressing intent to participate in acts of violence overseas or in Singapore; and/or
Inciting others to participate in acts of violence.
Anyone who knows or suspects that a person has been radicalised should contact the ISD hotline on 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).
