Man arrested for suspected involvement in sending parcel containing pork to Al-Istiqamah Mosque
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The police were alerted to a case of a suspicious parcel delivered to Al-Istiqamah Mosque in Serangoon North Avenue 2 on Sept 24.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – The police have arrested a 61-year-old Chinese man for his suspected involvement in sending out a parcel via mail with deliberate intent to wound the racial feelings of a person.
In a statement on Sept 27, the police said they were alerted to a case of a suspicious parcel delivered to a mosque
While the police did not name the mosque in their statement, the Al-Istiqamah Mosque was identified in prior media reports about the incident.
The man was arrested on Sept 25.
Police officers from the Bedok Police Division and Criminal Investigation Department were able to establish his identity through ground inquiries and police camera images.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was allegedly involved in several similar cases at other mosques around Singapore.
He is expected to be charged in court on Sept 27 for the offence of deliberately intending to wound the racial feelings of a person.
The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
“The police take a very serious view of acts that threaten Singapore’s racial and religious harmony.
“Such behaviour will not be condoned, and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
‘Playing with fire’
The Al-Istiqamah Mosque was evacuated on Sept 24 after a suspicious parcel was delivered to its premises.
One person was taken to Sengkang General Hospital after being assessed by officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force for breathlessness, and has since been discharged. No hazardous substances were found at the scene.
Speaking to the media at the mosque on Sept 25, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the act was inflammatory regardless of the parcel’s contents, and that similar incidents had also recently happened at other mosques around Singapore.
Said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security: “Whatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously. We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible.”
He warned that such incidents can create distrust between communities by deepening divisions.
Other religious leaders and government bodies have also condemned and raised concern over the incident.
In a Facebook post on Sept 25, the Inter-Religious Organisation said it takes a strong stand against any actions that threaten the peace and safety of places of worship or undermine religious harmony in Singapore.
“Singapore’s mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship are sanctuaries for many,” it said, adding that these places must continue to be safe and peaceful spaces for all who seek solace, reflection and communal worship.
In a separate Facebook post on Sept 25, Dr Janil Puthucheary, chairman of racial harmony advocacy group OnePeople.sg, said that acts which threaten Singapore’s cherished peace and mutual respect have no place in society.
In sermons prepared by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and delivered at Al-Istiqamah Mosque and other mosques in Singapore during Friday prayers on Sept 26, Muslim religious leaders called on the community to refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth also advised against speculating or spreading rumours over the incident.
In a public advisory, it noted that the leadership at Al-Istiqamah Mosque has called for calm, and for prayers to continue as usual.
“This reflects the solidarity that defines Singapore’s response to such provocations,” MCCY added.
The Sikh Advisory Board echoed calls for calm in a statement on Sept 26, adding that it stands in solidarity with the Muslim community.
