Fight against terrorists and extremists a "digital battle": Ng Eng Hen

The fight against the international terrorists and religious extremists is a digital battle that cannot be fought by only analogue means, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
The fight against the international terrorists and religious extremists is a digital battle that cannot be fought by only analogue means, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The fight against the international terrorists and religious extremists is a digital battle that cannot be fought by only analogue means, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Noting that these extremists are using social media to draw people to believe in false ideologies, Dr Ng said on Friday that security agencies need to think of how to counter these doctrines.

"What is the world's most poweful weapon? It's really what people believe in. What people believe in will affect their resolve, their actions that come out from it, and will ultimately determine the outcome," said Dr Ng at the Defence Technology Prize ceremony on Friday.

Calling on the defence technology community to join the fight against the extremists, Dr Ng said they would have to collaborate with others on the Internet, as they already do in the real world.

At Friday's event, Dr Ng gave out prizes to three individuals and five teams, whose breakthroughs included extending the lifespan of Singapore's ageing missile corvettes and bolstering the firepower.

Dr Ng paid tribute to these defence researchers and engineers, calling them "silent warriors" who have worked hard.

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