Man arrested under anti-terrorism laws after suspicious item found in St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah

SINGAPORE – A 26-year-old man was arrested after a suspicious item was found in St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah earlier in the morning.

In a statement on Facebook at about 5.20pm, the police said the man, who is a volunteer with the church, had said he had discovered a suspicious item in a drain within the church premises.

“Thereafter, he immobilized himself and held on to the suspicious item,” they said.

Following thorough checks, the item, which resembled an improvised explosive device, was assessed at about 10.40am to be three cardboard rolls and wires taped with black tape with no explosive elements present.

It was subsequently removed from the scene by the police.

The man was later arrested under the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations for his suspected involvement in the incident.

The church had said that it will be closed for today and masses will resume on Dec 22.

A churchgoer told The Straits Times that the incident happened before the Chinese-language mass at 7.30am. He said that someone had found an unattended bag.

The police had said in an update at around 11am that the item was harmless and that the situation was under control.

Police officers and the Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group (SAF CBRE) reached the conclusion after conducting thorough checks on the item.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicles started leaving the premises just after 11.30am.

At about 1.45pm, a handcuffed man wearing a blue top was led to a white multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) by police officers. Investigators wearing gloves were seen examining the driver’s seat and contents in the boot. Close to 3pm, plainclothes officers were again seen checking the boot of the MPV.

At about 5pm, a police crime scene investigation van was seen leaving the church, followed by a police car. Shortly after that, the church’s main gates were closed and officers who were manning the entrance left.

In a Facebook post on Dec 21, the police said they were alerted to an incident at 620 Upper Bukit Timah Road at 7.10am.

They said that officers were at the scene attending to the incident.

In an update, they said that they had secured the area and the church had been evacuated while police operations were ongoing.

When The Straits Times arrived at the church just before 9am, police officers were at the entrance directing vehicles away. No one was allowed to enter the premises.

Church volunteers were spotted at the gate and a bus stop nearby, advising would-be attendees that mass was cancelled. They could also be heard redirecting congregants to the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok.

At 9.17am, several police and SCDF vehicles were seen entering the church premises, along with plainclothes officers.

Earlier, a notice on the church’s website showed that mass services at 7.30am, 9.30am and 11.30am on Dec 21 were cancelled till further notice.

A church member who wanted to be known only as Mr Koh said he and his wife noticed a few police cars after they arrived at about 7.25am, only to be told by their priest around 7.45am that mass had been cancelled.

Commenting on the incident in a Facebook post, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said he was grateful to the Singapore Police Force, SAF CBRE and SCDF for their quick, calm and resolute response. He also thanked church volunteers for their efforts.

“Will wait for further updates from the police and the church leadership on reopening,” said the Foreign Minister and MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, where the church is located. “Was glad to meet Father Christopher Lee this morning – a real pillar of calm leadership, as always.”

In November 2024, Father Lee, the church’s priest,

was stabbed by a knife-wielding man

while he was conducting evening mass at the church.

The assailant, a 37-year-old Singaporean man, was disarmed by members of the congregation and subsequently arrested by police officers. The police ruled out the attack as an act of terrorism and the man was believed to have acted alone, based on preliminary investigations.

In a message on Dec 21, Father Lee advised congregants to go to other churches for mass and apologised for any inconvenience.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said in a Facebook post that he was deeply concerned by the incident and relieved that the item was found to be harmless.

He said that all places of worship, whether churches, mosques, temples or others, must always remain safe spaces where congregants can pray and gather in peace, adding that any incident that threatens this sense of safety undermines the trust and harmony that bind Singaporeans together as a society.

“Singapore is a multiracial and multi-religious nation. Mutual respect, understanding and the freedom to practise one’s faith without fear are fundamental to who we are. We must reject actions that sow anxiety or create divisions, and remain vigilant in safeguarding our social cohesion,” he said.

The Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs also called on the Malay/Muslim community to stand in solidarity with their Christian friends during this period, citing how members of different faiths rallied to support one another

after an incident at Masjid Al-Istiqamah

in September.

A

suspicious parcel had been delivered

to the mosque in Serangoon North, prompting an evacuation. Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam

later revealed that the parcel contained meat

that appeared to be pork.

On Dec 21, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said on Instagram that Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious society is “a precious and hard-won asset that we need to continue to protect as one people”.

Echoing similar sentiments, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash appealed for calm.

“This incident was a reminder to be vigilant and to stand together as Singaporeans, always,” he said.

Mayor of North West District Alex Yam cautioned against jumping to conclusions.

“This is not the first time the St Joseph community has faced an incident, and each time, the church and the wider community have emerged stronger, more united and more resilient,” he said in a Facebook post.

“It is right and prudent to take precautions and to follow the instructions of the authorities, but we should not allow fear to consume or possess us.”

The police requested that those with information about the incident call 1800-255-0000 or submit details online at

www.police.gov.sg/i-witness

. All information will be kept strictly confidential.