Singaporean teen arrested under ISA released, given Restriction Order

A Singaporean youth who was arrested under the Internal Security Act in May has been released from custody and is placed under a Restriction Order (RO) under the ISA for two years from June, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday (Jun 29).

Investigations showed the 17-year-old had become radicalised after viewing videos, websites and social media materials propagated by radical ideologues and terrorist elements, MHA stated. "He had wanted to engage in armed violence alongside the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and had started making preparations to carry out his plans," MHA said. 

Under the Restriction Order, the youth will have to attend religious counselling and has to stop accessing violent or extremist online material. He will not be allowed to leave Singapore without permission or to issue public statements. Further measures will be taken against him if he breaches the conditions of the RO, or if it is assessed that further measures are needed to protect public, MHA added. 

"His release on an RO, with conditions attached, provides a balance between rehabilitation and preserving public security," it said. 

The youth's arrest was announced in May, together with the detention of M Arifil Azim Putra Norja'i. The 19-year-old post-secondary student is the first known self-radicalised Singaporean to harbour the intention to carry out violent attacks in Singapore.

MHA reiterated that family members, friends, colleagues and members of the public have an important role to play in protecting fellow Singaporeans from radicalisation and terrorism. It is urging people to call the ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre hotline 1800-2626-473, if someone they know appears to be radicalised. "This could save such individuals and allow them to be helped and counselled, so that they are prevented from engaging in violent activities that may cause harm to themselves and others," MHA said.