In a press release on Nov. 9, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that three Singaporeans have been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

1. Abu Thalha bin Samad

Abu Thalha, 25, has been a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group since 2014, when he took a pledge of allegiance to the group. This meant he was duty-bound to carry out orders from JI leaders, including sacrificing his life in an act of armed violence.

Since young, he was educated at JI-linked schools and underwent paramilitary training in some of them. Since 2016, he has been teaching in a JI-linked school and had also served on a JI committee which "talent-spotted" students for membership in the JI.

Working together with a "regional government", as MHA did not specify which country it was, Abu Thalha was deported to Singapore in Aug. 2017 and arrested. In Sept. 2017, he was issued with a two-year Order of Detention.

2. Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri

Adzrul, 19, is a former full-time National Serviceman who served as a Logistics Assistant in the SAF.

Adzrul was radicalised and became a supporter of ISIS after watching pro-ISIS, radical material online while searching for videos related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In mid-2016, Adzrul considered fighting for ISIS in Syria, viewing it as a sectarian struggle between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

However in Aug. 2017 he began to harbour doubts over ISIS's legitimacy and their violent methods. He was issued with a Restriction Order in Sept. 2017 and will be required to undergo counselling, including religious counselling.

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3. Munavar Baig Amina Begam

Munavar, 38, is a naturalised Singapore citizen from India, a housewife, and a supporter of ISIS. She was radicalised by a foreign online contact, who shared pro-ISIS materials with her and convinced her that ISIS was defending Sunni Muslims.

She was prepared to undergo military training to fight for ISIS in the Middle East, and intended to personally travel to the conflict zone. Meanwhile, she shared materials promoting terrorism on social media, encouraging others to fight and die as "martyrs".

Munavar was issued with a two-year Order of Detention in Nov. 2017.

Lapse of Restriction Order

MHA also stated that a Restriction Order against Mustafa Kamal bin Mohammad was allowed to lapse in Sept. 2017. Mustafa had been placed under the RO in Sept. 2013 as he was a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

However, he was cooperative and responsive to rehabilitation efforts while under the RO and us such, will not require supervision under the RO regime.

What is a Restriction Order?

According to MHA:

"A person issued with a Restriction Order (RO) must abide by several conditions and restrictions. For example, he is not permitted to change his residence or employment, or travel out of Singapore, without the prior approval of the Director ISD. The individual issued with RO also cannot issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute, contribute to any publication, hold office in, or be a member of any organisation, association or group without the prior approval of Director ISD."

Top image from Home Team SG.