Three female Indonesian nationals were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in September 2019, according to a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Radicalised in 2018 after viewing online materials

Anindia Afiyantari, Retno Hernayan and Turmini were radicalised in 2018 after viewing online materials related to ISIS, convinced that ISIS was fighting for Islam.

They also joined multiple pro-ISIS social media chat groups and channels, where they were drawn to the violent visuals disseminated on these platforms.

All three were working as domestic workers in Singapore between 6 and 13 years during the time of their arrest, and had been acquainted with one another.

33-year-old Anindia and 36-year-old Retno first met at a social gathering during their off days, while 31-year-old Turmini connected with them via social media.

Apart from the three of them, a fourth domestic worker was also arrested and subsequently repatriated to Indonesia.

She was not found to be radicalised but did not report the three to the authorities despite being aware of their radicalisation.

Actively galvanised support

All three maintained several social media accounts sharing pro-ISIS materials and developed a network of pro-militant foreign online contacts.

Two of them, Anindia and Retno, also intended to travel to Syria to join ISIS.

They also donated funds to overseas-based entities for terrorism-related purposes, and supported the Indonesia-based ISIS-affiliated terrorist group, Jemaah Anshorut Daulah (JD).

Govt takes serious view towards terrorism

A MHA spokesperson stated that the total number of radicalised foreign domestic workers detected in Singapore since 2015 currently stands at 19, including these three.

None of these individuals were found to have plans to carry out acts of violence in Singapore. However, their radicalisation and association with terrorists have rendered them a security threat.

The spokesperson added:

"Foreigners are welcome to work and live in Singapore, but they should abide by our laws. They must ensure their activities do not jeopardise Singapore’s safety and security. "

Anyone who knows or suspects that a person has been radicalised, or is engaging in terrorism-related activities, should promptly call the Internal Security Department Counter-Terrorism Centre hotline 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).

Top photo via Unsplash & ISD