Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the Internal Security Department (ISD)'s role in keeping threats against Singapore's internal security at bay during a closed-door event to celebrate ISD's 75th anniversary on Oct.24, saying it is "vital to have a capable and vigilant ISD" to protect Singapore.

The event was also attended by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam.

Speaking at the event, PM Lee said that Singapore as a diverse multiracial and multi-religious nation, is vulnerable to both external and internal threats.

Comparing ISD to specialised intelligence agencies like FBI in the US and MI5 in Britain, he said that ISD is Singapore's counterpart to these foreign agencies.

ISD is equally and even more essential to the nation, he explained.

"ISD has been the steady force – often operating in the shadows, away from the limelight, but ever-present and ready to respond to keep Singapore safe and sovereign for all Singaporeans," he said.

During his address, PM Lee emphasised three security concerns - terrorism, foreign influence and espionage, domestic vulnerabilities - confronting Singapore, which the ISD is actively addressing.

Threat of terrorism

Threat of terrorism has been high on ISD’s priorities, especially the threat from Islamist terrorist groups, he said.

PM Lee recalled the 9/11 attacks in 2001, where the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group was discovered in Singapore.

While it has been 22 years since then, threat from transnational Islamist terrorist groups has evolved but remains persistent, he said.

Dangerous groups have continued to operate in nearby countries, using new recruitment and fund-raising strategies and developing novel tactics for their attack operations, he explained.

Aside from large terrorist groups, there are also lone wolf and small group attacks that can easily use an Internet connection to call individuals into action and turn them into a danger to others.

He also cited Singapore's first far-right radicalisation case where a 16-year-old boy was detained under the Internal Security Act.

"This is where ISD comes in – to make sure our people do not get captured by some extreme ideology, or caught up in quarrels which are not ours, to sow chaos within our own community," PM Lee said.

PM Lee also commended ISD's work to turn around most of those who were led astray.

PM Lee noted that nearly 90 per cent of the 137 Singaporeans issued with ISA orders since 2002 have been successfully reintegrated into society.

Foreign espionage

Foreign influence and espionage remain a major security issue, said PM Lee.

He highlighted that ISD is the first line of defence when it comes to such threats, and must be equally capable and shrewd when deciding how best to deal with these threats.

Adding that such threats do happen in Singapore, he referenced the 2017 case of the professor from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy who attempted to influence senior decision-makers in the country.

"ISD deals with foreign actors who seek to subvert us, mount influence operations to manipulate us, or conduct espionage to compromise our most precious secrets," he explained.

“We all sleep easier at night, knowing that ISD is there, keeping a watchful eye on things which can go bump in the night."

Differences in perspectives & attitudes still exist domestically

While Singapore has come a long way in building trust between different communities since its independence, it would be unwise to imagine that differences in perspectives and attitudes have entirely disappeared, said PM Lee.

He pointed out that Singaporeans have different views to different developments in the world based on their age, race and religious groups.

He cited China-US tensions, Middle East violence, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as examples.

"All these differences are a reality that we must recognise and accept. They remind us to continue watching racial and religious relations carefully because misunderstandings and frictions can still arise, and cause serious problems if not properly handled," he said.

Another issue to be aware of is emerging social divisions, PM Lee said.

An example is the sharpening polarisation between different groups that champion different causes.

They may adopt strident advocacy and use group tactics learnt from elsewhere that may divide people for and against their cause, he said.

"This is where ISD plays a crucial role behind-the-scenes, providing timely information and insightful assessments to the Government, beyond what is in the public domain or on social media."

Shanmugam's message to ISD

In a message to the ISD officers at the event, Shanmugam also highlighted ISD's key role in keeping Singapore secure and stable.

"Over the past 75 years, ISD has dealt with a wide range of threats to Singapore's internal security, stability and sovereignty," he said.

Their work have laid the foundations of the country's peace and stability, which enabled Singapore to focus on nation-building, he said.

However, with changing external environment and domestic vulnerabilities, threats will continue to arise, he said.

"ISD will continue to discharge its mission to protect the internal security of our nation, from threats both internal and external, and it will do so with its partners from the Home Team, the community, and across Singapore."

He also commended the officers for their dedication to keeping Singapore safe.

"Thank you to all officers, past and present, for a job well done, and for your unwavering dedication to Singapore," he said.

Improving ISD's efforts

In a press release, ISD said that they are striving to improve as an organisation and improve their capabilities.

Numerous initiatives to transform its work, workforce and workplace has been carried out, the press release added.

This includes developing new and cutting-edge capabilities, investing in career development and training for officers, and transforming work spaces to meet the needs of officers.

"ISD's organisational structure and its work are necessarily veiled in secrecy for operational security reasons. However, ISD will continue to find ways to communicate who we are, what we do, and what we stand for," the press release said.

"On its 75th anniversary. ISD appreciates and seeks the continued trust, support and partnership from Singaporeans in carrying out our mission and securing Singapore for the future."

Background of ISD

ISD was formerly known as the Singapore Special Branch before Singapore's independence.

It was formed in 1948 to replace the Malayan Security Service, a pan-Malayan intelligence organisation with its headquarters in Singapore.

In September 1963, Special Branch came under the Malaysian Special Branch when Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia.

It was then renamed the ISD on Feb. 17 1966, following Singapore's independence.

ISD was placed under the newly-established Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Aug. 11 1970.

In 1986, ISD was recognised for its role in safeguarding Singapore's sovereignty and stability, and was accorded the honour of using the State Crest as part of their emblem.

Top photo via PM Lee's Facebook