S'pore will take action against citizens fighting overseas in foreign causes: Shanmugam

Singaporeans are not allowed by law to fight overseas in foreign causes, and action will be taken against those who do, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said.

He was speaking at the annual Religious Rehabilitation Group iftar event held on Feb. 23 at Khadijah Mosque.

Shanmugam also talked about the issue of Singaporeans fighting for foreign causes.

There was a recent report by Al Jazeera alleging that Singaporeans fought in the Israeli army during the Gaza conflict.

On Feb. 19, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it did not have any substantiated information at that time that any Singaporean is or was serving in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

Every now and then, there are some suggestions of Singaporeans fighting for various causes, he said.

"With fake news, you never know what is true and what is not true," he added.

Will take action

However, if a Singaporean is identified to have fought overseas in foreign causes, action will be taken.

"If they are in Singapore, ISD [Internal Security Department] will detain them, and we have done so before," Shanmugam said.

He emphasised that Singapore's laws do not allow citizens to get involved in violence overseas, whether for countries or for organisations.

This applies regardless of the side they fight for, in Ukraine, Russia, or Gaza, he cited as examples.

He described Singapore as a small oasis of peace amid stress and tension around the world, and highlighted racial and religious harmony as key to maintaining this peace.

"Whatever happens externally in the world, we try not to bring those problems in here," he said. "Where it is possible and appropriate to help, we give help, humanitarian help, for people elsewhere."

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