The Internal Security Department (ISD) of Singapore has detained three individuals under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning to participate i
The Internal Security Department (ISD) of Singapore has detained three individuals under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning to participate in violent activities overseas. The men, Muhammad Indra Aqmal bin Effendy (21), Mohamad Latiff bin Rahim (41), and Nurisham bin Yusoff (44), were all self-radicalised online and had made preparations to join armed groups abroad.
According to the ISD, while their cases were independent of one another, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict played a pivotal role in either triggering or accelerating their radicalisation. Indra and Nurisham were preparing to fight for Hamas in Gaza, while Latiff aimed to join Iran’s military forces and Iran-backed groups to combat Israel in the Middle East.
Each of the three had either visited or planned to visit shooting ranges in Indonesia and Thailand for firearms training. Notably, one of them was even willing to carry out attacks in Singapore itself.
Indra, inspired by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, became immersed in content depicting Palestinian casualties and extremist materials advocating jihad and martyrdom. His hatred for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) grew, and he expressed a desire to die as a martyr while fighting for Hamas. Indra sought to travel to Gaza and trained himself at home using toy guns to simulate combat and improve his shooting skills.
Latiff, who had lived in Bangkok, began his radicalisation in 2010 by studying Islamic eschatology. He came to believe in an impending end-of-times battle, where a Muslim army would emerge to fight against Islam’s enemies. After the Hamas attack, he intensified his focus on armed violence and was prepared to fight for Iran’s military or other affiliated groups. Latiff practised firearms use in Bangkok and trained with knives, simulating attacks on vital body parts.
Nurisham, a former security guard, was radicalised in 2020 through online content from extremist preachers. Influenced by the Israel-Hamas conflict, he became convinced that it was his religious duty to fight in Gaza. Nurisham sought guidance to enter Gaza and even planned to visit a shooting range in Batam, Indonesia. His prior military training with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) further motivated him, as he believed his skills would be valuable in combat.
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has reassured the public that measures are in place to monitor and prevent such threats within the SAF. The Military Security Department regularly screens for personnel who may pose a security risk, ensuring that those identified do not access soldiering skills or dangerous equipment.
The ISD has emphasised that the detained individuals acted alone and did not attempt to recruit others in Singapore. Their families were unaware of their plans. These cases highlight the impact of overseas conflicts on national security, with the ISD having dealt with at least five such cases linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict since its escalation in October 2023.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against radicalisation, particularly warning about the signs of extremist behaviour. These include frequenting radical websites, promoting violence on social media, expressing extremist views, and discussing plans to partake in violence, either in Singapore or abroad. The ISD continues to take firm action against any individual in Singapore supporting or preparing for armed violence, regardless of its location.
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