Three Singaporeans Detained Under ISA Due to Israel-Hamas Conflict Radicalisation
SINGAPORE: In a troubling development, the Internal Security Department (ISD) revealed on Thursday (Jan 9) that three Singaporean men were detained under the Internal Security Act in November 2024, due to their radicalisation linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. These individuals had independently self-radicalised online and were making preparations to engage in armed violence overseas. ISD emphasized that although the cases of these men were unrelated, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict played a significant role in either triggering or accelerating their radicalisation.
Muhammad Indra Aqmal Effendy: A Story of Radicalisation
Muhammad Indra Aqmal Effendy, a 21-year-old lift mechanic, found himself on the path to radicalisation following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas against Israel. Emotionally impacted by the suffering of Palestinians, Indra developed a deep-seated hatred towards the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a strong desire to fight for Hamas in Gaza. His radicalisation journey involved consuming extremist online content on armed jihad and martyrdom, leading him to believe that fighting for Hamas was a legitimate form of armed jihad. In preparation for his intended travel to Gaza, Indra researched travel routes and connected with an online contact in Palestinian territories. His martial arts background allowed him to hone his combat skills at home and practice weapons handling with toy guns daily. Additionally, he explored shooting ranges in Batam for further training.
Mohamad Latiff Rahim: A Director’s Descent into Radicalisation
Mohamad Latiff Rahim, a 41-year-old director of a digital marketing company, began his radicalisation journey in 2010 by immersing himself in online content about Islamic prophecies related to the End-of-Times. Over the years, he became convinced of the imminent arrival of the End-of-Times and his duty to fight alongside mujahideen against the enemies of Islam. The Israel-Hamas conflict, especially the involvement of Iran, further fueled Latiff’s desire to engage in armed violence. Viewing Israel as an enemy, Latiff, a Shi’ite Muslim, believed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would lead the mujahideen during the End-of-Times. He was prepared to respond to a call for armed jihad by traveling to the Middle East to join Iran’s military forces or Iran-backed militant groups. Latiff’s preparations included visiting a shooting range in Bangkok and intensifying his physical training with knife combat practices.
Nurisham Yusoff: The Security Guard’s Radicalisation Journey
Nurisham Yusoff, a 44-year-old security guard, delved into Islamic eschatological prophecies on the End-of-Times in 2020, leading him to seek religious knowledge on social media. Exposure to radical preachers like Azhar Idrus and Wadi Annuar influenced Nurisham’s beliefs about martyrdom and armed violence. Following Hamas’ attacks, he felt compelled to travel to Gaza and join Hamas’ military wing, seeing it as a legitimate form of armed jihad during the impending End-of-Times. Nurisham’s military training in the Singapore Armed Forces added to his confidence in handling weapons, as he researched ways to enter Gaza and trained at a shooting range in Batam.
The stories of these three individuals underscore the impact of overseas conflicts on local security and highlight the importance of vigilance against radicalisation and extremist narratives. Family members and friends are urged to watch for signs of radicalisation and report any suspicions to ISD promptly.