Two Singaporeans and a Malaysian national have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged self-radicalisation, the Internal Security Department (ISD) announced on 10 February 2025.
The cases involve 18-year-old student Nick Lee Xing Qiu (Lee) and 56-year-old housewife Hamizah binte Hamzah (Hamizah), both allegedly influenced by extremist online content, and 34-year-old Malaysian cleaner Saharuddin bin Saari (Saharuddin), who was repatriated after reportedly supporting groups like ISIS and HAMAS.
In December 2024, Lee received an Order of Detention (OD) for allegedly planning attacks in Singapore, driven by radical far-right extremist ideologies. Meanwhile, in January 2025, Hamizah was placed under a Restriction Order (RO) for supporting Islamist militant groups amid the ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict.
Separately, Saharuddin was arrested under the ISA in November 2024 for supporting ISIS, HAMAS, and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (AQB) and was repatriated to Malaysia following investigations.
Nick Lee Xing Qiu: Far-right extremism and local attack aspirations
According to ISD, Lee’s radicalisation began in early 2023 after exposure to Islamophobic and far-right extremist content on social media.
By mid-2023, he had allegedly idolised Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, and repeatedly watched the livestream footage of the massacre. He reportedly role-played as Tarrant in violent online games and downloaded modifications to simulate killing Muslims.
By early 2024, Lee had reportedly developed a strong enmity towards Muslims, Malays, and other ethnicities targeted by far-right extremists, including Jews, Mexicans, African-Americans, and Indians.
He identified as an “East Asian supremacist” who believed in the superiority of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese ethnicities. His online consumption of far-right content allegedly led him to support white supremacist ideas, as he viewed Islam as a threat to white and East Asian cultures.
ISD stated that Lee envisioned inciting a “race war” in Singapore by spreading anti-Malay/Muslim propaganda online.
He allegedly sought to create conflict between Chinese and Malays to either expel Malays from Singapore or subject them to violence. His attack plans included using homemade weapons and Molotov cocktails to target mosques and Malay Muslim neighbours during religious events.
Although Lee did not have a specific timeline or carry out preparatory actions beyond online discussions, ISD considered his attack aspirations serious. Lee’s family, teachers, and peers were reportedly unaware of his radicalisation.
Hamizah binte Hamzah: Support for Islamist militant groups
Hamizah’s radicalisation allegedly began following HAMAS’s 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, which led her to follow news about the Axis of Resistance (AOR), a network of militant organisations including HAMAS, AQB, Hizbollah, and the Houthis.
Her exposure to online content highlighting Palestinian suffering was said to have intensified her hostility towards Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). She reportedly believed these militant groups were mujahideen (fighters) engaged in justified acts of violence.
Hamizah allegedly managed multiple pro-AOR social media groups and posted violent content supporting armed conflict against Israel.
ISD said she encouraged others to engage in violence against the IDF, although she had no personal intentions to participate in armed conflict locally or abroad. Her actions, including the management of online groups with hundreds of members, were deemed a security threat by ISD due to their potential for incitement and recruitment.
This case is likely linked to the case back in November last year, where a female administrator of a Telegram chat was interrogated and had her devices seized.
Conditions of the Restriction Order
Hamizah’s Restriction Order requires her to comply with strict conditions. Under the RO, she is not permitted to change her residence or employment, or leave Singapore without approval from the Director of ISD. She is also restricted from accessing the Internet, issuing public statements, or engaging with any organisation or publication without prior approval.
Malaysian national repatriated for supporting extremist groups
In a related case, 34-year-old Malaysian cleaner Saharuddin bin Saari was arrested under the ISA in November 2024 for his long-standing support of ISIS, HAMAS, and AQB. His radicalisation reportedly began in 2014 when he encountered online content about ISIS’s involvement in the Syrian conflict. By 2017, he had pledged allegiance to ISIS and actively promoted jihadist content online.
Following the escalation of the Israel-HAMAS conflict in October 2023, Saharuddin allegedly expressed support for HAMAS and AQB, viewing them as defenders of Muslims.
He considered travelling to conflict zones in Syria and Gaza but was unable to do so due to financial constraints. Although he had no attack plans against Singapore, ISD assessed him as a potential threat and worked with the Malaysian Special Branch to repatriate him in November 2024.
Broader concerns about self-radicalisation
ISD highlighted the persistent threat posed by self-radicalised individuals in Singapore. Far-right extremism, while typically associated with white supremacy, has reportedly gained traction among non-whites, with Lee being the third case involving far-right radicalisation under the ISA.
ISD noted that youths may be more susceptible to radicalisation due to their search for belonging and identity. The government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on support for extremist ideologies and stressed the importance of early reporting by family members and friends.
ISD reminded the public to be alert to potential signs of radicalisation, which include frequently visiting radical websites, sharing extremist content on social media, and expressing intent to engage in violence. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact the ISD hotline at 1800-2626-473.
A colonial legacy of control and a tool for security or suppression?
ISA was introduced in 1960 by the post-colonial Singapore government, building on colonial-era emergency regulations used to combat communist insurgencies during the 1950s.
The law grants authorities sweeping powers to detain individuals without trial for up to two years, with the possibility of indefinite renewals. Although its stated purpose is to protect national security and prevent threats such as terrorism or subversion, its application has been a point of contention.
Historically, the ISA has been criticised for its use beyond security threats, particularly during the 1960s and 1980s when political opponents and dissidents were detained without trial.
Detractors argue that the law has been used to stifle political dissent and silence critics, raising concerns about its lack of judicial oversight and potential for abuse. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have frequently called for the law to be reviewed or repealed.
The Singapore government defends the ISA as a critical tool in maintaining the country’s stability, pointing to its success in preventing terrorist attacks and countering extremism.
Authorities emphasise that safeguards are in place, such as regular reviews of detainees’ cases and oversight by the Minister for Home Affairs.
Despite these assurances, critics continue to call for greater transparency and judicial checks to prevent misuse.
