SINGAPORE: Three men, whose radicalisation was triggered or accelerated by the Gaza conflict, were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Thursday (9 January 2025).
ISD said the three Singaporeans were self-radicalised online and had made preparations to engage in armed violence overseas. While their cases were not connected, their radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the ongoing Gaza conflict, ISD reported.
Each of the three men had familiarised themselves with weapons, with one visiting a shooting range in Bangkok.
They were arrested in October 2024. Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, ISD has dealt with at least five Singaporeans whose radicalisation was influenced by the conflict.
Practised with toy guns
Muhammad Indra Aqmal Effendy, 21, a lift mechanic at the time of his arrest, started his radicalisation journey after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
He consumed online content about the Gaza situation, particularly videos showing Palestinian civilians killed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). He also encountered extremist materials about armed jihad and martyrdom.
Emotionally affected by the suffering of Palestinians, Indra developed a hatred for the IDF and a strong desire to fight for Hamas in Gaza. He considered this a legitimate form of armed jihad and aspired to die as a martyr while fighting.
To prepare for his trip to Gaza, Indra researched travel routes and connected with an online foreign contact in the Palestinian territories who he believed could help him navigate Gaza.
He also made efforts to be “combat-ready,” using his martial arts background to practise unarmed combat exercises at home.
Indra also practised reloading and pulling the trigger with toy guns daily to enhance his muscle memory in weapons handling. Additionally, he searched for shooting ranges in Batam to train with live firearms.
Visited shooting range in Bangkok
Mohamad Latiff Rahim, 41, a digital marketing company director at the time of his arrest, began his radicalisation in 2010 after engaging with online content about Islamic eschatological prophecies.
Over the years, he grew convinced that the End-of-Times was approaching and that it was his religious duty to join the mujahideen in fighting against the “enemies of Islam.”
Hamas’ attacks on 7 October 2023, and the subsequent involvement of Iran in the conflict, further convinced Latiff that the End-of-Times was imminent.
This increased his desire to engage in armed violence, and he considered the IDF and the Israeli government as enemies.
Latiff, a Shi’ite Muslim, believed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would lead the mujahideen against the enemies during the End-of-Times.
He was ready to respond to a call for jihad, either by joining Iran’s military forces or militant groups such as Hezbollah.
Before the conflict, Latiff had already begun preparing for armed conflict. In September 2022, he visited a shooting range in Bangkok to familiarise himself with firearms.
He also ramped up his physical training in early 2024, practising stabbing and slashing motions with kitchen knives several times a month.
Planned to visit shooting range in Batam
Nurisham Yusoff, 44, a security guard at the time of his arrest, became interested in Islamic eschatology in 2020 and was exposed to radical preachers such as Azhar Idrus and Wadi Annuar.
He came to believe that martyrdom was the easiest way to atone for his sins and secure a place in Heaven during the impending End-of-Times.
Following Hamas’ attacks, Nurisham consumed extremist materials about the conflict and became convinced that it was his religious duty to fight alongside Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades (AQB), in Gaza. He saw this as a legitimate form of armed jihad and believed it would lead to martyrdom.
Nurisham also researched how to enter Gaza and posted extensively on social media about the conflict and AQB, hoping someone would facilitate his travel. He believed his military training from his time in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would be useful in his jihad. Additionally, he planned to visit a shooting range in Batam to improve his firearms handling.
Defence Ministry response
In response to media queries, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said that Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) security systems and processes are in place to screen personnel for potential security threats.
“It is a legitimate concern that national servicemen could use their skills to commit criminal acts or acts of terrorism,” a MINDEF spokesperson stated.
The Military Security Department (MSD) regularly screens for potential threats and works closely with other security agencies.
SAF commanders also engage regularly with soldiers to promote cohesion and mutual understanding, MINDEF added.
Acted alone
ISD clarified that all three men acted alone, and there was no evidence they had radicalised or recruited others in Singapore.
Their families were unaware of their plans to engage in armed violence.
“These three cases highlight how overseas conflicts can impact Singapore’s security,” said ISD.
Despite the year-long duration of the Gaza conflict, extremist narratives related to the conflict continue to thrive.
ISD urged the public to remain vigilant against radical elements and extremist views that could justify terrorism and violent extremism.
“We will take firm action against any individual in Singapore who supports, promotes, undertakes or makes preparations to undertake armed violence,” the agency said.
