Arrest and detention of a self-radicalised Singaporean under the Internal Security Act

1. Singaporean Mustafa bin Sultan Ali (Mustafa), aged 51, was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Jun 2015.  He had tried to join the terrorist group "Islamic State in Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) in Syria.  

2. In late May 2015, Mustafa left Singapore and went to a regional country from where he then boarded a flight to Turkey.  He had taken that travel route in the hope of hiding his tracks.  He planned to cross into Syria from the Turkish border.  In Turkey, he was detained by the local authorities and subsequently deported to Singapore in Jun 2015. 

3. Investigations showed that Mustafa had been deeply radicalised by the terrorist ideology of ISIS and other radical ideologues he had come across online.  He had travelled to Turkey and tried to make his way to Syria in order to participate in armed violence by fighting alongside ISIS.  Mustafa also said that he was prepared to carry out ISIS-directed terrorist attacks against Western establishments in Singapore.

4. Mustafa has been issued with a two-year Order of Detention in Jul 2015. 

5. The Government takes a very serious view of any form of support for terrorism, including but not limited to the use of violence, and will take firm and decisive action against any person who engages in such activities.  Anyone who is aware that someone is involved in terrorism-related activities, or who sees suspicious activities should promptly inform the Internal Security Department (1800-2626-473) or the Police (999).  A timely call can save lives.

Issued by:

Ministry of Home Affairs

28 July 2015