Updates on Terrorism-Related Cases Under the Internal Security Act

Release from Detention

1.    Two self-radicalised Singaporeans were released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in August 2021.  They had shown good progress in their rehabilitation and were assessed to no longer pose a security threat requiring preventive detention.  They are:

a.    Muhammad Shamin bin Mohamed Sidek (aged 35), who was detained under the ISA in August 2015 as he was a staunch supporter of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and was willing to fight and die for the group.  He was released on a Restriction Order (RO) ^[1] in August 2021; and

b.    Mohamed Omar bin Mahadi (aged 38), who was detained under the ISA in August 2016 as he had wanted to join and fight alongside ISIS.  He was released on a Suspension Direction (SD) ^[2] in August 2021.

Lapse of Restriction Orders

2.    The ROs issued against six Singaporeans were allowed to lapse upon their expiry as they had shown good progress in their rehabilitation. They are:

a.    Mohamad Rizal bin Wahid (aged 41), who had supported his former colleague’s plan to engage in armed violence overseas.  He was issued with a RO in June 2017.  His RO was allowed to lapse in June 2021;

b.    Shakirah Begam binte Abdul Wahab (aged 27), who was a contact of foreign terrorist fighters in Syria.  She was issued with a RO in August 2017.  Her RO was allowed to lapse in August 2021;

c.    Mohammad Razif bin Yahya (aged 33), who was involved in the armed conflict in Yemen.  He was detained in August 2015 and released on a SD in October 2016.  He was subsequently issued with a RO in August 2017.  His RO was allowed to lapse in August 2021;

d.    Muhammad Harith Jailani (aged 24), a self-radicalised individual who had made preparations to join and fight for ISIS in Syria.  He was detained in August 2015 and released on a RO in August 2017.  His RO was allowed to lapse in August 2021;

e.   Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri (aged 23), a self-radicalised individual who had supported ISIS and considered fighting for the group in Syria.  He was issued with a RO in September 2017.  His RO was allowed to lapse in September 2021; and

f.    Munavar Baig Amina Begam (aged 42), a self-radicalised individual who had supported ISIS and wanted to travel to Syria to join the group.  She was detained in November 2017 and released on a SD in July 2018.  She was subsequently issued with a RO in November 2019.  Her RO was allowed to lapse in November 2021.

Internal Security Department
14 December 2021

[1] A person issued with a RO must abide by several conditions and restrictions.  For example, the individual is not permitted to change his or her residence or employment, or travel out of Singapore, without the approval of the Director ,ISD.  The individual also cannot access the Internet or social media, issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute, contribute to any publication, hold office in, or be a member of any organisation, association or group, without the approval of Director, ISD.

[2] A SD is a Ministerial direction to suspend the operation of an existing Order of Detention. The Minister for Home Affairs may revoke the SD and the individual will be re-detained, if he does not comply with any of the conditions stipulated in the SD.  Among the conditions are that he is prohibited from associating with any militant or terrorist groups or individuals, and he is not allowed to leave the country without the prior written approval of the Director, ISD.