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 July 2023.  They had shown good progress in their rehabilitation and were assessed to no longer pose a security threat requiring preventive detention.   They are:

(a) Suderman bin Samikin (aged 51), who was detained under the ISA in July 2019 as he was a staunch supporter of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and had planned to travel to Syria to join the group.  He was released on a Restriction Order (RO)¹  in July 2023; and

(b) Mustafa bin Sultan Ali (aged 60), who had travelled to Turkey in June 2015 with the intention of crossing into Syria to join and fight for ISIS.  He was arrested by Turkish authorities and deported to Singapore, and subsequently detained under the ISA in July 2015.  He was released on a RO in July 2023.  

Lapse of Restriction Orders

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

(a) Mohamed Fairuz bin Junaidi (aged 43), who supported ISIS and had considered travelling to Syria to join the group.  He was issued with a RO in March 2019, and his RO was allowed to lapse in March 2023; 

(b) Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari (aged 28), who supported ISIS and was prepared to undergo training and engage in armed combat with ISIS in Syria.  She was detained in June 2017 and released on a RO in June 2019.  Her RO was allowed to lapse in June 2023; 

(c) Amiruddin bin Sawir (aged 60), who was involved in the armed conflict in Yemen when he was studying there between 2013 and 2015.  He was detained in August 2015 and released on a RO in August 2017.  His RO was allowed to lapse in August 2023; and

(d) Abu Thalha bin Samad (aged 32), a former Jemaah Islamiyah member who was detained in September 2017 following his deportation from a regional country. He was released on a RO in September 2019, and his RO was allowed to lapse in September 2023.  

[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.