15-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) In an unprecedented development that has sent shockwaves through Singapore’s security establishment, a 14-year-old Secondary 3 student has become the youngest individual ever to be issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA). This startling revelation, announced by the Internal Security Department (ISD) on 15th July, has sparked intense debate about the vulnerability of youth to online radicalisation.
The teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, is one of two Singaporeans recently placed under restriction orders. The other is An’nadya An’nahari, a 33-year-old former public servant who was employed as a manager at a statutory board at the time of investigation.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam expressed grave concern over the case, stating, “Worryingly, he is the youngest ISA case today. And you know, it took only a few months for him to be radicalised.” The minister further revealed that the youth had contemplated attacks on non-Muslims in Singapore during festivals such as Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Deepavali, which he deemed “un-Islamic”.
According to the ISD, the teenager’s radicalisation journey began in the wake of Hamas’ attacks on Israel on 7th October 2023. Extensive consumption of pro-Hamas content and news online led him to view Palestinian militant groups as legitimate defenders of Palestine by January 2024. His beliefs escalated to the point where he considered the October attacks justified and viewed “Zionists” as enemies to be eliminated.
In a particularly alarming development, the youth attempted to recruit schoolmates into his radical ideology. He created an online chat group, aiming to enlist 60 to 100 individuals, and shared videos depicting himself as a terrorist fighter. The ISD noted that his actions were inspired by Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida.
The case of An’nadya An’nahari presents a different facet of radicalisation. The 33-year-old reportedly supported the axis of resistance (AOR), a network of Islamist militant and terrorist organisations, and advocated violence against Israelis and Jews.
These cases highlight the ongoing impact of overseas conflicts on Singapore’s domestic security landscape. Minister Shanmugam emphasised that while many Singaporeans sympathise with the Palestinian cause, support for armed violence cannot be tolerated.
The ISD has outlined rehabilitation programmes for both individuals, including religious counselling by the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) to address misperceptions. For the teenager, additional support will be provided to ensure his studies are not disrupted.
This incident marks a significant shift in the age profile of radicalised individuals in Singapore. Since 2015, the ISD has dealt with 13 radicalised persons aged 20 and below under the ISA. The previous youngest case was a 15-year-old detained in December 2022.
