“CANNOT ALLOW EXTREMIST NARRATIVES TO TAKE ROOT”
The 17-year-old’s case also shows how terrorist groups, including those like Islamic State, which are not directly involved in the Israel-Hamas war, “can and will” take advantage of the conflict to recruit and radicalise others.
It is thus important to make sure people in Singapore remain vigilant against imbibing radical materials or becoming radicalised themselves, he added.
“We cannot allow extremist narratives to take root in our society, threaten our security and social harmony.”
Society, too, has to work to make sure people do not feel marginalised as this may give “greater room for radicalisation”, said the minister.
While Singapore is doing this “reasonably better” than many other places, he urged people not to take the country’s safety for granted.
On the public’s role in dealing with threats of radicalisation, Mr Shanmugam said that in the case of the 17-year-old, his parents could have alerted the authorities when the youth disregarded their advice against watching videos of foreign preachers.
“It really would be good if family members and friends reported to the authorities quickly if they suspect that someone they know is being radicalised.
“This helps us to stop them from killing themselves, because they will die in the process. It allows us to try and rehabilitate them.”
He added that the cases picked up by authorities are often reported by parents, family members and teachers, and “quite often” when they are alerted, the “person will not even be detained”.
“If the person is very young, in the early stage of radicalisation, ISD can arrange for other interventions such as religious counselling without arresting or detaining them,” Mr Shanmugam said.
“So the community is a very important line of defence.”
