IN FOCUS: Singapore confronts emerging threat of far-right extremism

Outreach programmes by community organisations also help raise awareness of the dangers of radicalisation. These include forums and seminars held by the RRG – a group of volunteer Islamic scholars and teachers.

Then there is the ISA, which among other features allows the Singapore government to detain any imminent threat to the country’s security, for up to two years in the first instance.

Since the 9/11 terror attacks in the US in 2001, the Act has mainly been deployed against terrorism. 

Prof Gunaratna described it as Singapore’s “most effective law” and “an indispensable weapon”.

FIXING DEVIANT THINKING

If the ISA is Singapore’s most potent tool in the arsenal, then its secret weapon is rehabilitation.

Analysts said the country is building on its experience of reintegrating Islamic extremists, to develop capabilities to deradicalise far-right extremists, by working with both government and non-government entities.

It has already seen some early success in assembling mentors, educators and counsellors to “mainstream the deviant thinking of the far-right extremists”, said Prof Gunaratna, citing the release of the first such individual to be caught here.

Prof Ramakrishna explained that when it comes to identifying the behavioural indicators of far-right extremism, “in many ways it is a mirror image” of radicalisation by the likes of the Islamic State and Al Qaeda militant groups.

“Same essential process, if dissimilar ideological content,” he said.

Dr Mohamed said that since his RRG started work on its initial goal to rehabilitate detained Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists, over 90 per cent of the group have been eventually released and reintegrated back into society. The network is best known for plotting bomb attacks against Singapore in the early 2000s.

As the nature of terrorism and extremism threats evolved over the years, the RRG adjusted its approaches accordingly, to tackle among others the phenomenon of self-radicalisation first picked up in 2007 and with it, a younger demographic of detainees, he said.

The group continues to extend its remit. It played a part in rehabilitating the first far-right extremist detainee – a Christian who wanted to attack Muslims in Singapore.

Dr Mohamed said the RRG first shared with the National Council of Churches its experience in religious counseling over the years.

A Christian pastor then spoke to the youth. The RRG also sent one of its counsellors to address any misunderstandings the 16-year-old had, which might have given rise to his anti-Islamic sentiments.

Noting his Islamic community’s role in helping the very individual who wanted to attack people of their faith, Dr Mohamed said the main principle was to reform and guide the boy away from extremism.

“We should see that as the main objective, and not seek retaliation,” he said.

“He could have planned terrorist attacks at any other institution, regardless of the place of worship or the religious community targeted.

“But whether a church or mosque is attacked, the entire Singapore is still affected … it could disrupt the entire foundation of our religious harmony.”