Counter-terrorism in Singapore

Singapore's main counter-terrorism strategy includes cooperation with regional and international partners to achieve a transnational landscape of security. Singapore is instrumental in the passage of international initiatives such as the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 which established the legal basis for international action against terrorism.{{Cite book|title=Changing Landscapes of Singapore: Old Tensions, New Discoveries|last1=Ho|first1=Elaine Lynn-Ee|last2=Woon|first2=Chih|last3=Ramdas|first3=Kamalini|publisher=NUS Press|year=2013|isbn=9789971697723|location=Singapore|pages=184}} It is also at the forefront of the Southeast Asian counter-terrorism efforts{{Cite book |last= |title=Singapore: Recent Economic and Political Developments Yearbook |publisher=International Business Publications |year=2008 |isbn=978-1433062520 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=152}} and a United States partner in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) that aims to combat the illicit trade and spread of weapons of mass destruction.{{Cite book|title=Handbook Of Terrorism In The Asia-pacific|last1=Rohan|first1=Gunaratna|last2=Yee|first2=Kam Stefanie|publisher=Imperial college Press|year=2016|isbn=9781783269952|location=London|pages=19}}

In recent years,{{When|date=April 2022}} Singapore's counter-terrorism initiatives have created political criticism from the country's Muslim population.{{Cite book|title=Singapore's Foreign Policy: The Search for Regional Order|last=Amitav|first=Acharya|publisher=World Scientific|year=2008|isbn=9789812708595|location=New Jersey|pages=90}} This was particularly pronounced when Singapore joined the international community's call for Iraq's disarmament, which eventually led to the American invasion of the country.

{{See also|Timeline of Singaporean history}}

These are the events related to terrorism and counter-terrorism in Singapore.

On 31 January 1974, four armed men from the terrorist groups Japanese Red Army and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine attacked the Shell oil refinery complex on Pulau Bukom and later hijacked the ferryboat Laju and took its five crew members hostage. The crisis was resolved after the Singapore government exchanged the hostages with four commandos from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and eight other local government officials and was led by S. R. Nathan, Director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID) at the Ministry of Defence, and provided the terrorists safe passage to the Middle East.{{cite book |last1=Squire |first1=Thomas A. |title=Always a Commando : the life of Singapore army pioneer Clarence Tan |year=2019 |isbn=978-9814779319 |pages=242–253}}{{cite news |date=8 Oct 1985 |title=Ship Hijackings Are A Rare Occurrence, Often Complicated With AM-Ship Hijack, Bjt |agency=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/a0644520747fa1b8983dc227876d93e2}}

The incident was Singapore's first encounter with international terrorism. It also directly contributed to the beginning of the establishment of full-time National Service for the country's police force in 1975, one year after the incident, referred to as Police National Service (PNS), which was aimed at, initially, raising a sizeable source of manpower for the police in the event of another terrorist incident on vital installations and the provision of protection and security for the latter against the former.{{cite web |date= |title=Laju hijacking |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1372_2009-01-15.html |work=Infopedia}}

Total Defence was officially proclaimed as Singapore's overarching defence strategy on 22 January 1984 with five elements: military, civil, economic, social, and psychological.{{cite news |date=22 January 1984 |title=Total Defence |work=Singapore Monitor |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/singmonitor19840122-1.1.9 |access-date=22 April 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Wai |first1=Ronnie |last2=Chew |first2=Lillian |last3=Jacob |first3=Paul |date=22 January 1984 |title=Total Defence – What it means |work=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19840122-1.2.43 |access-date=22 April 2021}}

• The Singapore Special Operations Force (SOF) was formed in secret.

• May 1990– The elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) is formed.

• 26 March 1991– Four Pakistanis hijacked Singapore Airlines Flight 117 and demanded the release of Pakistan Peoples Party members from Pakistani jails.
• 27 March 1991 – Singapore Special Operations Force commandos stormed Singapore Airlines Flight 117, killing all hijackers and freeing all passengers and crew members.

• 10 September 1992 – Special Operations Command (SOC) was formed, combining the Police Tactical Team (PTT), Police Tactical Unit (PTU) and Police Dog Unit under one wing.

• 9 December 2001 – 15 militants of Jemaah Islamiyah are arrested for the Singapore embassies attack plot.{{Cite web |url=http://www2.mha.gov.sg/mha/detailed.jsp?artid=667&type=4&root=0&parent=0&cat=0&mode=arc |title=News@Home |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050728090201/http://www2.mha.gov.sg/mha/detailed.jsp?artid=667&type=4&root=0&parent=0&cat=0&mode=arc |archive-date=28 July 2005 |url-status=dead }}

• August 2002– Singapore arrests another 21 members of Jemaah Islamiyah.

• 17 January 2003 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group conducts Exercise Diamond Shield to demonstrate chemical and biological defence capability.
• March 2003 – Chemical Verification Laboratory is certified by Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as a designated laboratory for the testing of chemical warfare agents.
• 14 August 2003 – Air Marshal Unit is formed to counter terrorism threats against civil aviation.{{cite web|url=http://www.singapore-window.org/sw03/030814af.htm|title=Singapore passes law allowing air marshals on SIA, Silk Air|website=www.singapore-window.org}}
• 1 October 2003 – The first Special Rescue Battalion of the Singapore Civil Defence Force is formed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.scdf.gov.sg/html/abtus/abt09_milestones_2003-2004.html |title=Milestones |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050828152115/http://www.scdf.gov.sg/html/abtus/abt09_milestones_2003-2004.html |archive-date=28 August 2005 |url-status=dead }}

• 6 May 2004 – Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong delivers a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. titled "Beyond Madrid: Winning Against Terrorism".{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication.html?id=7004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208042729/http://www.cfr.org/publication.html?id=7004|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2008|title=Beyond Madrid: Winning Against Terrorism - Council on Foreign Relations|date=8 February 2008}}

• 15 August 2005 – The newly established Police MRT Unit (now known as the Public Transport Security Command) begins operational patrols on the Mass Rapid Transit network to enhance the security of Singapore's public transport.
• 15 August 2005 – Singapore hosts a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, codenamed Exercise Deep Sabre as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative.
• 25 August 2005 – French investigating magistrate Jean-Louis Bruguière singles out Singapore along with Tokyo and Sydney as potential terrorism targets of the Al-Qaeda.{{cite web |url=http://news.ft.com/cms/s/33cb0c4c-15a8-11da-8085-00000e2511c8.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905202512/http://news.ft.com/cms/s/33cb0c4c-15a8-11da-8085-00000e2511c8.html |archive-date=5 September 2005 |title=FT.com / World / Asia-Pacific - Al-Qaeda 'preparing to attack' Asian city}} Ministry of Home Affairs later denied receiving any specific information on imminent terrorist threat.{{cite web |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165133/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126230528/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165133/1/.html |archive-date=26 November 2005 |title=Channelnewsasia.com}}
• 21 – 25 November 2005 – Singapore hosts the Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference.

• 8 January 2006 – Exercise Northstar V, a large scale counter-terrorism exercise similar to 7 July 2005 London bombings, was held in Singapore.

• 6 July to 30 September 2009 – Exercise Northstar VII, large scale counter-terrorism exercise similar to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, and the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, was held in Singapore. Places that had been involved were VivoCity, Sentosa, Raffles Place, Bedok, Tampines, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, and Orchard Road.

• 19 May 2010 – A marked map of the SMRT network with Orchard station circled on it was found in the home of a terror suspect killed in Indonesia; it was reported that he had planned an attack on Singapore by entering through Malaysia.{{cite news |title=Orchard MRT targeted |newspaper=The Straits Times | location=Singapore |date=19 May 2010 |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_528462.html}}
• 9 November 2010 – Exercise Times Square Conducted. The exercise, named after a car bomb attack in May 2010 at New York's Times Square which was foiled by public vigilance, involved similar circumstances whereby suspicious looking cars were placed in nine locations across Singapore. The findings of the exercise revealed that public vigilance was extremely low, as only 52 out of 7,200 passers-by contacted the authorities.{{cite news|title=If you see a car smoking, what will you do?|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101110-246517.html|access-date=19 October 2012|newspaper=MyPaper|date=10 November 2010}}

• 3 October to 15 November 2012 – Exercise Heartbeat 2012 was conducted. It was placed at locations, such as ION Orchard, Marina Centre, Marina Bay and Sentosa.

• 18 November 2013 – Exercise Heartbeat 2013 was conducted, placed at random locations, such as Greenview Secondary School, ITE College Central, Plaza Singapura, one-North and Raffles Place SSWG buildings. In this exercise, two "gunmen" hijacked a police car after opening fire at Raffles Place, and then drove away. The gunmen were later shot dead by the police officers at Queenstown Secondary School. Police officers later confiscated the explosive devices.

• 3 April 2014 – Exercise Heartbeat 2014 is conducted at Temasek Polytechnic.
• 10 October 2014 – Exercise Heartbeat 2014 is conducted at ITE College East.
• 26 October & 27 October 2014 – Exercise Heartbeat 2014 is conducted at Tampines GreenTerrace, Downtown MRT station, Marina Bay Link Mall, IMM Building, Blk 287A Jurong East Street 21, ITE College West and Fengshan area. It had simulated grenade explosion at IMM Building and Downtown MRT station, hostage-taking and gunmen firing at Marina Bay Link Mall, IMM Building, Blk 287A Jurong East Street 21 and ITE College West. Next to Blk 84 Bedok North Road Market also had the car on fire, part of Exercise Heartbeat 2014. At Tampines GreenTerrace; a Traffic Police car caught fire.

• 27 January 2015 – Due to the Charlie Hebdo shootings and the Sydney hostage crisis; Exercise Heartbeat 2015 was conducted at Eastpoint Mall and Northpoint Shopping Centre.
• 18 November 2015 – After the November 2015 Paris attacks, President Tony Tan expressed his condolences saying "As France mourns the victims, Singapore stands in solidarity with the French people in this difficult time" while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong condemned the attacks, calling them "heinous" and "an attack on our shared humanity."{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-leaders-send/2260788.html|title=Singapore leaders send condolence letters to French counterparts following Paris attacks|publisher=Channel News Asia|date=14 November 2015|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116111530/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-leaders-send/2260788.html|url-status=dead}} Within days, the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence continued Exercise Heartbeat 2015 with emergency preparedness exercises on 18 November 2015 at Toa Payoh HDB Hub and Marina Bay One Marina Boulevard (OMB) and City Hall Esplanade Park,{{cite news|last1=Ngau|first1=Kai Yan|title=Exercise Heartbeat in pictures: Simulated terror drill at the heart of Singapore|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/exercise-heartbeat-in/2271306.html|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125192305/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/exercise-heartbeat-in/2271306.html|url-status=dead}} as well as at Sentosa on 23 November 2015.{{cite web|title=EXERCISE HEARTBEAT 2015|url=http://www.police.gov.sg/mic/2015/11/20151115_others_exercise_heartbeat.html|publisher=SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE|access-date=25 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126063427/http://www.police.gov.sg/mic/2015/11/20151115_others_exercise_heartbeat.html|archive-date=26 November 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=The Straits Times – Paris attacks give Home Team exercise new significance|url=http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-paris-attacks-give-home-team-exercise-new-significance|website=Government of Singapore|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|access-date=25 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126044522/http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-paris-attacks-give-home-team-exercise-new-significance|archive-date=26 November 2015|df=dmy-all}}

• 30 June 2016 – The Minister of Defence announced the formation of the Army Deployment Force, which is a battalion-sized unit fully staffed with regular SAF servicemen. The unit will respond rapidly to terrorist attacks in Singapore alongside the Home Team. It will also work with the Island Defence Task Force and Special Operations Task Force in times of emergencies. It may be activated for overseas humanitarian or peace support operations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-saf-unit-to-boost/2917980.html|title=New SAF unit to boost Singapore's response to terror attacks|access-date=1 July 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701133831/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-saf-unit-to-boost/2917980.html|url-status=dead}}
• 5 August 2016 – Members of a terror cell in Indonesia arrested for plotting to fire a rocket at Marina Bay Sands from Batam island.{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/plot-to-hit-singapore-s-marina-bay-with-rocket-from-batam-foiled-7869776|title=Plot to hit Singapore's Marina Bay with rocket from Batam foiled|website=CNA|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135624/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/plot-to-hit-singapore-s-marina-bay-with-rocket-from-batam-foiled-7869776|url-status=dead}}
• 17 October 2016 – The Singapore Armed Forces staged the largest counter-terror exercise in the nation's history. The SAF was deployed to defend against mock attacks at key installations around the island. Home Team and the Singapore Civil Defence Force were deployed to counter a mock hostage taking at Bishan Mall. The exercise was the largest in Singaporean history, involving over 3200 officers. It was conducted with the mission statement to raise public awareness of "the current threat landscape and to encourage continued vigilance."{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-stages-its-biggest-anti-terror-exercise|title=S'pore stages its biggest anti-terror exercise|first=Danson CheongChina|last=Correspondent|date=18 October 2016|via=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/simulated-attacks-at-multiple-locations-test-singapore-s-counter/3213928.html|title=Simulated attacks at multiple locations test Singapore's counter-terrorism response|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019163925/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/simulated-attacks-at-multiple-locations-test-singapore-s-counter/3213928.html|url-status=dead}}

In 2019, digital defence was added as the sixth element of Total Defence, with the government highlighting increasing threats in the cybersphere.{{cite news |last1=Baharudin |first1=Hariz |date=15 February 2019 |title=Digital defence to be sixth pillar of Total Defence |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/digital-defence-to-be-sixth-pillar-of-total-defence |access-date=22 April 2021}}

• 27 January 2021 – the Internal Security Department reported that it had arrested a 16-year old Protestant youth under the Internal Security Act in late 2020 for plotting to attack two local mosques on the anniversary of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. The youth was inspired by the actions of Brenton Tarrant and expressed anti-Muslim sentiments. He is the youngest person and first far right extremist to be charge under the ISA.{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Min Zhang |title=16-year old Singaporean detained under ISA for planning terror attacks on two mosques |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/16-year-old-detained-under-isa-for-planning-terrorist-attacks-at-two-mosques-in-singapore |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=The Straits Times |date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127112850/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/16-year-old-detained-under-isa-for-planning-terrorist-attacks-at-two-mosques-in-singapore |archive-date=27 January 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Mahmud |first1=Aqil Haziq |title=16-year-old Singaporean detained under ISA after planning to attack Muslims at 2 mosques |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/16-year-old-singaporean-detained-isa-planned-attack-2-mosques-14052400 |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=Channel News Asia |date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127222628/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/16-year-old-singaporean-detained-isa-planned-attack-2-mosques-14052400 |archive-date=27 January 2021|url-status=live}}
• 10 March 2021 – the Internal Security Department reported that it had detained a 20-year old national serviceman named Amirull Ali in February 2021 under the Internal Security Act for plotting to attack three Jewish worshippers at the Maghain Aboth Synagogue in retaliation for the Israel–Palestine conflict. Ali had reportedly also planned to travel to Gaza to join Hamas' military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.{{cite news |last1=Baharuddin |first1=Hariz |title=Singaporean youth detained under ISA for planning knife attack on Jews leaving synagogue |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singaporean-youth-detained-under-isa-for-planning-knife-attack-on-jews-leaving-synagogue |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=The Straits Times |date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310153031/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singaporean-youth-detained-under-isa-for-planning-knife-attack-on-jews-leaving-synagogue |archive-date=10 March 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Jaipragas |first1=Bhavan |title=Singapore detains man who plotted knife attack on Jews; considers tighter security at places of worship |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3124875/singapore-detains-man-who-plotted-knife-attack-jews-considers |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310114048/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3124875/singapore-detains-man-who-plotted-knife-attack-jews-considers |archive-date=10 March 2021|url-status=live}}
• 24 January 2024 - the ISD confirmed it had issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act against a 16-year old Chinese Singaporean youth who had aspired to carry out overseas attacks against African Americans, Arabs, and LGBTQ+ individuals in North America and Europe. The youth had been radicalised by far right online chat groups and channels. He identified as a White supremacist and subscribed to the Great Replacement theory. Under the restriction order, the youth is not allowed to change his residence, is barred from leaving Singapore, access the Internet or social media and issue public statements, without the approval of the director of the ISD.{{cite news |last1=Iau |first1=Jean |title=Self-radicalised S’porean, 16, who identified as white supremacist, given restriction order under ISA |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/self-radicalised-s-porean-16-who-identified-as-white-supremacist-given-restriction-order-under-isa |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127041051/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/self-radicalised-s-porean-16-who-identified-as-white-supremacist-given-restriction-order-under-isa |archive-date=27 January 2024}}
• 15 July 2024 - the ISD confirmed it had issued restriction orders against a 14-year old Singaporean teenager and former public servant An'nadya An'nahari, who had both been radicalised in response to the Gaza war. The teenager had wanted to fight for a prophesied Muslim army called the "Black Flag Army" and started an online chat group for the purpose of recruiting classmates for perpetrating terror attacks in Singapore. An'nahari had expressed support for the Islamist Axis of Resistance, a network of Islamist militant and terror groups including Hamas and the Houthi, and advocated violence against Israelis and Jews.{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Pei Ting |last2=Sun |first2=David |title=Self-radicalised S’porean teen, 14, and ex-public servant, 33, given ISA restriction orders |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/self-radicalised-s-porean-teen-14-and-ex-public-servant-33-given-isa-restriction-orders |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716033707/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/self-radicalised-s-porean-teen-14-and-ex-public-servant-33-given-isa-restriction-orders |archive-date=16 July 2024}}
• 18 October 2024 – Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam confirmed that a 17 year old youth had been arrested under the Internal Security Act for planning to attack non-Muslims in Tampines.{{cite news |last1=Ganesan |first1=Natasha |last2=Jacob |first2=Charmaine |title='Very close shave': Teen detained under ISA could have rampaged through crowded Tampines area, says Shanmugam |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tampines-hdb-terror-attack-teen-isd-arrest-isa-shanmugam-4687151 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Channel News Asia |date=18 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109122213/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tampines-hdb-terror-attack-teen-isd-arrest-isa-shanmugam-4687151 |archive-date=9 November 2024}}
• 9 January 2025 - the ISD confirmed it had detained three men under the Internal Security Act in October 2024 for making plans to acquire weapons and travel overseas to fight against Israel.{{cite news |last1=Sun |first1=David |title=Company director, mechanic and security guard detained by ISD after becoming self-radicalised |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/company-director-mechanic-and-security-guard-detained-by-isd-after-becoming-self-radicalised |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=9 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205053850/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/company-director-mechanic-and-security-guard-detained-by-isd-after-becoming-self-radicalised |archive-date=5 February 2025|url-status=live}}
• 10 February 2025:
• The ISD issued a restriction order against Singaporean housewife Hamizah Hamzah for running social media accounts promoting pro-Axis of Resistance and Hamas content. Her husband and cleaner Saharuddin Saari was deported to Malaysia in November 2024.{{cite news |title=Housewife, cleaner who supported Islamist militant and terrorist organisations dealt with by ISD |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housewife-cleaner-who-supported-islamist-militant-and-terrorist-organisations-dealt-with-by-isd |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210133241/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housewife-cleaner-who-supported-islamist-militant-and-terrorist-organisations-dealt-with-by-isd |archive-date=10 February 2025|url-status=live}}
• The ISD confirmed it had detained 18-year old Singaporean student Nick Lee Xing Qiu, who had expoused far right and neo-Nazi beliefs and views, in December 2024 for planning to attack Muslims at a mosque.{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Christine |title=S’porean teen influenced by far-right held by ISD, wanted to attack Muslims in a mosque |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sporean-student-18-with-far-right-beliefs-pretended-to-kill-muslims-in-online-games-held-by-isd |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=11 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211043451/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sporean-student-18-with-far-right-beliefs-pretended-to-kill-muslims-in-online-games-held-by-isd |archive-date=11 February 2025|url-status=live}}
• 11 February – The Ministry of Home Affairs confirms it has deported Iranian national Parvane Heidaridehkordi and her Malaysian husband Soo Thean Ling for running a travel company that sponsored visa applications by terrorism-linked foreigners seeking to enter Singapore. Authorities determined that the travel company was a front organisation controlled by an overseas-based foreigner.{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Kolette |title=S’pore to deport Iranian woman, Malaysian spouse after declaring them national security threats |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/iranian-woman-and-her-malaysian-husband-to-be-deported-and-banned-from-re-entering-singapore |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=11 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210175137/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/iranian-woman-and-her-malaysian-husband-to-be-deported-and-banned-from-re-entering-singapore |archive-date=10 February 2025}}

The main terrorist threat to Singapore is from Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which has links to al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf. Various members of Jemaah Islamiyah were known to have carried out the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005, as well as Jakarta bombings in 2003, 2004, and 2009.

After the September 11 attacks on the United States, an informant revealed information to the Singapore Internal Security Department regarding Muhammad Aslam Yar Ali Khan, a Singaporean of Pakistani descent, who was a member of a group partnered with Al-Qaeda. Muhammad Aslam Yar Ali Khan was placed under surveillance by Singapore Internal Security Department, after which he left for Pakistan on 4 October. This man was captured by Afghan Northern Alliance forces in Afghanistan. His interrogation led investigators to more Jemaah Islamiyah members in Singapore.

On 9 December 2001, 13 suspects were arrested. Soon after that, a video found in an abandoned house in Kabul, Afghanistan showed a narrator in Singapore describing how to attack Americans using explosives. Investigators found similar tapes at the residences of the arrested men. In all, 33 men were arrested in relation to this plot.{{Cite news |last=Bonner |first=Raymond |last2=Mydans |first2=Seth |date=26 January 2002 |title=A NATION CHALLENGED: TERROR'S OUTPOSTS; 'Sleeper Cells' in Singapore Show Al Qaeda's Long Reach |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/26/world/nation-challenged-terror-s-outposts-sleeper-cells-singapore-show-al-qaeda-s-long.html |access-date=6 December 2023}}

In August 2002, another 21 members of Jemaah Islamiyah were arrested, demolishing JI's Singaporean cell. Arrests were also made in Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. As of 11 November 2005, 36 alleged members of JI or the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were being detained under the Internal Security Act.{{ cite news | url = https://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/afx/2005/11/11/afx2331703.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013124954/http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/afx/2005/11/11/afx2331703.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 October 2007 | title=Islamic militant detained in Singapore under Internal Security Act – govt | publisher = AFX News Limited | date = 11 November 2005 }}

However, Singapore believes that Jemaah Islamiyah remains active in Southeast Asia and is recruiting new members.

On 25 August 2005, French investigating magistrate Jean-Louis Bruguière singled out Singapore along with Tokyo and Sydney as potential terrorism targets of the Al-Qaeda. [http://news.ft.com/cms/s/33cb0c4c-15a8-11da-8085-00000e2511c8.html] The Ministry of Home Affairs later responded that it had not received any specific information on imminent terrorist threat against Singapore, but added that security measures have been taken to strengthen security at borders, key infrastructure and iconic buildings.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2005 |title=Singapore takes seriously any info on threats against country: MHA |work=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165133/1/.html |url-status=dead |access-date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126230528/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165133/1/.html |archive-date=26 November 2005}}

The Singapore Police Force has in recent years enhanced security at various locations in the country.

On 15 August 2005, the newly established Public Transport Security Command began operational patrols on the Mass Rapid Transit network to protect the public transportation system. Personnel from the Special Operations Command (SOC) and the Gurkha Contingent (GC) have also been deployed to complement other police officers on patrol. In addition, the Police Coast Guard (PCG) stepped up its effort to inspect ferries and other vessels in Singapore territorial waters.

On 26 October 2005, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for Security and Defence S Jayakumar announced that Singapore was developing an early warning system, called the risk assessment and horizon scanning, to identify and assess new emerging threats to national security. The system, developed by the National Security Coordination Secretariat, will be put in place by mid-2007.{{cite web | url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/264941/1/.html | title=Singapore sets up new centre to enhance risk assessment capability | access-date=23 February 2011 | publisher=Channel NewsAsia | archive-date=28 June 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628191609/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/264941/1/.html | url-status=dead }}

At the forefront in the fight against terrorism are specialised military, law enforcement, and civil defence units, namely:

• Singapore Special Operations Force,
• Special Operations Command,
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group,
• Army Deployment Force

In May 2007, the parliament passed an amendment to the SAF Act, giving additional powers to the Singapore Armed Forces. A select group of about 2,000 SAF personnel will be trained to perform security operations in designated areas. These personnel, identified by a Military Security identification card, will be able to search, detain and use reasonable force against terror suspects.{{cite news | title = SAF given new powers to deal with changed security landscape | date = 21 May 2007 | publisher = Channel NewsAsia | author = Asha Popatlal | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/277507/1/.html | access-date = 22 May 2007 | archive-date = 23 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070523055227/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/277507/1/.html | url-status = dead }}

On 8 January 2006, a large scale emergency preparedness exercise was conducted. Codenamed Exercise Northstar V, it involved 22 agencies and 2,000 emergency personnel. An additional 3,400 commuters also participated in the exercise. The exercise involved a simulated terrorist bomb attack on four MRT stations (Raffles Place, Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh and Marina Bay) and one bus interchange (Toa Payoh). There were 500 mock casualties suffering from "injuries" caused by the "explosions" as well as chemical agents. The exercise is the largest civil emergency exercise ever staged in the country.{{cite news | url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/186433/1/.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001043739/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/186433/1/.html | title = Twenty-two agencies in Exercise Northstar V ready for action | publisher = Channel NewsAsia| date = 3 January 2006 |archive-date= 1 October 2007}}

The exercise started at 6:25 am local time on 8 January 2006, a Sunday, and lasted about three hours. To avoid public panic, announcements were made at the affected train stations as well as on television and radio, just before the exercise began. Prominent signages were also displayed.

Mock explosive devices, such as thunderflashes were detonated near-simultaneously in subway trains and station platforms at four MRT stations (Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay) and in a double decker bus at Toa Payoh Bus Interchange. A chemical agent attack was then simulated at Dhoby Ghaut at 6:45 am. An undetonated mock bomb was also placed at the Raffles Place. About 3,400 commuters who were on board the subway trains were evacuated during the drill. Services at 13 MRT stations were temporarily disrupted and roads within the vicinity were also closed to traffic. Shuttle buses were used to ferry commuters affected by the exercise.

Thunderflashes, smoke generators, and fire simulators were used to simulate the explosion and 500 simulated casualties were deployed to test emergency rescuers at the scene. These mock casualties carried tags to provide paramedics information on the extent of their injuries and this includes injuries related to bomb blasts, such as open wounds and burns. There were also some with injuries related to chemical agents. Dummy mannequins were also used to simulate casualties. 7 hospitals and 2 polyclinics were also involved in the drill as they received the mock casualties. In two hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, healthcare workers donned decontamination suits as they prepared to treat victims of chemical agents suspected to be sarin gas.[http://www.scdf.gov.sg/General/News/News_Releases/2006/newsrel_080106.html Official news release: Multi-agency Civil Emergency Exercise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025538/http://www.scdf.gov.sg/General/News/News_Releases/2006/newsrel_080106.html |date=27 September 2007 }} – Singapore Civil Defence Force, 8 January 2006

Officers from the London Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police, including Chief Constable Ian Johnston, were present to observe the exercise and to provide feedback to the authorities.[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/187146/1/.html Official news release: British Transport Police observe Exercise NorthStar V] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183604/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/187146/1/.html |date=30 September 2007 }} – Channel News Asia, 8 January 2006

Following the crackdown on the local Jemaah Islamiyah cell, then-Deputy-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong held dialogues with the leaders of the Muslim community. Details of the investigation were shared to explain that the arrests were not targeted at the Singapore Muslim community, or Islam. In schools and workplaces, inter-racial confidence circles were formed to promote inter-racial and inter-religious understanding between the different racial and religious communities, while Islamic scholars and counselors in Singapore participated in the rehabilitation of the detained JI members.

{{Portal|Singapore}}

• Kiddy Bag
• Religious Rehabilitation Group (Singapore)

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.ntu.edu.sg/idss/WorkingPapers/wp71.pdf "Constructing" the Jemaah Islamiyah Terrorist: A Preliminary Inquiry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050417001944/http://www.ntu.edu.sg/idss/WorkingPapers/wp71.pdf |date=17 April 2005 }} (PDF) – Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore, October 2004
• [http://www.observerindia.com/reports/maritime/psingapore.pdf Maritime Couner-Terrorism: A Singapore Perspective] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023201454/http://www.observerindia.com/reports/maritime/psingapore.pdf |date=23 October 2006 }} (PDF) – Joshua Ho, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore, 2004
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080208042729/http://www.cfr.org/publication.html?id=7004 Beyond Madrid: Winning Against Terrorism] – Speech by Goh Chok Tong at the Council on Foreign Relations (6 May 2004)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050826002750/http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/vol14no5/145.pdf Funding Terrorism in Southeast Asia: The Financial Network of Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah] (PDF) – National Bureau of Asian Research (December 2003)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20041124211112/http://www.crisisweb.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=1452 Jemaah Islamiyah in South East Asia: Damaged but Still Dangerous] – International Crisis Group (26 August 2003)
• [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/171401/1/.html Declaring JI a terror group is starting point in fight against terror: Dr Gunaratna] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313163406/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/171401/1/.html |date=13 March 2006 }} – Channel NewsAsia (2 October 2005)
• [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Asean_leaders_ink_terrorism_pact/articleshow/1171728.cms Asean leaders ink terrorism pact]

{{Asia topic|Terrorism in|IL=Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict }}