The Ministry of Home Affairs slapped a two-year detention order on two Singaporeans, who it said were sympathetic of the terrorist group that calls itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), under Singapore’s Internal Security Act.
The Ministry in a statement said Rosli Hamzah, a 50-year-old car washer, researched possible travel routes to Syria, while Omar Mahadi, a 33-year-old waste truck driver, “contacted militants for travel advice”. Both were allegedly “radicalized” after listening to a radio station based on the Indonesian island of Batam.
Two others were given Restriction Orders (RO), one of them being 34-year-old wife of Omar, Dian Faezah Ismail. MHA said she supported Omar’s intention to join ISIS and take up arms in Syria, and had helped him in his plans to relocate their family in Syria. She however moderated her views later, and agreed to undergo religious counselling.
The other issued with RO is Reiney Noor Mohd, a 26-year-old building technician. Reiney it said was prepared to die in battle for ISIS as he thought it would make him a martyr. He also intended to bring his family with him to Syria. Reiney however moderated his views after he read negative reports about the group.
A person issued with a RO must abide by several conditions and restrictions. For example, he is not permitted to change his residence or employment, or travel out of Singapore, without the prior approval of the Director of Internal Security Department (ISD). The individual issued with RO also cannot 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 prior approval of Director ISD.
The MHA’s press release also flagged Radio Hang which operates out of Batam in its report and said it sometimes features speakers who preach extreme religious views.