Singapore detains 17-year-old, restricts 15-year-old girl under ISA for self-radicalisation

Singapore has detained a 17-year-old male and imposed restrictions on a 15-year-old girl under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for self-radicalisation. The Internal Security Department (ISD) revealed on 2 April that the 17-year-old had planned attacks on mosques, influenced by violent far-right ideologies. He was an online contact of Nick Lee Xing Qiu, an 18-year-old detained in December 2024 for similar extremist beliefs. The 15-year-old girl, meanwhile, is the first female and second-youngest individual to be dealt with under the ISA. An Islamic State (IS) supporter, she was placed on a restriction order after attempting to radicalise others and planning to travel to Syria to join the terrorist group.

Radicalisation and planned attacks

The 17-year-old’s extremist beliefs developed in 2022 after exposure to Islamophobic and far-right extremist content online. According to ISD, he was influenced by the Great Replacement Theory, a conspiracy that claims white populations in the West are being displaced by non-white immigrants. He falsely believed that Singapore was experiencing a similar phenomenon. His radicalisation escalated in November 2023 when he viewed an edited video of Brenton Tarrant’s 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. The video, which depicted Muslims being killed, reinforced his belief that far-right terrorism was justified. By early 2024, he had begun planning attacks on local mosques, intending to use firearms to "maximise casualties." He sought to obtain an AK-47 rifle, reaching out to a US-based online contact who claimed to be a gun maker. However, attempts to acquire weapons, including smuggling guns from Malaysia and modifying replica firearms, were unsuccessful. He shortlisted five mosques—Masjid Maarof, Masjid Jamek Queenstown, Masjid Darussalam, Masjid An-Nur, and Masjid Hajjah Fatimah—as potential targets. He planned to attack after Friday prayers to ensure a high number of casualties. ISD said he hoped to kill at least 100 Muslims, surpassing the death toll of previous far-right attacks.

Self-radicalisation of 15-year-old girl

The 15-year-old girl’s radicalisation began in June 2023 when she encountered IS propaganda online. Within weeks, she was convinced that IS was a legitimate religious army defending Muslims in Iraq and Syria. Her primary goal was to support IS by marrying a militant and raising a pro-IS family. To fulfil this ambition, she took a virtual pledge of allegiance to an IS chatbot in July 2023. ISD noted that she considered herself an official member of the terrorist group from that point onwards. Between September 2023 and April 2024, she searched online for flights from Singapore to Syria and explored ways to fund her travel. She was in at least eight online romantic relationships with overseas-based IS supporters, including an alleged fighter in Syria. While her focus was on marriage, she also aspired to become a female fighter and hoped to die as a martyr. Influenced by IS propaganda, she believed she could receive weapons training in Syria.

Attempts to radicalise others

ISD’s investigation revealed that the girl actively spread extremist content online. She frequently reposted IS propaganda, including terrorist chants, and shared radical material with schoolmates. However, none of her peers reported her behaviour, and ISD confirmed she acted alone. Her mother was aware of her exposure to IS content and had advised against it. However, she did not believe the girl’s behaviour warranted further intervention.

Authorities urge vigilance

Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam, speaking at Masjid Maarof on 2 April, stressed the need for constant vigilance against radicalisation. “But as I keep saying, we have to get it right every time,” he said. “Those who are either on the far-right, or with tendencies towards extremism on the Islamic side, have to only get it right once, and they will kill some people. So we need to be very careful.” The minister highlighted that radicalised individuals often show warning signs, and it is crucial for family members and friends to alert the authorities early. “There are likely to be other radicalised individuals in Singapore consuming such material and considering attacks,” he warned.

Rise in youth radicalisation

Since 2015, 17 youths aged 20 and below have been dealt with under the ISA for self-radicalisation. Nine of them had planned attacks in Singapore. ISD noted that those radicalised are getting younger, reflecting a worrying global trend. The case of the 15-year-old girl aligns with an international pattern of female teenagers aspiring to travel to Syria, either to fight for IS or to marry militants. “The threat posed by IS has not abated, sustained through its online propaganda efforts, virtual network of supporters, and global affiliates,” ISD stated. Similarly, far-right extremism is growing among Singaporean youths. All four individuals detained under the ISA for far-right extremism were influenced by materials from terrorists like Tarrant.

Public urged to report suspected cases

Authorities emphasised that self-radicalisation can happen rapidly. ISD noted that the 15-year-old girl was radicalised within weeks, demonstrating how quickly individuals can be drawn into extremist ideologies online. “Family members and friends are best placed to notice changes in behaviour and quickly alert the authorities if they suspect their loved ones have been radicalised,” ISD said. Shanmugam reiterated that many cases can be rehabilitated. He cited an earlier far-right extremist case where a detained youth, with guidance from a Christian pastor and academic support, successfully passed his O-Level examinations and was able to reintegrate into society. “He can look forward to a life rehabilitated, as opposed to getting himself killed in some venture,” the minister said. ISD said anyone who suspects an individual has been radicalised is encouraged to contact the ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre hotline at 1800-2626-473.