MHA ‘monitoring activities’ of Singaporean in IS video
A Singaporean fighter by the alias of "Abu Uqayl" has appeared in an ISIS video. Photo: Facebook screencap
SINGAPORE — A Singaporean fighter known as "Abu Uqayl" has appeared in an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) propaganda video, possibly the first from the Republic to feature in the terrorist group's recruitment material.
And the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Sunday (Sept 24) that its security agencies have been aware of his presence in Syria "for some time now".
The MHA believes that the person in the video is Megat Shahdan Abdul Samad, 39, who left Singapore in 2014 to work in the Middle East, where he is said to have been radicalised before he made his way to Syria to join Isis.
"(We) have been monitoring his activities," the MHA said in a statement, which Home Affairs and Law Minister also posted on his Facebook page. The ministry also disclosed that it had previously shared Shahdan's case confidentially with local community leaders.
On the video released by Isis, the fighter identifies himself as "Abu Uqayl" from Singapore.
Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Shanmugam said the MHA had expected such a scenario to emerge, and noted that the footage was a propaganda video calling for jihad.
He added that the Internal Security Department had moved early to deal with individuals showing signs of radicalisation in Singapore. "Over time, we must assume more of this will happen," said Mr Shanmugam.
The MHA is urging anyone who is in contact with or knows of anyone in contact with Shahdan to report it to the authorities.
It added: "The Government takes a very serious view of anyone who supports, promotes, undertakes or make preparations to undertake armed violence, regardless of how they rationalise such violence or where the violence takes place."
In July, a Singaporean man and woman were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for engaging in terrorism-related activities.
Imran Kassim, 34, the managing director of logistics firm Novo Logistics, was detained for intending to undertake armed violence overseas, while administrative assistant Shakirah Begam Abdul Wahab, 23, was issued with a restriction order.
She had initiated and maintained contact with foreign terrorist fighters.
Dr Rohan Gunaratna, the head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the latest news should "come as a warning to the region of IS' future intentions".
The professor of security studies added, however, that it should "strengthen the resolve of all citizens and residents of Singapore to work together to secure Singapore", instead of causing alarm.
With the IS' base in the Middle East weakening, "it's expanding in regions with big Muslim populations", Dr Gunaratna told TODAY.
"(It) plans to deepen its ideological and operational influence in South-east Asia," he added, noting that Shahdan is believed to be the first Singaporean to be featured in IS propaganda material.
