Singapore Armed Forces' Contribution to Fight against ISIS

Approximately 350 Southeast Asians, including from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, are reportedly in Iraq and Syria – 350 Southeast Asians. Many of them have joined ISIS and may return to threaten our security here, as the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces warned recently.

Page: 21

The threats to our region are, indeed, real. Some Malaysians and Indonesians are fighting for ISIS and have formed a militant group called Majmu'ah Al Arkhabily or "Group from the Archipelago" from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, in other words, an archipelagic group here. This group adds to the threat from existing terrorist networks, such as JI.

Leaders of organised militant groups in this region, such as Abu Bakar Bashir in Indonesia, have also pledged allegiance to ISIS and declared their similar intent to establish an Islamic State in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, the authorities arrested militants in April this year and these militants were inspired by ISIS and had planned to attack pubs, a disco and a brewery in Malaysia.

ISIS, AQ, JI and their supporters target Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia because they have three goals in common. First, the political aim to overthrow legitimate governments and establish an Islamic caliphate through violence and brutality, including against innocent civilians. Second, using twisted religious beliefs to mislead and radicalise followers to commit atrocities, even suicide attacks, for their political goals. And, lastly, ISIS, like AQ, has ambitions to extend and entrench its terror network beyond its region.

For ISIS, two additional factors are of concern. ISIS can potentially sustain its efforts for a protracted period from the rich oil resources in occupied territories. ISIS has also embarked on an effective recruitment strategy, including the sophisticated use of the Internet and social media, to attract jihadists from around the world to join its efforts and to extend its linkages to other religious militant groups. An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 foreigners have been reported to be in Iraq and Syria.

As we did before against AQ and JI, Singapore must resolutely oppose the spread of terrorism in order to safeguard our security here. It is in Singapore’s interest to support the multinational efforts against ISIS. ISIS exports terrorism to our region, whether by sending foreign terrorists to carry out terrorist operations or by radicalising regional elements who engage in violence in Iraq, Syria and, subsequently, their home countries. If this terrorism threat is allowed to grow and spread, innocent civilians here and elsewhere could be endangered and killed. By contributing to the international effort to tackle the threat at source, we are contributing directly to our own security.

This is why Singapore took a clear public stand against ISIS at the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting in October this year and at the UN General Assembly in September 2014 respectively. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have said that Singapore strongly condemns ISIS’ terrorist actions and welcomes the formation of a broad multinational coalition to combat the threat from ISIS. Singapore has supported UN Security Council Resolution 2170, which condemns, in the strongest terms, the terrorist acts and violent ideologies of extremist groups and urges UN member states to combat terrorism.

Page: 22

Singapore also co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2178, which went one step further by requiring all nations to make it a serious, prosecutable crime for their nationals to join extremist groups, such as ISIS. Singapore has undertaken counter-terrorism cooperation with international partners to prevent the movement of known foreign terrorist fighters and to stem the flow of financing to ISIS.

This is also why the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has participated in multinational coalition efforts against religious extremists who pose a terrorist threat to Singapore and Singaporeans. We did it in Afghanistan against AQ and the Taliban. The SAF will continue to participate in such efforts to stop the radicalising influence of terror groups that can harm our citizens here. Thus, the SAF will contribute assets and personnel to Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led multinational coalition to combat ISIS. We will join 33 other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, France and Canada, that have provided military support or humanitarian aid to the coalition.

The SAF will offer contributions within our means that are sustainable and useful to the efforts to combat ISIS. These will include SAF liaison and planning officers to the US Central Command and the Combined Joint Task Force HQ, a KC-135R tanker aircraft for air-to-air refuelling and an Imagery Analysis Team. These assets proved effective in our previous contributions and were appreciated by our international partners there. However, for the efforts against ISIS, there will be no combat troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria. Instead, SAF soldiers will operate from surrounding countries, together with other coalition forces.

Nevertheless, there will be risks to our SAF servicemen as they carry out their missions. To mitigate these risks, we will ensure that our servicemen are well-equipped and receive additional training in weapon handling and against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other hostile elements.

Whether the terrorism threat is led by ISIS, AQ or other religious extremist groups, we must tackle it resolutely and use a multi-pronged approach, as this Government has been doing, in order to keep our citizens safe. We recognise the key roles that international partnerships play, as in the exchange of information and joint efforts against transnational terrorist elements. But just as importantly, Singaporeans at home must understand that the radical ideology and acts committed by a small misguided extremist group in the name of Islam do not represent the majority of believers, who condemn these extremists as going against the teachings of Islam. Our Muslim religious and community leaders, including Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bin Bakaram, have denounced ISIS unequivocally. The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has been actively countering the spread of terrorism. Their efforts have been critical in de-radicalising former JI operatives and helping rehabilitate them back into society.

Page: 23

Singapore’s integrated approach against religious extremism is working. One of the most important achievements is that we have maintained the trust and harmony between Singaporeans of different faiths and, indeed, strengthened it over time as we fought this common threat together.

I know that some Singaporeans may become fearful because of this terrorism threat and what Singapore must do to counter it. We should individually take appropriate actions to be alert and guard ourselves as we go about our daily lives. But we must not allow terrorists to paralyse us with fear to prevent us from doing that which is necessary or let them sow discord and distrust among us. If we relent, cower and look upon each other with suspicion and mistrust in the face of their threats, then the terrorists would have already fractured our resolve. The SAF will work with MHA to remain vigilant and step up security where needed to counter this threat and protect Singaporeans. Most importantly, Singaporeans must continue to be united and cohesive to combat this terrorism threat effectively.

Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I thank the Minister for his reply. It is, indeed, a big decision that we are taking here today. There are four supplementary questions I would like to ask the Minister. One is that the Minister has reassured the House that at no point are any of our servicemen actually involved, but would there be any scenarios where they might? The second question is, while the offer is yet to be accepted by the coalition, what is the Ministry's estimation of the length of time that this operation will be required? Thirdly, in terms of the scope of assistance, which is largely confined to non-combat roles at the moment, does the Minister think that over a longer term, there may be an expansion of the scope of assistance? Lastly, as this is an issue of national importance and it affects every single Singaporean, what plans are there in place by the Ministry and the rest of the associated Ministries to engage Singaporeans on this important decision?

Mdm Speaker, the Member, Mr Alex Yam, has asked some questions about deployment and length. I will just, first, preface the answer by saying that, as everyone knows, the fluid situation in Iraq and Syria is extremely dynamic and, so, it is hard to tell. I said that, together with other coalition forces who are not stationed in Iraq and Syria, we will continue that footprint outside Iraq and Syria. On the length of deployment, I think we should review it annually to see how we are contributing, whether our efforts are effective and whether our combined efforts are effective.

On the scope and what else we could add, I think the four elements that I have talked about suffice for now – whether they are planning or liaison officers, whether it is Imagery Analysis Team, whether it is air-to-air refuelling, it will aid, as we have done previously in

Page: 24

Afghanistan and Iraq, to the coalition efforts.

His last question is an important one – national engagement. We have already begun national engagement and this will lift Members' spirit in this House. Just like we had SARS and we think that we are probably more prepared compared to other countries, similarly, the threat from AQ and JI has really built confidence among groups. And we did it behind closed doors and we discussed very candid aspects. I met with Malay/Muslim leaders with Minister Yaacob and Minister of State Maliki and there was instantaneous recognition that this was a threat to all of us. Regardless of faith, regardless of race, they understood it straightaway. It was very quick. The meeting was quite short. There were no "ifs" and "buts". This is a threat, we have to counter it at various levels.

So, I think if there is any good to come out of these combined efforts against religious extremists such as this, it is that a Singapore way has enabled us to harness and garner our collective spirit to say this is against us, this is against all of us, if something happens, people of all faiths will be maimed or even killed, let us deal with it together. So, we will continue that approach. We will continue to deal with small groups because these things are sensitive and sensitive things are better discussed behind closed doors and we will engage various aspects. We will continue to let our security agencies do their professional or threat assessments.

For Singaporeans, I would say this: we should go about our daily lives; being alert but yet not allowing them to rob us of our various privileges and our freedom to associate; do what we want, to worship, to come together as one people. And I think that, ultimately, is the test of whether we who believe in the right to act freely, to elect our government, to worship who we want to, will win versus these violent terrorists who will subjugate us through force.

I thank the Minister for his wonderful reply. I am glad with the Government’s approach in engaging many of our religious leaders, behind closed doors. I, myself, also had public dialogues. At a recent event with Berita Harian and the Office of the Mufti, even members of the public are generally quite supportive and understand the clear and present danger these terrorists present to Singaporeans and Singapore.

I have three supplementary questions. In considering whether Singapore will join this coalition, did we consider whether this would further endanger Singaporeans who may travel to the Middle East, for example, as had happened to some of the western counterparts as well? In terms of security of Singaporeans overseas, what is MINDEF's position and how can we alleviate or mitigate the situation? The second question – back home, as we combat this threat of ISIS, what is the position of our neighbours, especially those who are

Page: 25

predominantly Muslim? Are they with us on this and are we collaborating and cooperating with them? The third question – will the Ministry or ICA consider, as some countries have done, banning certain individuals from going to some of the countries to volunteer or embark on some of these activities?

I thank Mr Zaqy. Mr Zaqy asked if we have information about Singaporeans going there. Yes, indeed, we do, if you look at the handout. [Please refer to Annex 1.] Deputy Prime Minister Teo actually gave very detailed accounts of some families and people who were arrested before they could go and one of them was, of course, a self-radicalised individual, and I leave Members to read this. Indeed, Singaporeans, like Malaysians and Indonesians, are not immune to this radicalising influence to go there. And, yes, our Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts worry about this. They said it publicly. The Chief of Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) was here and he asked for cooperation.

Why is there this worry? Because many people understand that Iraq and Syria offer the opportunity to train as terrorists, to learn how to make bombs, to learn how to let off bombs, to learn how to kill and they have the resources. It is not theoretical because those who came back from Malaysia and Indonesia have coalesced, as I said, to form a network for the Malay Archipelago to establish here, as ISIS has done in Iraq and Syria. As I said, this will also be an additional threat, on top of JI. Not theoretical at all, but threats are forming. Do we collaborate with our neighbours? Yes, we do. If you remember, for Mas Selamat, for other aspects, there is a lot of exchange of information and we recognise that this is a common threat and I think we will share information and will continue to have good working relationships with them.

There will be risks to Singaporeans who travel there. But, as I said in my reply, Singapore was a signatory to the UN resolution which calls for it to be a prosecutable crime. We are among some countries which have that; other countries do not. We send a clear signal to our Singaporeans that it is a crime to go to Syria and Iraq to aid the extremists and, as the example by Deputy Prime Minister Teo showed, the person who wanted to go there was detained.

I have a clarification in addition to my supplementary questions earlier. I have asked not just for those who are identified, who are travelling there, but in some countries, they have instituted a travel ban to some of these countries where you have a risk of them joining ISIS, for example. Is Singapore considering such a measure, whether for those who have been identified or the public in general?

Mdm Speaker, I would defer that decision to our ground agencies. I think our ground agencies are competent. You ban travel to Iraq and Syria, but if you look at the map, Iraq and Syria are quite porous, you can go in from anywhere. You can go via the

Page: 26

North or you can go in via the South. We aim for effect. Rest assured that ISD is monitoring, as the Deputy Prime Minister had shared. The person I was referring to was Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader, who was a self-radicalised lawyer. He was detained in 2007 under the ISA. He was let out and then he was re-detained in October 2012. Another was Zakaria bin Rosdan. He tried to contact foreign militant groups online in order to join them and engage in violence in Syria. And the third is Khairul Sofri bin Osman who was interested to carry out militant jihad overseas in places like Syria. So, they were also detained.

Our security agencies know that this is serious. They have their means with which they can track people who are interested. Honestly, if these people wanted to go, even if you have instituted a travel ban, they will be able to get there. But our laws allow us to show that if you show intent of going, I can detain you. And I think that is the right stance because we do that before you cause damage, rather than let you go there and then come back and monitor and watch what you want to do to Singaporeans here and only act when you have done something.