Terror threats real and evolving: Lawrence Wong

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong was speaking at a dialogue session on security threats which was attended by more than 350 youths, the first session to involve youths on such a large scale.
By Monica Kotwani, Channel NewsAsia, 8 Feb 2015

The security threats facing Singapore are real and serious, which is why the nation has to do all within its means to protect itself.

This includes staying vigilant, keeping the community together and contributing to international efforts to tackle threats of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Feb 7) at a dialogue session on security threats which was attended by more than 350 youths.

Post by Lawrence Wong.

It is the first session to involve youths on such a large scale. Previous dialogues have been held with community and religious leaders.

From threats to Singapore's security after 9/11 to extremist propaganda by ISIS that continues to reel in recruits from the region, Mr Wong told his young audience that terror threats continue to evolve. He cited the recent attack in Sydney, Australia, where a radicalised gunman took 17 people hostage in a cafe.

"It's very possible that a lone wolf, not linked to any organised groups but an individual, may emerge self-radicalised and may come out from our own society and this person may have the motivation or start thinking about plotting his or her own violent acts," said Mr Wong.

Mr Wong said the threat is real but through its many efforts to protect Singapore, the nation is "responding from a position of strength". “Our most powerful asset is the reservoir of goodwill between the different races and religions which we have built up over the years,” he said.

“These good relations between our different community groups have come about neither by accident nor by good fortune. It is the fruit of a lot of hard work by our parents’ generation - by the people who came before us, our grandparents generation, our pioneers. It's the result of their hard work and the fruit of all they have done to build the trust and good relationships between the communities."

Where the pioneers took decisive action by condemning the acts of extremists then, Mr Wong said it is now up to the next generation to take up this responsibility, hence the need to have such sessions involving younger Singaporeans.

Only Mr Wong's speech was open for media coverage, with the rest of the session, including a presentation by security agencies, happening behind closed doors. The reason for this was to have what Mr Wong called, a "candid and frank" discussion - something that resonated with participants.

"It's so important for us to really understand what's at risk, what's at stake - the implications of security on our daily lives as we go forward as a society, as a country," said Mr Sarabjeet Singh, a participant.

"The terrorist groups are recruiting people or advertising their ideas through the internet, and where people who are not really aware of their religion or of others' religion be vulnerable to these radical ideas,” added Ms Nur Nasuha Selamat, another participant. “This is something that should be noted, and also further elevates the importance of raising awareness of dialogues."

The participants came from various institutions of higher learning, religious organisations and self-help groups.

Youngsters must do part against extremism: Lawrence Wong
By Hoe Pei Shan, The Straits Times, 9 Feb 2015

EXTREMIST terrorism can easily damage the racial and religious harmony Singapore has worked hard for, and the younger generations here must do their part in the fight against extremism.

This was the message of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong last Saturday at a closed-door dialogue with 350 young people from community and religious organisations, as well as institutes of higher learning.

He cautioned against taking the Republic's peace and security for granted during the event held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central, which was the first of what he hopes will be a "regular series where we can engage young people... on how the terrorism threat continues to develop, and to discuss what we can do about this".

"We should not be naive in thinking these threats are far away, they are in other countries, they don't affect us, and if we keep our heads low, the threats will pass us," cautioned Mr Wong.

"Make no mistake, the security threats we face are real and serious. And we have to do whatever is necessary to protect Singapore and Singaporeans... It also means contributing to international efforts to tackle the threat at source, which we are doing by being part of the coalition against ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria)."

Mr Wong cited the example of a Singaporean woman who took her 18-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son to accompany her husband to Syria, where she worked as a cook while her daughter taught English to the children of ISIS fighters.

"All of these recruits who have joined the fight support the terrorists... and they would be hardened by the violence they have seen and participated in. They may well return to the region, to Indonesia, to Malaysia and to Singapore. You will never know what consequences may arise," he said.

Aside from terror groups, a self-radicalised "lone wolf" can easily be moulded from the propaganda available online, he said. In 2013 for instance, two young Singaporeans "became fixated with radical videos and literature". One tried to join foreign militant groups and the other abetted him. Both were found out and placed on Restriction Orders.

"Our pioneers and seniors stood firm and responded to the terrorist threat resolutely. It's time for a younger generation of Singaporeans to take up the responsibility," said Mr Wong.