20-year-old self-radicalised S'porean detained under ISA

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Posted by: Tang Wen Xiang (103016C)
7th Post: 20-year-old self-radicalised S'porean detained under ISA.

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country with people from many different racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. the origin of Singapore's multi-ethnicity comes from its history as a British colony since 1819. People from different countries were attracted to the British colony as it offered them opportunities and hope for a better life. However, a multi-ethnic society like Singapore still faces challenges. Despite these differences and challenges, it is still possible for people to live in peace and harmony.

Recently, a 20-year-old self-radicalised Singaporean detained under Internal Security Act (ISA). The ISA of Singapore confers on the government the right to arrest and detain individuals without trials in certain defined circumstances.

In a multi-ethnic society like Singapore, issues such as race and religion can be used to cause conflict among the different groups. There are 3 major issues that Singapore faces. they are to manage perceptions of different racial groups, manage perceptions of different religious groups and lastly, threats from external forces.

Managing perceptions of different racial groups is to eradicate the lack of understanding among the racial groups which can create suspicion and unhappiness among the people. This may lead to outbreaks of violence among racial groups like the clash during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday in 1964, between a Chinese policeman and a group of Malay participants of the procession, turned into full-blown race riots over the next few days.

Managing the perceptions of different religious group is to reduce the differences conflict in religious beliefs and practices, which can be used to create tension among the people in Singapore. This was illustrated by the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950, which a Dutch couple demanded the return of Maria Hertogh which was under the care of a Malay lady, Aminah when the Dutch couple was imprisoned by the Japanese.

Transnational terrorism is one of the threats from the external forces which refers to acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organisation and impact. these acts can test the social bonds of the people in Singapore. Singapore experienced the threat of transnational terrorism in 2001 which Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members were arrested under the ISA for their involvement in terrorist-related activities from 2001 to 2002.

However, Singapore's government had already put in place different policies to manage ethnic diversity by building a national identity, Safeguarding the interest of the minority groups and developing common space.

However, Singapore is always affected because it is a developed country and friendly to the west... Security can be improved, intelligence gathering can be tightened, alertness can be increased, but the threats cannot be erased although. SINGAPOREANS MUST PLAY THEIR PART IN KEEPING SINGAPORE SAFE!

URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1067829/1/.html