Two self-radicalised Singaporean youths arrested

Two Singaporean youths have been detained for terrorism-related activities since April this year, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) announced on Wednesday.

One youth detained in April, M. Arifil Azim Putra Norjai, a 19-year-old post-secondary student, is the first known self-radicalised Singaporean to harbour the intention to carry out violent attacks in Singapore, the MHA said.

The second radicalised Singaporean youth, aged 17, was arrested in May. He is currently being investigated to determine the extent of his radicalisation, Chanel News Asia reported.

Investigations showed that he had made plans to join the Islamic State (IS) terror group, and that his radicalisation began around 2013 when he started viewing terrorist propaganda online.

The ministry said Arifil then grew to support the radical ideology and violent tactics of the IS, and online befriended individuals who he thought could help him join the terrorist group.

He also actively surfed internet for information on travel routes to Syria so that he could engage in armed violence there, and had done research on making improvised explosive devices (IED).

Arifil also revealed that if he was unable to join the IS in Syria, he intended to carry out violent attacks in Singapore, the ministry added.

The ministry said the two young Singaporeans who have been radicalised demonstrate that youth in Singapore can become radicalised too, in particular through the internet.