“Singaporean Secondary 4 Student Under ISA Restriction Order for Self-Identification as White Supremacist”

1. Singaporean teen self-radicalised white supremacist
2. Singaporean teen identified as white supremacist, wanted to conduct mass shooting in the US and ‘fight for the whites’.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Singaporean Secondary 4 student, aged 16, has been placed under a restriction order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2023. The teenager, who identified as a white supremacist, was self-radicalised by online far-right extremist propaganda. This is the second case in Singapore where an individual has been dealt with under the ISA for radicalisation by far-right extremist ideologies.

Despite being ethnically Chinese, the teenager expressed interest in overseas attacks to advance the white supremacist cause, but had no intentions of conducting any attacks within Singapore. The Internal Security Department (ISD) revealed that the teenager strongly identified as a white supremacist and pro-white sympathiser, expressing a desire to be recruited for violent attacks by overseas white supremacist groups.

The radicalisation process began when the teenager came across videos by foreign far-right political commentator and white supremacist, Paul Nicholas Miller, in 2022. Miller, associated with various far-right extremist organisations, advocates for a race war. By early 2023, the teenager developed intense hatred towards communities targeted by far-right extremists, including African Americans, Arabs, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals.

The teenager’s beliefs included attributing a significant percentage of crime in the United States to African Americans and advocating for their “horrible death.” Additionally, the teenager perceived illegal Arab immigrants as responsible for violent attacks against white populations in Western countries, subscribing to the Great Replacement theory commonly cited by far-right terrorists. This theory suggests that indigenous white populations in Western countries are at risk of being replaced by non-white immigrants.

These ethno-nationalist beliefs led the teenager to believe that non-white communities should be driven away from white-majority countries. Engaging in far-right online chat groups, the teenager also shared violent anti-African American videos, finding a sense of belonging within the white supremacist community.

While the teenager considered traveling to Western countries to participate in attacks against the targeted communities, there were no indications that the teenager had taken steps to realize these plans beyond online searches for weapons due to financial constraints and a lack of know-how. The ISD stated that there was no indication that the teenager had tried to influence family or friends with their violent extremist views, nor were they aware of the teenager’s attack ideations.

Despite the extreme views, the teenager had no plans to conduct attacks in Singapore, as they believed that the targeted communities had not caused trouble in the country. Under the restriction order, the teenager will undergo a rehabilitation program aimed at countering the violent extremist ideologies absorbed online. The program will address the teenager’s inclination towards violence and the underlying factors that rendered them susceptible to radical influences.

The teenager will receive counseling facilitated by ISD psychologists to address their inclination towards violence and underlying factors that make them susceptible to radicalization. The ISD will also work with the teenager’s family and school to ensure they receive ample support. Two mentors have been assigned to provide guidance and impart cyber-wellness skills.

In a separate case, a 19-year-old who was recently released from detention after being detained at the age of 16 for planning terrorist attacks against Muslims at two mosques in Singapore, was granted a suspension direction in January 2024. The ISD reported that the individual responded positively to rehabilitation efforts and is now rejecting far-right extremist ideas and violence.

The ISD emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and recognizing signs of radicalization, while warning against divisive rhetoric promoting white supremacy, anti-Islam, xenophobia, and anti-immigration beliefs. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicions of radicalization to the ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre hotline.

In conclusion, the case of a 16-year-old Singaporean student being placed under a restriction order for self-identifying as a white supremacist highlights the importance of addressing radicalization and promoting social cohesion in society. The ISD’s efforts to provide counseling, rehabilitation, and support to individuals at risk of radicalization are crucial in countering extremist ideologies and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community..

1. “Singaporean teen self-radicalised white supremacist mass shooting US”
2. “Singaporean teen white supremacist fight for whites US”.