Singaporean Teen Radicalized by Far-Right Extremist Ideologies Released and Placed Under Rehabilitation Program, Says ISD

– “Chinese Singaporean teen identified as white supremacist”
– “Chinese Singaporean teen under anti-terror restriction order”.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Singaporean Teenager Detained and Released Under ISA for Far-Right Extremism

In December 2020, a 19-year-old Singaporean was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) due to his involvement with far-right extremist ideologies. However, on Wednesday, the Internal Security Department (ISD) announced that he had been released and issued a Suspension Direction this month. The ISD stated that the teenager has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and no longer poses an imminent security threat.

The 16-year-old Singaporean, who was issued a restriction order in November, initially came across videos online by American far-right political commentator and white supremacist Paul Nicholas Miller in 2022. These videos advocated for a race war, which had a profound impact on the teenager. By early 2023, he had developed an intense hatred towards communities typically targeted by far-right extremists, including African Americans, Arabs, and LGBTQ individuals.

Fuelled by the extremist rhetoric he encountered online, the teenager began to believe that African Americans were responsible for a significant percentage of crime in the United States and deserved to “die a horrible death.” He also subscribed to the Great Replacement Theory, a concept often referenced by far-right terrorists such as Brenton Tarrant, who carried out the Christchurch attack. This theory propagates the idea that the indigenous white population in Western countries is at risk of being replaced by non-white immigrants. Additionally, he perceived illegal Arab immigrants as having committed violent attacks against white populations in Western countries.

The teenager actively participated in several far-right online chat groups and channels, where he shared violent anti-African American videos. This participation gave him a sense of belonging to the white supremacist community, according to the ISD. At the time of the investigation, he strongly identified as a white supremacist and pro-white sympathizer. His ultimate goal was to be recruited for violent attacks by white supremacist groups overseas, in order to “fight for the whites.”

The teenager had considered traveling to Western countries such as France, Italy, the United States, and Russia to participate in attacks against the communities he vilified. He specifically expressed an interest in conducting a mass shooting in the US in ten years’ time, as revealed in a far-right online chat group. However, he did not take concrete steps to realize his attack aspirations, as he lacked the financial resources and know-how to do so.

There is no evidence to suggest that the teenager attempted to influence his family or friends with his violent extremist views, nor were they aware of his attack ideations. Furthermore, he had no plans to carry out any attacks in Singapore, as he believed that these communities had not caused trouble in the country.

The earlier case, who was radicalized by far-right extremist ideology, had made detailed plans and preparations to conduct terrorist attacks using a machete against Muslims at two mosques in Singapore and was subsequently detained under the ISA.

As part of the restriction order issued to the 16-year-old, he will be required to undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation program aimed at countering the violent extremist ideologies he had absorbed online. This program will focus on helping him understand that his racial supremacist views are incompatible with Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious society, according to the ISD. The teenager will also receive psychological counseling from ISD psychologists to address his propensity for violence and the factors that make him susceptible to radical influences. These factors include emotional regulation and self-identity issues, which fueled his desire to identify as a white supremacist and be part of a like-minded, seemingly powerful group.

ISD case officers will regularly engage with the teenager to monitor his rehabilitation progress and work closely with his family and school to provide necessary support. Additionally, two mentors from the Religious Rehabilitation Group, who are Ministry of Education-trained teachers, have been assigned to guide him and provide cyber-wellness skills. The ISD is also collaborating with community partners, such as the Inter-Agency Aftercare Group, to explore suitable community-based programs that will equip him with pro-social skills.

While under the restriction order, the teenager is prohibited from accessing the internet or social media, issuing public statements, addressing public meetings, or contributing to any publications. He is also not allowed to change his residence or travel outside of Singapore without the approval of the Director of the ISD.

The ISD emphasized that although far-right extremist ideologies have not gained significant traction in Singapore, the cases of these two youths serve as a reminder that Singaporeans are not immune to such ideologies, and that vigilance is necessary. They added that far-right extremist rhetoric, which promotes an “us-versus-them” narrative, can create deep societal divides, amplify prejudices, and encourage acts of violence towards minorities or “out-groups.”.

1. “Chinese Singaporean teen white supremacist”
2. “Singaporean white supremacist teen restriction order”.