08 January 2002 0856 hrs (GMT) 1656 hrs (SST) Opposition SNF supports arrest of terrorism suspects by Tanny Chia

The Singapore National Front (SNF) has said it supports the government's stand against terrorism and the arrest of 15 people for terrorism-related activities.

In a statement, SNF's acting president A. Karim Sattar said the local Malay opposition party was not shocked there were terrorist elements here, but was surprised by the number of Singaporeans involved.

The SNF, however, said it regrets comments by some Indonesian Muslim groups supporting the 15 detainees, and urged Singaporeans not to be influenced by such statements.

It also welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan's assurance that Muslims will not be barred from the Singapore Armed Forces.