Defence minister says terror threat still real in Singapore
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 January 2008 0505 hrs

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SINGAPORE : Singapore has capable agencies and strong social cohesion, but Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said they need to be developed to prepare the country for future challenges.

Mr Teo said practice drills can help the public understand the threats Singapore faces.

And such threats remain real, with the recent detention of two more people under the Internal Security Act.

Muhammad Zamri Abdullah was self-radicalised through propaganda in publications, videos and the Internet, while Maksham Mohd Shah developed similar views and tried to make bombs for use in armed jihad.

Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said he is disappointed that such arrests are still necessary, but added that it's impossible to monitor the entire Internet.

"This goes to show that there are many more people that we need to reach out to. We have discussed this internally with MUIS (also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) and will see what more can we do. We have already set up a very good infrastructure, in terms of a website and questions that you want to be asked through the Internet," said Dr Yaacob.

He stressed that MUIS institutions are available to help Muslims, and are not there to pass judgement. He hopes more people will trust them and turn to them for guidance. - CNA /ls