Johor police station attack 'grim reminder' that terrorism threat remains high: PM Wong

SINGAPORE: The recent attack at a police station in Johor is a “grim reminder that the threat of terrorism remains high”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (May 21). 

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been used by global terrorist elements to peddle their radical rhetoric and incite calls for violence. We have to remain vigilant against such extremist ideology finding resonance here,” said Mr Wong in a post on Instagram. 

Two police officers died and another was injured during the pre-dawn attack at Ulu Tiram, a town on the outskirts of Johor Bahru. 

The 21-year-old suspect - who died in the shootout - was initially believed to be a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Malaysian authorities later concluded that the man had acted on his own. 

The suspect’s father, 62, is a known member of JI, according to the police. 

Mr Wong said that self-radicalisation is a growing concern, especially among Singapore’s youth.

He pointed out that the Internal Security Act has dealt with four self-radicalised people below 20 years old over the past two years.

“I urge the public to remain vigilant against the terrorism threat. Report any suspicious persons or activities to the authorities immediately,” he said. 

Members of the public should contact the Internal Security Department (ISD) if they observe signs of radicalisation, he added. 

“Early reporting will allow ISD and its partners to help the suspected radicalised individual in a timely manner and prevent the person from harming himself/herself and others."

Given the heightened threat situation following the attack, Singapore has stepped up security measures, including at its checkpoints. 

“Our security agencies will continue to monitor global and regional security developments closely," said Mr Wong.