Community support key to dealing with terror threats facing Singapore: SM Teo

Formerly used as recruiting grounds, they have promised to remove extremist content

- Andrew Wong

A whole-of-society approach to combating terrorism and extremism has been made possible with community support, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Sept 28.

This has allowed Singapore to effectively deal with the root of terror threats within society, including safeguarding the broader community from extremist ideology, early detection of radicalised individuals, and rehabilitation and reintegration support given to the affected individuals and their families.

Speaking to community volunteers at an appreciation lunch hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Parkroyal Collection at Marina Bay, SM Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said: "Your contributions have been critical to keeping Singapore and Singaporeans safe and secure. This support will remain critical as the threat landscape evolves in form and intensity."

Among those spearheading community efforts are the Inter-Agency Aftercare Group (ACG) and the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), which comprises scholars and teachers of Islam who now help to counsel and rehabilitate self-radicalised individuals.