S’pore should take a strong stand on citizens in terror fight

It was disclosed recently that a few Singaporeans were influenced by radicals to join the 12,000-plus foreign militants in the Syrian conflict. (“Details emerge of S’porean family who have joined fight in Syria”; Sept 13)

What I fear most is that they may return and use the terrorist skills they have acquired to the detriment of Singapore’s security.

Of keen interest to me is the case of Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali, a naturalised citizen who is said to have taken his wife and three children to Syria.

In the United States, the United Kingdom and even Norway, legislation to revoke the citizenship of a naturalised person involved in terrorist activities either exists or is being considered.

In Singapore, a courageous stand would likewise portray our efforts to clamp down on radicals and terrorism.

Article 129 of the Constitution does empower the Government to deprive a citizen of his citizenship if it is satisfied that he has engaged in any activities prejudicial to Singapore’s security.

The authorities should initiate action now to revoke Haja Fakkurudeen’s citizenship instead of adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Inaction may encourage others to emulate him. A strong signal of intolerance of involvement in such activities is the best deterrence.