SINGAPORE — A 16-year-old Singaporean student who identified as a white supremacist and aspired to conduct attacks against minority groups overseas was issued with a restriction order under the Internal Security Act in November 2023.

Investigations found that the teenager, who was a Secondary 4 student at the time, had been self-radicalised by online far-right extremist propaganda and wanted to further the white supremacist cause, even though he is of Chinese ethnicity, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday (Jan 24). 

He is the second Singaporean to be dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for being radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies.

The first was detained under the Act in December 2020, and ISD said on Wednesday that he was released and issued with a suspension direction this month. A suspension direction is a ministerial direction suspending an existing detention order, and the Minister for Home Affairs may revoke this such that the person will be re-detained if he does not comply with any of the conditions stipulated.

ISD said that the 19-year-old Singaporean has made good progress in his rehabilitation and is assessed to “no longer pose an imminent security threat”.

RADICALISED BY WHITE SUPREMACIST VIDEOS

The 16-year-old who was issued the restriction order in November first chanced upon videos online in 2022 by American far-right political commentator and white supremacist Paul Nicholas Miller, who advocates for a race war.

By early 2023, he had developed an intense hatred of communities typically targeted by far-right extremists, including African-Americans, Arabs and individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other gender identities (LGBTQ+). 

Fuelled by online extremist rhetoric, he came to believe that African-Americans were responsible for a significant percentage of crime in the United States and deserved to “die a horrible death”.

He subscribed to the Great Replacement Theory commonly referenced by far-right terrorists such as Christchurch attacker Brenton Tarrant, which propagates the idea that the indigenous white population in Western countries are in danger of being replaced by non-white immigrants.

He also perceived illegal Arab immigrants as having committed violent attacks against white populations in Western countries. 

The youth took part in several far-right online chat groups and channels, where he shared violent anti-African-American videos. Doing so gave him a sense of belonging to the white supremacist community, ISD said.

At the point of investigation, he strongly identified as a white supremacist and pro-white sympathiser, and hoped to be recruited for violent attacks by white supremacist groups overseas to “fight for the whites”.

ASPIRED TO ATTACK

The student had considered travelling to Western countries such as France, Italy, Russia and the United States, to take part in attacks against his vilified communities. 

Specifically, he shared his interest to conduct a mass shooting in the US in 10 years’ time in a far-right online chat group.

However, beyond online searches for weapons, he did not take steps to actualise his attack aspirations because he lacked the financial resources and know-how to do so. 

There was no indication that the youth had tried to influence his family or friends with his violent extremist views, or that they were aware of his attack ideations.

He also had no plans to conduct any attacks in Singapore, because he felt that these communities had not caused trouble here. 

In contrast, the earlier case who was radicalised by far-right extremist ideology had made detailed plans and preparations to conduct terrorist attacks using a machete against Muslims at two mosques in Singapore, and was detained under the law. 

REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

As part of his restriction order, the 16-year-old youth will be required to undergo a holistic rehabilitation programme aimed at countering the violent extremist ideologies that he had consumed online.

The rehabilitation programme will be geared towards helping him internalise that his racial supremacist views are incompatible with Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society, ISD said. 

It added that he will receive psychological counselling by psychologists from ISD to address his propensity to violence and factors that render him vulnerable to radical influences. 

Such factors include his emotional regulation and self-identity issues, which had fuelled his desire to identify as a white supremacist and be part of a like-minded, seemingly powerful group.

ISD's case officers will also engage him regularly to monitor his rehabilitation and work closely with his family and school to ensure that he has enough support. 

He has also been assigned two mentors who will provide him with more guidance and cyber-wellness skills. The two mentors are Ministry of Education-trained teachers who are volunteers from the Religious Rehabilitation Group and who have experience working with and coaching young persons.

The Religious Rehabilitation Group consists of Muslim religious teachers who counsel those who have been misled by radical teachings.

In addition, ISD is working with community partners such as the Inter-Agency Aftercare Group — which supports efforts to strengthen Singapore’s social resilience — to explore suitable community-based programmes that will equip him with pro-social skills. 

While under the restriction order, the teenager cannot access the internet or social media, issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute and contribute to any publication.

He is also not permitted to change his residence or travel out of Singapore without the approval of ISD's director.

‘NEED TO MAINTAIN VIGILANCE’

ISD said that far-right extremist ideologies have not gained a significant foothold in Singapore, but the cases of these two teenagers serve as a reminder that Singaporeans are not immune to such ideologies and that there is a need to maintain vigilance.

Far-right ideologies — which often espouse white supremacist, anti-Islam, xenophobic and anti-immigration beliefs— can be adapted to fit the Singaporean landscape, ISD added.

“Far-right extremist rhetoric promotes an ‘us-versus-them’ narrative, ‘them’ being members of other communities who are perceived to be the enemy. 

“Such divisive rhetoric can create deep societal divides, amplify prejudices and encourage acts of violence towards minorities or ‘out-groups’.”

ISD urged Singaporeans to be vigilant to signs that the people around them may have become radicalised. 

Possible signs of radicalisation include:

• Frequently surfing of radical websites
• Posting or sharing extremist views on social media platforms such as expressing support or admiration for terrorists or terrorist groups as well as the use of violence
• Sharing extremist views with friends and relatives
• Making remarks that promote ill will or hatred towards people of other races or religions
• Expressing intent to take part in acts of violence overseas or in Singapore
• Inciting others to take part in acts of violence