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ISA detainee scored distinctions at N-Level exams that boosted his self-esteem: Internal Security Department

SINGAPORE — Daniel (not his real name) was only 17 when he was arrested and detained in January last year for terrorism-related conduct.

A teenager now detained under the Internal Security Act said that his good results at an N-Level examination would not have been possible if he had not been detained.

A teenager now detained under the Internal Security Act said that his good results at an N-Level examination would not have been possible if he had not been detained.

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  • The teenager barely scraped by his Secondary 3 examinations in 2019
  • He was arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act for supporting terror group Isis
  • He made vast improvements to his academic performance, scoring 4 As and a B at an N-Level exam
  • He also began rejecting radical ideology after developing a deeper understanding of religious concepts and teachings
  • After rehabilitation, there is still a process of reintegration that lies ahead, said the Internal Security Department 

SINGAPORE — Daniel (not his real name) was only 17 when he was arrested and detained in January last year for terrorism-related conduct.

But he has used his time in detention to turn his life around.

The Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday (Feb 3) that Daniel has made vast improvements to his academic performance to score four As and a B in his GCE Normal (Technical) Level examinations in 2020.

The boy had just barely scraped by his Secondary 3 examinations in 2019.

Daniel was the youngest to be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) before the case of a 16-year-old that emerged last week.

Calling it a case of a self-radicalised youth aged 16 to 19 who made good progress in their rehabilitation, ISD said that Daniel’s good academic results had a positive impact on his self-esteem and outlook.

“When he shared the news of his examination results with his parents during their regular family visits, he told them that he had always felt like a disappointment to them in the past, but now felt that they could be proud of him,” ISD said.

“He also said that his excellent results would not have been possible if he had not been detained.”

RADICALISATION PROCESS

Daniel was first investigated by ISD in September 2017, when he was only 15 years old. He posted on social media defaced images of President Halimah Yacob and called for militant group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) to behead her.

Investigations at that time found that Daniel was radicalised by pro-Isis propaganda on social media channels and groups that were supportive of the terrorist group.

He had been introduced to these channels and groups by someone he had encountered online.

ISD said Daniel felt proud that he was given access to what he thought was exclusive Isis content in a private chat platform, saw himself as “cool” and thought of himself as one of the “chosen ones”.

The teenager later became convinced that Isis’ actions were “righteous” and its fighters were “true Muslims” and the “true Islamic army”. 

He also adopted the group’s “us versus them” worldview and considered Muslim public officers and politicians who are working for a non-Muslim government, such as Madam Halimah, as apostates — people who have renounced their faith.

ISD said that he was not dealt with under the ISA immediately due to his young age and because an assessment showed that he did not pose an imminent threat.

However, he remained staunchly supportive of Isis and he was apprehended after he finished his third year of studies in secondary school.

He is a year into his detention so far.

THE REHAB PROCESS

As part of his rehabilitation, ISD worked with his school and three volunteers from the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) who are also teachers trained under the Ministry of Education — to ensure that the boy’s education could continue.

Mr Salim Mohamed Nasir, 59, Dr Muhammad Mubarak Habib Mohamed, 43, and Mr Hoirull Amri Tahiran, 38, tutored Daniel and guided him in his self-studies. 

(From left) Volunteers of the Religious Rehabilitation Group helping Daniel: Dr Muhammad Mubarak Habib Mohamed, Mr Hoirull Amri Tahiran, Ustaz Muhammad Shafaat Mohd Syonan and Mr Salim Mohamed Nasir. Photo: Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAY

During the April and May partial lockdown in Singapore last year to curb the spread of Covid-19, arrangements were made for his tutoring to continue through video conferencing.

On the religious front, Daniel is in the process of building up his basic religious knowledge, and he has been receptive to religious counselling by Ustaz Muhammad Shafaat Mohd Syonan, 39.

In developing a better understanding of religious concepts and teachings, ISD said that he has begun rejecting radical ideology and building up an immunity to radical influences.

Apart from these, a psychologist also works with Daniel regularly to address a range of issues, from equipping him with critical thinking skills so that he can better evaluate and discern information to teaching him how to handle his emotions.

Specific focus was given to his emotional and self-esteem issues because these had contributed to his vulnerability to radical influences, ISD said.

Through these sessions, Daniel managed to overcome feelings of anxiety and became less self-conscious and less affected by what others thought of him.

Daniel’s parents, who viewed his detention as a chance for him to focus on his studies and improve his outlook on life, were allowed to visit him every week. 

The line of communication remained open even when family visits were suspended last April and May.

Detainees’ families, including Daniel’s parents, were encouraged to record video messages that were then relayed to their family members.

For added support, a mentor — a volunteer from RRG — was assigned to Daniel to help him stay focused on his rehabilitation and guide him in developing pro-social skills.

‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’

While Daniel’s progress is promising, ISD pointed out that there is still a process of reintegration that lies ahead when he is released to live with his family and in the wider society.

“The path he has chosen — to be receptive to those trying to help him and to take ownership of his future — is a promising one if he is able to persevere and not veer from it, especially after his release from detention,” ISD said.

Commenting on his case at a background media briefing to give an overview of its rehabilitation programme, a spokesman from ISD said that the authorities are “cautiously optimistic” of Daniel’s case.

“His progress is still very much up to him,” the spokesman said. “ISD, and the volunteers who are helping him, can only show him the path to rehabilitation. It is his choice to stay on that path.”

Last week, ISD revealed that a 16-year-old boy was arrested and detained under ISA late last year after he made plans to attack Muslims at two mosques in Singapore. He was a Protestant Christian of Indian ethnicity.

ISD said that the boy will be put through a programme consisting of religious, psychological and social rehabilitation while he is in detention. A Christian religious counsellor will be engaged to help him. 

Related topics

ISD ISA terrorism teenager rehabilitation radicalisation

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