Ambassadors Roundtable Series- Singapore Event Summary

As part of the Ambassador Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Insurgencies, The Homeland Security Policy Institute and the International Center for Terrorism Studies co-hosted Singaporean Ambassador Chan Heng Chee on November 29, 2007.

Singapore is an ethnically and religiously diverse country composed predominantly of Indians, Malays, and Chinese, who practice Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. The country has begun to experience a trend of “homegrown” terrorism. Groups have formed and been traced to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the aftermath of 9/11, based on a tip from a Singaporean citizen to the police, the authorities uncovered a terrorist network in-country. That discovery demonstrated al-Qa’ida’s presence in Singapore as well as AQ’s connection, albeit limited, to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network established throughout Southeast Asia. Ambassador Chan noted further that Singapore is seeing the phenomenon of self-radicalization through the internet, applied in at least one case to a member of the well-educated middle class.

These developments, the Ambassador observed, are indicative of a challenge and a new threat. She emphasized in her remarks that the battle is one to win hearts and minds. Hence, while in response a whole-of-government approach is pursued, the authorities at the same time rely heavily on the contributions and efforts of community and religious leaders. Recognizing that government can only do so much in this context where the support of the grassroots level is crucial, officials nevertheless remain cognizant of the need to avoid making the situation worse. They are therefore sensitive to the need to use language carefully, in a way that does not alienate key constituencies.

Community-building and community engagement programs in Singapore are many and varied. Initiatives may be government-funded, but organized and run by community leaders. These engagement efforts seek to bring various ethnic communities together to speak to one another, and thereby minimize differences and decrease religious tensions. The work of the Harmony Center in particular, run by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (itself established pre-9/11), was cited by the Ambassador as a model in aiming to reduce antagonism toward minority communities. The Center seeks to explain Islam to the broader public, and to help turn the tide against extremism. The Center’s work has been recognized outside Singapore as well, and the Center will be sharing its expertise and experience with Australia, for possible application in that country’s context.

The government also fosters a religious rehabilitation program that employs religious leaders. This program is informal in nature – religious leaders speak to thousands of people who gather in a public forum such as a sports stadium. Religious counseling may also be provided to detainees. Provisions of the Internal Security Act have been invoked in connection with members and sympathizers of terrorist groups. Detainees may be required to undergo religious counseling, or they may be released at a given point in time with conditions, such as no association with any militant group, and prior approval before travel abroad. To qualify for release however, an individual must not have been at the heart of terrorist operations. The Act requires the President to approve detentions; and the grounds for detention are shared with the detainee. Notably, detainees are allowed family visits while in custody, and the government seeks to ensure that children of the detainee continue their schooling during that period.

Singapore is also party to seven of thirteen international counter-terrorism conventions, and is working toward ratifying the remainder. From a regional perspective, the Ambassador was optimistic, suggesting that the region “is in a good state” – but she was careful to point out the need to remain vigilant. In reaching the first part of her assessment, she pointed in part to Singapore’s close cooperation with Malaysia and that country’s notable successes against militant groups. Moving forward, she observed that greater international cooperation is likely to be of assistance over the long run.

The Ambassador Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past two years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.

For further inquries, please email hspi1@gwumc.edu with the subject Ambassadors Roundtable Series Inquiries