While the threat of terrorists is not as potent as it was a few years ago, it most definitely has not disappeared.
And despite how safe we may be, Singapore is not immune to their radical ideologies either.
Radjev Lal Madan Lal, a self-radicalised Singaporean, was prepared to travel overseas to take up arms. He was detained in April this year under the Internal Security Act.
Advertisements
Influenced By Radical Preachers
The 29-year-old was a mover at a logistics company and was first introduced to the online sermons of foreign radical preacher Imran Hosei in 2013, who he became heavily influenced by.
The radical preacher is from Trinidad and Tobago and preached about the supposed imminent “end of times” and the rise of a Muslim “Black Flag Army” (BFA) to do battle with “non-believers”.
These resonated with Radjev, who had a keen interest in conspiracy theories.
Over time, he became deeply radicalised by both Imran and other radical preachers such as American Anwar Al-Awlaki, a dead Al-Qaeda ideologue, as well as imprisoned Australian radical Musa Cerantonio.
Convinced to Kill “Enemies” of Islam
Radjev then became convinced that it was his religious obligation to partake in armed violence with the BFA to kill the “enemies” of Islam.
In his perspective, they included non-Muslims who meddled in Islamic affairs, as well as Western countries like the United States and Israel.
Radjev believed that dying as a martyr on the battlefield alongside the BFA would earn him rewards in the afterlife.
Join our Telegram channel for more entertaining and informative articles at https://t.me/goodyfeedsg or download the Goody Feed app here: https://goodyfeed.com/app/
Considered Travelling to Join Radical Groups
Believing that jihadist groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban were all possible manifestations of the BFA, Radjev made plans to travel to Syria and join ISIS.
Advertisements
This was abandoned after Imran disputed that ISIS was the BFA.
At the time of his arrest in April, Radjev believed that the Taliban might represent the BFA and was considering travelling to conflict zones in Afghanistan to join the militant group. He had even practised knifing techniques.
Tried to Spread Radical Ideologies
After falling deeply into the radical ideologies himself, Radjev tried to recruit and propagate his ideologies to family, friends and people online.
Aside from family and friends, he also created a social media group to spread his radical ideology to online contacts. Fortunately, none of his family members or friends in Singapore responded positively to his overtures.
While Radjev did not have any specific attack plans against Singapore, he admitted that he was willing to conduct an attack in Singapore or against Singapore’s interests overseas if instructed to do so by either Imran or the BFA, the ISD said.
Advertisements
The ISD also reiterated that it would take firm action against any individual in Singapore who supports, promotes, undertakes or makes preparations to undertake armed violence.
Read Also:
- Saizeriya S’pore Bringing Back Free-Flow Drink Bar Soon & Will Announce ‘in Due Time’
- Carousell is Buying Over Local Thrift Fashion Store Refash
- SCDF Responds to Alleged Incident Whereby 995 Responder Hung Up on Caller Due to Caller’s Tone
- S’pore Might See Haze Again in the Second Half of This Year
Featured Image: Getmilitaryphotos / Shutterstock.com
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
Read Also:
- Four Hospitalized as Singapore Car Collides with Malaysia Bus during Failed Safety Procedures at Woodlands Checkpoint
- DPM Gan Kim Yong Launches $3 Budget Meal Vending Machine in Punggol
- 71-Year-Old Worker Injured with Eight Stitches after Food Delivery Rider’s Warning Bell Startles Him
- Trump “Loses” as US Judge Blocks Administration from Revoking Harvard Foreign Students’ Enrolment
- 43-Year-Old Actress Fiona Xie Reveals Health Scare Details Following Extensive Medical Examination
- 6 Deals for SG60 Because Everything Also SG60
