MFA Press Statement: Visit of Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman to Luxembourg, 4 to 6 November 2015

                During the Retreat Session of the 12^th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers’ Summit (FMM) on 6 November 2015, Senior Minister of State Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman spoke on the topic of countering terrorism and violent extremism, and shared Singapore’s experience in deradicalisation and countering extremist rhetoric.  Recognising that the terrorism threat is transboundary, Dr Maliki urged the international community to work closely together including exchanging intelligence information and sharing counter-ideology best practices as upstream counter-ideological efforts.  The transcript of Dr Maliki’s speech is attached.

2             Dr Maliki also separately met the Heads of Delegation from Brunei, Cyprus, Malta and Poland.  Dr Maliki took the chance to reaffirm warm bilateral relations and explore opportunities for expanding cooperation between Singapore and these countries.

3             Dr Maliki leaves Luxembourg this evening for Singapore.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 NOVEMBER 2015

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ASEM FMM12: RETREAT SESSION

INTERVENTION ON COUNTERING TERRORISM AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM

               Thank you, Madam Chair, for the floor.  I would like to speak on the topic of countering terrorism and violent extremism.

2             The threat of terrorism is an international issue that is complex and difficult to address.  The rise of ISIS and the ongoing conflict in Syria has further complicated the security landscape.  The terrorist threat is trans-boundary and the international community has to work closer together to deal with threat.  This can include not only the exchange of intelligence, but also the sharing of counter-ideology best practices as upstream counter-ideological efforts.

3             Singapore, like other countries, is concerned by the threat returning fighters from the Syrian conflict would pose.  This is especially so when we consider the networks, ideology and skill set they would have acquired.  Also, the ISIS’ slick online rhetoric has shown to be a potent and effective recruitment too.  In Singapore, we have had cases of youth as young as 17 years old, being self-radicalised simply by accessing extremist videos, websites and social media materials available on the internet.  While the issue is really not about religion but rather political ideological differences, terrorist groups have, unfortunately, used religion as a key aspect of their rhetoric.  As such, within our respective countries, we have to engage religious groups in the fight against terrorism.  For example, PERGAS (a leading association of religious teachers and scholars) and the Mufti of Singapore have counselled the Muslim community against ISIS’ false ideology.  In May 2015, the Mufti of Singapore said that it is a religious obligation for Muslims to report those who might pose a threat to society to the authorities.  Such narratives have to go out clearly to our Muslim citizens and residents within our respective countries.

4             We also have to reach out to our youth to ensure that they are connected and part of the mainstream societal processes and identify those at risk, early.  As mentioned, many youth can be easily enticed by slick rhetoric by ISIS on the internet.  By cooperating and sharing intelligence with our security agencies in Malaysia and Indonesia, we have been able to detain radicalised individuals and members of terror groups like the JI.  These individuals then undergo a de-radicalisation programme by Singapore’s Religious Rehabilitation Group.  In this programme, religious scholars provide a counter-narrative to the extremist ideology, one-on-one counselling for each of these individuals and support for their family while they are in detention.  We have seen success where radicalised individuals have been de-radicalised.  They have been re-integrated into the community and we continue to monitor their progress.

5             The refugee and migration situation as a result of the Syrian conflict is not sustainable in the longer term.  The international community needs to assist countries like Syria to find a sustainable political solution to ensure peace and stability for its people.

6             To conclude, what is critical to the international effort to counter terrorism and violent extremism is the sharing of information and best practice between countries.  We have to work together to ensure that our people have access to peace and security.

7             Thank you.

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