The Straits Times, Jan 16, 2005
Latest JI arrests show public must remain vigilant, says minister
THE recent detention of two more men involved with Jemaah Islamiah (JI) shows that
the threat posed by the terrorist group is still present and that the public must remain
vigilant.
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday that Singaporeans have been,
and should continue to help the Government weed out anyone with terrorist links, by
reporting any suspicious individuals to the authorities.
The police take all public reports seriously and investigate all information fed to them,
said Mr Wong, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Edusave award
ceremony at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School yesterday.
Last Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that Singaporeans Mohamed Agus
Ahmad Selani, 37, and Anis Mohamed Mansor, 48, had been detained for two years
for their involvement in terrorist groups.
The first wave of JI arrests was made in 2001, and there are now 36 serving detention
under the Internal Security Act.
Said Mr Wong: 'Singapore is the country that exposed the JI network and therefore
Singapore remains a target... We must continue to be vigilant, prepare ourselves and
ensure that our border security is tight.'
The recent detentions are the result of ongoing efforts by the Government to ensure
that individuals who want to 'do harm to Singapore do not have a chance to succeed',
he said.
The JI's formal network has been crushed in Singapore.
He added: 'Of course, there are individuals who had participated in some JI activities,
who are not known to the authorities. If we find them... and if there is a case to detain
them, they will be detained.'
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