JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH DETAINEES

JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH DETAINEES

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(Update): **

2.

Prof. Thio Li-ann asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he will provide an update on the current status of the persons detained in relation to the Jemaah Islamiyah arrests in December 2001.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Thirteen persons were detained in relation to the Jemaah Islamiyah arrests in 2001. Three of them have been released from detention. They had cooperated in investigations and had responded positively to rehabilitation.

The remaining 10 persons are still in detention. They had taken part in terrorist training, armed jihad and terrorist planning for attacks in Singapore. They had been deeply indoctrinated with the JI’s violent and radical ideology for many years. This cannot be easily undone. For example, several of them continue to hold on to the core JI belief that Muslims and non-Muslims cannot live in harmony. They also believe in the establishment of an Islamic state through violent means. Rehabilitation, including religious counselling, for these detainees is on-going. Their cases are regularly reviewed.

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