THE recent detention of a self-radicalised full-time national serviceman under the Internal Security Act has not changed the Government's view of other Malay or Muslim servicemen who continue to serve dutifully and with commitment in their units, said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday.
He also gave the assurance that the case has not affected the security and integrity of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Mr Teo was replying to a question in Parliament from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Michael Palmer who had asked what steps were being taken to ensure that the SAF is secure from similar self-radicalised activists like NSman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid, who made online contact with a suspected Al-Qaeda recruiter and wanted to embark on armed jihad overseas.
Mr Teo said Muhd Fadil, 20, 'was a solitary individual who took the wrong path'. 'Mindef's view of other Malay or Muslim servicemen who continue to serve dutifully and with commitment in their units. Mindef has briefed SAF commanders on this case, and they have briefed their own servicemen so as to ensure that the whole organisation understands this position clearly,' he said.
The minister said the security agencies in Mindef and the ministry of Home Affairs worked closely together on this case, and acted as soon as there was sufficient indication that Muhd Fadil was a security risk.
At the national level, Mr Teo said the authorities have instituted security systems and processes to detect, monitor and neutralise potential security threats, adding that Mindef and SAF are part of this national system, and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance against any potential threats that may surface.
