In his initial comments on the Internal Security Department’s (ISD) arrests of fifteen people, Singapore’s Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has strongly urged his citizens “Don’t overreact. Don't let the news that a ... group linked to Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda terrorist network was planning to bomb targets here fracture Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious harmony”, according to the Straits Times.
This was the first time the Prime Minister released comments regarding the arrests, since news about it broke out last Saturday. He made his remarks just a day after the Singapore people received information of the activities of Jemaah Islamiah – a clandestine Islamic group, linked to Bin Laden.
The Prime Minister stressed that the group’s behavior had nothing to do with Islam or the Muslim community in the South Eastern Asian city-state. He emphasized that those detained were only a small group “who happened to be Muslims”, influenced by others.
The government, he made clear, is 'on top of the situation'. Goh urged his countrymen to carry on their “business as usual”, but added, 'I would say you cannot assume that there are no targets hidden away somewhere. As the report by ISD says, quite a few members have actually run away, and they are not caught.'
However, Singaporeans must stay on guard, because they can not assume that all the cells, apparently linked to Al Qaeda, have been completely wiped out or that perhaps new terrorist cells may emerge, which can carry out their local terror acts.
Group Members Detained
Fifteen people were detained in an operation between December 9 and 24, including eight who had received military training in Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, according to the Straits Times.
Thirteen of them would be held for 2 years, under the Internal Security Act, while the other two have been released under restriction orders that, among other things, barred them from associating with terrorist groups.
Singaporeans were told on Friday about how the group members were planning to bomb specific targets, in places such as Changi and Yishun where there were pro-American and American interests.
Singapore released evidence of what it claimed was a plot by the Al Qaeda terrorists to carry out attacks on Western embassies, U.S. naval vessels, and a bus carrying American soldiers. The videotape released by the government shows a man, now in custody, speaking as the camera zooms in on alleged terror targets in Singapore. "These are the same type of boxes which we intend to use," says Hashim bin Abas, as video footage shows boxes resting on top of bicycles - an apparent reference to plans to hide explosives. "It will not be suspicious to have a motorcycle or bicycle there," says bin Abas in the video shown on Singapore television, according to AP.
Cell Members Still Free
The Singaporean Prime Minister plans on holding a closed-door dialogue in two weeks with leaders from various religious and community groups over the issue. 'I think it will be important to explain to as many leaders as possible what has happened, to take questions, and to answer the concerns which they may have,' he said.
Principals of schools and junior colleges throughout Singapore have received instructions on how to explain to their staff and students the recent arrests on terrorist-related activities. The guidelines urged principals to emphasize that 'ruthless acts of terror are wrong' and to reassure students that homeland security is a top priority, according to the Straits Times.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said in Washington that the threat to Americans had been "specific" and that suspects arrested by Singapore would be investigated and, if called for, charged. He also praised the Singapore government, saying it had "acted with dispatch", according to AP.
On Monday, Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister, Wong Kan Seng revealed that “the first cell started its operations way back in 1997. September 11 didn’t happen till 2001” he pointed out.
With regards to cell members still free, Wong declared “We roughly know who they are”. The Singapore government may release, according to the Straits Times, “White Papers”, which could contain evidence now being collected on the affair, in order to keep the Singapore people well informed of the arrests which were carried out. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
