SINGAPORE is not immune to the global concern of jihadist radicalisation and a multi-pronged approach must be taken in order to counter the spread and influence of jihadist ideology, said Deputy PM and Minister for Home Affairs (MHA) Mr Wong Kan Seng.

He also said that early intervention is the best way to "save someone from the road to radicalisation" and that it should not be seen as a betrayal, as it is the "socially and morally responsible thing to do".

Mr Wong was responding to questions posed by MP of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Mr Christopher de Souza, on what more can be done to prevent jihadist radicalisation in Singapore at a parliament session on Monday.

MP of Marine Parade GRC, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, also asked Mr Wong on how Singaporeans can tackle the issue of accessing terrorist-related information on the Internet.

Early this month, a self-radicalised full-time national serviceman was detained under the Internal Security Act early July and two Singaporeans were placed on Restriction Orders (RO).

In his speech, Mr Wong addressed these concerns by advising mosques and Islamic institutions in Singapore to be vigilant and "keep a close watch on individuals who teach, preach or conduct activities at their premises".

Foreign religious teachers or speakers who wish to teach or give speeches on religion here, will need to obtain a letter of support from the Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) before an Employment Pass or Work Pass can be granted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Mr Wong also advised local Islamic institutions and Muslims to only engage properly qualified teachers.

Although it has been suggested that the government block radical websites, the Deputy PM said that it would be a "futile exercise", as the reach of the Internet makes it "practically impossible to interdict all radical websites."

Therefore, educating the general Muslim public and alerting them to the "falsehoods of jihadist ideology" is critical, said Mr Wong.

Singaporeans must play a part

Singaporeans must not turn a blind eye or be unwilling to heed warning signs when they notice someone close to them is on the path of radicalisation, warned Mr Wong.

He raised the example of self-radicalised national serviceman, Muhammad Fadil bin Abdul Hamid, 20, who had been detained for two years, and Muhammad Thahir bin Shaik Dawood, 27, who was placed on RO.

Mr Wong said that the two had let people close to them know that they were interested in militant jihad and these people had noticed they were surfing radical websites, but none of them sought help from the religious or government authorities.

Instead, they had "brushed aside Fadil and Thahir's jihadist talks as not serious".

Security and integrity of SAF, MINDEF not affected

During his parliamentary speech, Mr Wong also expressed that the recent jihadist cases "have not affected the security and integrity of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), or Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF) view of other Malay or Muslim servicemen".

He reiterated that "investigations have shown that Fadil was a solitary individual who took the wrong path" and that security agencies in MINDEF and MHA worked closely tgoether and acted as soon as there was sufficient indication that Fadil was a security risk.