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Singapore authorities are “coordinating closely” with their Indonesian counterparts over the recent arrest of a suspected terrorist who plotted to attack the Singapore Exchange (SGX) building in 2014, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Wednesday.
ISD said it is aware of the arrest of a man referred to in some media reports as YLK.
“ISD first received information on the attack plot against the SGX in 2016 and subsequently on YLK’s alleged involvement in the plot, and has been coordinating closely with the Indonesian authorities in the investigations,” the department said.
On Tuesday, Indonesia’s counterterrorism unit Detachment 88 said that YLK – who was arrested on August 21 – was affiliated with the terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
His alleged terror attack against the SGX building in the central business district was said to be under AQAP’s order.
When he was arrested in Sulawesi, the police found a passport under the name of Yudi Lukito Kurniawan.
YLK has been known to ISD since the early 2000s for a history of terrorism-related activities.
A member of the terror group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) in Indonesia, he underwent militant training in Mindanao, the Philippines from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
In 2003, he was arrested and imprisoned in Indonesia for the illegal possession of firearms, before he was released.
“On account of his JI-related terrorism antecedents, ISD had placed YLK on an entry watch list as part of our stringent border security measures,” it said.
ISD also confirmed reports that YLK had attempted to enter Singapore in February 2015. He was denied entry and deported to Batam.
“ISD has not yet ruled out the possibility that YLK’s attempted trip to Singapore was for reconnaissance purposes to further the attack plot against the SGX,” it said.
“Apart from the attempted visit to Singapore in 2015, he has not made other visits to Singapore.
“Investigations remain ongoing, and we are in close contact with our Indonesian counterparts over the recent arrest.”
The 2014 attack plot “serves as a reminder that Singapore continues to be viewed as a prized target” by terror groups such as al-Qaeda and their regional affiliates in Southeast Asia.
“While there is no imminent terror threat to Singapore at this point in time, the terrorism threat remains high,” ISD said.
“The public is urged to maintain vigilance and promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities to the authorities.”
This story was first published by CNA


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Singapore authorities are working closely with their Indonesian counterparts following the arrest of the man linked to the AQAP group


Singapore authorities are working closely with their Indonesian counterparts following the arrest of the man linked to the AQAP group.


Indonesia

Terrorism

Islamic militancy