Singapore - Singaporean authorities have detained a teenager who allegedly plotted to murder dozens of Muslims outside several mosques, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in a statement on Wednesday.   

The 17-year-old, who was not named, was detained in March and considered Brenton Tarrant, the white supremacist who murdered worshippers in the 2019 New Zealand mosque shootings, his "hero," according to the statement.

The MHA also revealed that the youth identified himself as an "East Asian supremacist" and had targeted five mosques in Singapore for attacks after Friday prayers.

"The youth wanted to kill as many Muslims as possible – at least 100 – more than the number Tarrant killed," Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam told reporters. "He also wanted to livestream his attack." He added, "At the point of his arrest, he had already made multiple attempts to acquire firearms. He admitted to the MHA that if he had managed to acquire firearms, he would have proceeded with his attack."   

The teenager had been in online contact with another youth, 18-year-old Nick Lee, who was also detained in December for a similar plot.

In recent years, the multicultural nation of Singapore has seen several cases of young Singaporeans being detained for plotting attacks after being exposed to extremist online content.   

In 2024, authorities also arrested a teenager who allegedly planned an ISIS-inspired knife attack in a crowded suburban area.   

In its Wednesday statement, the MHA also disclosed that a 15-year-old girl was placed on a Restriction Order in February, which includes a travel ban and a prohibition on accessing the internet without the Director of Internal Security's approval.

Authorities alleged that the girl had engaged in at least eight short-lived online relationships with overseas-based ISIS supporters between July 2023 and December 2024.

"She went about to take a bai'ah (pledge of allegiance) to an ISIS chatbot," Minister Shanmugam said. "She wanted to fight and die for ISIS. She looked up flight routes to Syria. She thought about how to raise money for her travel plans."

He added that the growing trend of self-radicalization and extremism among young people through the internet was "worrying."

"Self-radicalization can take place very quickly," the MHA stated, noting that in the 15-year-old girl's case, it took "only a matter of weeks," and urged the public to "be vigilant for signs."

Additional Background and Context:

Brenton Tarrant and the Christchurch Mosque Shootings: Brenton Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist, committed the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, 2019. His actions and extremist ideology have inspired other individuals with similar beliefs globally.   

East Asian Supremacism: While white supremacism is a more widely recognized ideology, the concept of "East Asian supremacism" suggests a belief in the superiority of East Asian people and culture over other racial groups. This ideology often draws on historical narratives, cultural pride, and sometimes intersects with other forms of racial or ethnic nationalism.   

Singapore's Security Measures: Singapore maintains a robust internal security apparatus and takes a firm stance against any form of extremism or terrorism. The Internal Security Act (ISA) allows for detention without trial in cases where individuals are deemed a threat to national security.   

Online Radicalization: The internet and social media platforms have become significant avenues for the spread of extremist ideologies and the radicalization of individuals. Terrorist and extremist groups often use online platforms for recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and communication.   

Restriction Orders: In Singapore, Restriction Orders are issued under the Internal Security Act. They are preventative measures imposed on individuals who are assessed to be a security threat but do not warrant outright detention. These orders can include conditions such as travel bans, restrictions on association, and limitations on internet access.   

ISIS and Online Recruitment: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been highly effective in using online platforms to recruit individuals globally. Their propaganda often targets vulnerable individuals, including youth, and encourages them to carry out attacks in their home countries or travel to join the group in conflict zones. Bai'ah is an Arabic term for an oath of allegiance, often sworn to a leader or cause.   

This recent case highlights the ongoing concern of self-radicalization, particularly among young people, fueled by extremist content available online. Singaporean authorities remain vigilant in monitoring and countering such threats to maintain the country's social harmony and security. The disclosure of these cases serves as a reminder of the persistent ideological challenges posed by extremist groups and the importance of community awareness and early intervention.

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