Three Indonesians Detained in Singapore for Supporting Terror Groups
Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three Indonesian women are currently held at Changi Prison in Singapore under the city-state's Internal Security Act over their alleged involvement in "radical activities."
Singaporean authorities initially arrested four Indonesian migrant workers, but later released one after a preliminary investigation, Yudha Nugraha, director of citizen protection and legal aid at the foreign ministry, said in Jakarta on Monday evening.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore received information from the Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs' Internal Security Department about the arrest of four migrant workers, R.H., T.M., A.A. and S.S. under the Internal Security Act, based on suspicions over their involvement in radical activities, including the transfer of funds in support of it," Yudha said.
The embassy requested consular access to the four and on Sept. 13, an Indonesian official met with S.S., who was released and deported two days later, due to a lack of evidence.
"Embassy staff visited R.H., T.M. and A.A. at Changi Prison on Sept. 19," Yudha said.
The Singaporean home affairs ministry released a statement on Monday, identifying the three Indonesian detainees as Anindia Afiyantari (33), Retno Hernayani (36) and Turmini (31).
The three women had been employed as domestic workers in the city-state for between six and 13 years and were reportedly radicalized by online contacts last year.
"They viewed online materials related to the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and became convinced that ISIS was fighting for Islam and that its use of violence against 'infidels' was justified," the home affairs ministry said in the statement, using an alternative acronym for the terror group.
Anindia and Retno used to meet on their off days, while Turmini was only in contact with them through social media.
"All three also became strong supporters of the Indonesia-based ISIS-affiliated terror group Jemaah Ansharut Daulah," the ministry said.
The three workers further actively supported the terror groups, both financially and by amplifying their propaganda through multiple social media accounts.
"Anindia was prepared to take up arms for ISIS in Syria and become a suicide bomber, while Retno aspired to live among ISIS fighters in Syria and participate in the conflict there," the Singaporean ministry said.
Turmini, meanwhile, believed her donations to the terror groups would benefit her in the afterlife.
The three workers also used to listen to online sermons by radical Indonesian preachers, such as former Jemaah Ansharut Daulah leader Aman Abdurrahman, who is currently on death row.
The ministry said although the three women did not appear to have any plans to launch attacks in Singapore, the authorities act strictly against any form of support for terrorism inside the country.
The Singaporean government did not indicate how long the three women would be held. The Indonesian government said they are being treated well and that the embassy would continue to monitor their cases.
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