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ST/REVIEW/PAGES<PRI-031> FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 OPINION A31 OLD WAR, NEW METHODS Staying one step ahead of terrorists By M. NIRMALA SENIOR WRITER F THE 2001 plot by Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorists to at- tack Singapore had succeed- I ed, the carnage could have been five times that of the horrendous Bali nightclub bomb blast a year later. Painting this chilling scenario, terrorism expert Rohan Gu- naratna says that over 1,000 peo- ple in Singapore might have been killed because of the sheer quanti- ty of the explosives. The terrorists planned to use six trucks, each loaded with three tonnes of ammonium nitrate, and simultaneously ram them into dif- ferent targets in Singapore, ac- cording to a 2003 Singapore Gov- ernment White Paper on the JI ar- rests and the threat of terrorism. In comparison, the terrorists who killed 202 civilians in Bali used a single Mitsubishi van packed with just over one tonne of potassium chlorate. Potassium chlorate burns fast- er and is easier to turn into an ex- plosive than ammonium nitrate. Since the first wave of arrests of JI militants in Singapore in 2001, more than 60 men have been jailed for their involvement in planning terror attacks against Singapore. Of these, more than two-thirds have been released under orders restricting their movements. The swift response of the Singa- The Singapore authorities’ swift response in using tough anti-terrorism laws is one reason there has been no resurgence of the JI network here, says terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna. Other measures include pore authorities in using the coun- the rehabilitation of JI detainees by Muslim clerics, and the strong partnerships between the Government and the community. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN try’s tough anti-terrorism laws is one reason there has been no re- ates data on the changing security research centre in RSIS is also surgence of the JI network in Sin- Like father, like son landscape. It also advises security helping security agencies in Indo- gapore, says Dr Gunaratna, who agencies on ways of crafting ap- nesia, Pakistan and Afghanistan has studied global terrorism SECURITY expert Rohan the younger family members EXPLOITING WEAKNESSES propriate security responses. to build rehabilitation capabili- threats for more than 25 years. Gunaratna firmly believes that of jailed terrorists can be even Dr Gunaratna, 52, who ob- ties. Other measures include the re- cutting off the “blood” supply more dangerous than their Terrorists are like tained his PhD from St Andrews More significantly, the centre habilitation of JI detainees by Mus- to a terrorist network is elders,” he says. pickpockets, always University, Scotland, became a is mentoring younger officers to lim clerics, and the forging of critical if the terror threat is to Deputy Prime Minister Teo much-sought-after expert after be “capacity builders and thought strong partnerships between the be crippled. Chee Hean said in an looking for gaps and the 9/11 attacks. He also led a spe- leaders”. This year, three coun- Government and the community. Security agencies can do interview two years ago that loopholes in security cialist team that built the United ter-terrorism officers received But Singapore cannot afford to this by rehabilitating not just second-generation extremists systems to exploit. Nations database on Al-Qaeda. their PhDs while on attachment to become complacent. Even with the jailed terrorist but his were trying to rebuild the The author and editor of 18 RSIS. the best security measures in family members, as well, he disrupted terrorist network in – Terrorism expert Rohan books on terrorism, he is a mem- One of them is the current Pa- place, the United States and Brit- says. Singapore. Gunaratna ber of Israel’s international adviso- pua police chief Tito Karnavian. ain have suffered terrorist at- Fresh blood is pumped into “Some of them are sons of ry board for the International In- He was the former commander of tacks. Singapore’s security sys- the veins of terror groups hardcore first-generation JI PUBLIC’S ROLE stitute of Counter-Terrorism. Indonesia’s Densus 88. The others tem must be dynamic, retaining when angry family members of members, and they are trying The next phase in counter-ter- are Muslim clerics in RSIS, Dr Mu- an element of unpredictability. detainees become terrorists to establish links back in The public are the eyes rorism work, says Dr Gunaratna, hammad Haniff Hassan and Dr “Terrorists are like pickpockets, themselves and carry on the Singapore,” he added. and the ears of the is to strengthen community en- Mohamed Ali. always looking for gaps and loop- work of those jailed. One key figure being gagement. “The public are the Having interviewed dozens of holes in security systems to ex- One example is the son of watched is Abdul Rohim government. eyes and the ears of the govern- terrorists detained in the US, Iraq ploit,” says Dr Gunaratna. Mas Selamat Kastari, who was Bashir, the son of Abu Bakar ment”, he argues, noting that and Asia, Dr Gunaratna says he un- – Dr Gunaratna, on the need to arrested in Indonesia in Bashir, JI’s jailed Indonesian more than 80 per cent of coun- derstands the terrorist way of strengthen community October. Muhammad Hanif, spiritual leader. ter-terrorism work is achieved thinking. Security vacuums engagement to bolster 24, was deported to Singapore Dr Gunaratna says Abdul through such efforts. “On the surface, they look just counter-terrorism work TERRORISTS are attempting to ex- the following month. He is Rohim, dubbed the crown It was a hot lead from a Singa- like us, normal. But it is very diffi- ploit weaknesses in security mea- being investigated for prince of JI, runs Jemaah porean Muslim on the JI opera- cult to read their minds. They are sures in many countries. In 2011, allegedly planning terrorist Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), the tions here in 2001 that alerted the very determined to use violence Malaysia repealed its Internal Se- acts in Singapore. latest incarnation of JI. sakambangan in Indonesia, he can Singapore authorities to terrorist to achieve their political goals,” curity Act, a strict security law His father, a key Jemaah JAT operates openly in make phone calls, receive mem- plans. The informant revealed he adds. that let the government detain Islamiah (JI) leader now jailed Jakarta, even though it has bers of terrorist organisations and that, after the Sept 11, 2001 at- And, he warns, “they will give people without trial. The aim was in Singapore, had once been classified as a terrorist provide directions to his support- tacks in the US, Mohammad their lives for their cause”. to encourage the development of planned to hijack a plane from organisation by the US State ers. Dr Gunaratna also believes Aslam Yar Ali Khan, a Singapo- [email protected] a modern and functioning democ- Bangkok and crash it into Department, he says. that jailed terrorists must be made rean Muslim, boasted of his links This is a weekly series featuring people racy. But the authorities quickly Changi Airport. “Sometimes M. NIRMALA to work. Each prisoner, he notes, with Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin in the fight against terror. realised that without this law, Ma- costs countries around the world, Laden. Aslam also reportedly said laysia’s security was endangered. about US$100 (S$126) a day. he had been to battle in Afghani- To fill the vacuum, the Malay- stan. WATCH THE VIDEO sian government last year intro- of Al-Qaeda in Malaysia. He could Gunaratna believes that Indonesia Hot lead This tip-off started an inten- www.straitstimes.com duced the Security Offences (Spe- not be prosecuted for sending two must also implement laws to ban sive investigation by the Internal Dr Rohan Gunaratna cial Measures) Act, or Sosma. operatives to fight in Syria with terrorist groups and dismantle its HOLDING the title of Professor of Security Department that led the tells M. NIRMALA why But, the law has a downside. Al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda-associat- infrastructure. Security Studies, the security authorities to uncover the JI clan- countries need dynamic Malaysian terrorists who mount ed group. Unrepentant terrorists in jail expert heads the International destine network in Singapore. security systems an attack outside the country can- Over in Indonesia, Densus 88, must also be kept in isolation. Centre for Political Violence and to fight terrorism not be prosecuted under the new the country’s elite anti-terrorism This is currently not the case with Terrorism Research here. It was Capacity builders Download a QR code legislation. unit, has an effective strategy to Indonesian radical cleric Abu set up in 2002. Part of the S. Ra- reader app on your Dr Gunaratna cites the example catch, kill or otherwise disrupt ter- Bakar Bashir. Though locked up in jaratnam School of International TO FURTHER reduce terrorist smartphone and scan this of Yazid Sufaat, the alleged leader rorists and their activities. But Dr a high-security prison in Nu- Studies (RSIS), the centre gener- threats, Dr Gunaratna’s terrorism code for more information. QR code generated on http://qrcode.littleidiot.be Mum and Dad, let’s talk about death By RICHARD HARRIS Have “The Conversation”, and but fewer than three in 10 actually years ago, and in 2011 she learnt breaks in football broadcasts – Ms study showed that patients with have it early. For those who say engage in these conversations. that she had late-stage ovarian Boissiere thinks she and her newly diagnosed metastatic lung T WAS only as her mother they’re too uncomfortable to talk Ms Goodman urges families to cancer. 73-year-old father have been cancer who received palliative lay dying nearly seven years about end of life or say, “It’s too have the discussion around a kitch- At the same time, Ms Bois- brought closer together.
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