PUTTING THE PEOPLE FIRST: AN ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNMENT ROLE IN COMMUNITY-DRIVEN REHABILITATION AND RADICALIZATION PREVENTION EFFORTS IN SINGAPORE (2009 – 2018)

Abstract

Terrorism and radicalization are threats to national security as they threaten the stability of a state’s wellbeing. Singapore, located in the Southeast Asia region with a multi-cultural and multi-religious society, understands that terrorism and radicalization could hurt their harmonious society that takes decades to be built. After the discovery of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) branch in Singapore in the late 2001, the government has embraced its Muslim community to work against radicalism and terrorism. Some initiatives are created under the community-driven approach such as Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) and Aftercare Group (ACG) to help the government providing counselling sessions as well as integrating the detainees back to the Singapore society. This thesis examines the relation between the Muslim community and Singapore government in the deradicalization efforts during 2009 – 2018. This thesis found that although the Singapore government has its limitation in conducting the deradicalization efforts, the government has provided means for the Singapore Muslim community to contribute in the deradicalization efforts in Singapore Muslim identity, administration of Islamic education, and community financing.