SINGAPORE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's terrorism threat remains the highest in recent years, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday.
In a Terrorism Threat Assessment Report, MHA said the state's security agencies remain on high vigilance as Singapore was specifically targeted in the past year and the regional threat has heightened.
The report identified the Islamic State (IS) as the most serious threat to Singapore which has "shaped Singapore's security landscape for the last few years."
IS was responsible for several attacks across Southeast Asia in 2016, including a suicide-bombing-cum-shooting in Indonesia's Jakarta, and the grenade attack in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pro-IS militants could set up base in parts of Southeast Asia which are more difficult for security agencies to deal with, the ministry said.
It cautioned that Singapore is a key target of terrorist groups as it has taken part in international coalitions against terrorism and represent many things that are anathema to IS.
"It had already plotted to carry out two attacks against Singapore that the authorities are aware of," it added.
In addition, MHA said Singapore also faces potential attack by radicalized individuals who may heed the call of the IS group to carry out attacks wherever they are residing.
MHA noted that the number of radicalized Singaporeans detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) recorded a significant increase trend over the past few years.
"Radicalized individuals are a grave security concern. Such attacks are hard to prevent, and can happen quickly without much warning," added MHA. Enditem
