ISD: Indonesian terrorist who planned attack on Singapore may have wanted to strike again

JAKARTA – Singapore authorities have not yet ruled out the possibility that a recently arrested terror suspect who allegedly planned unexecuted attacks a decade ago may have been preparing another attack when he tried to enter the country a year later.

The investigation is ongoing and Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) said it was in close contact with its Indonesian counterparts regarding the latest arrest.

The Straits Times reported on September 3 that 51-year-old Indonesian national Yudi Lukito Kurniawan was arrested on August 21 in Gorontalo, north of Sulawesi island, for his current and past involvement and role in Indonesian terrorist networks.

In response to ST's queries, the ISD said it was aware that an Indonesian national, referred to in media reports as “YLK”, was recently arrested in Indonesia as part of a terrorism-related investigation.

These include his alleged links to the terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and his alleged involvement in an AQAP-linked plot to attack the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) in 2014, the ministry added.

“ISD first received information about the attack plan against SGX in 2016 and subsequently about YLK's alleged involvement in the plan and is working closely with the Indonesian authorities in the investigation.”

According to a statement sent to ST on September 3 by Detachment 88, the counter-terrorism unit of the Indonesian National Police, Yudi was with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda – when the plan to attack the SGX Centre in Shenton Way in Singapore was hatched.

ISD said YLK had been known to the department for terrorist activities since the early 2000s.

As a member of the Indonesian terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), YLK underwent militant training in Mindanao, Philippines from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

He was arrested and detained in Indonesia for illegal possession of weapons before later being released.

Due to its JI-related terrorist activities, the ISD had placed YLK on an entry watch list as part of its border protection measures.

The authority confirmed that he was denied entry and deported to Batam when he attempted to travel to Singapore in February 2015.

“ISD has not ruled out the possibility that YLK's attempted trip to Singapore was for reconnaissance purposes to advance the attack plan against the SGX,” it said.

Apart from the attempted visit to Singapore in 2015, he has not made any further visits to the Republic.

“The investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with our Indonesian colleagues regarding the recent arrest,” the department said.

The foiled plan is an indication that Singapore remains a “popular target” for global terrorist groups. ISD stressed that while there is no immediate threat to Singapore at this time, the risk remains high.

“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities to the authorities immediately.”