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5 maids working in Singapore radicalized: ministry

Xinhua, December 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Five maids working in Singapore were investigated over the past two years for suspected radicalism, said Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement on Monday.

The ministry said the maids were among some 70 foreigners investigated for radicalism.

"None of them had any plans to carry out acts of violence in Singapore at the time they were investigated, but as they were in various stages of radicalism, their presence posed a security concern for Singapore," said the ministry spokesperson.

It noted that the majority of the foreigners investigated were radicalized by propaganda on social media, and some in turn radicalized others.

The ministry added that it requires more than government effort to tackle radicalism as it has been a "prevalent phenomenon all over the world" to promote radicalism through social media platforms.

"Owners of social media platforms also have to play their part in ensuring that their platforms are not used to promote radicalism and terrorism," the spokesperson added.

"The security agencies meanwhile continue to work closely with their foreign counterparts to share intelligence on terrorism activities," said the ministry.

Four Bangladeshi nationals were put in jail for plotting to support Bangladesh's terror attacks in July. In August, four Singaporeans were dealt with under the Internal Security Act for supporting the Islamic State militant group. Endit