When is the Internal Security Act (ISA) used?

The ISA is used to address national security threats such as terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred motivated by race or religion.

A key feature of the ISA is preventive detention, which is used only as a last resort. Whenever possible, the Government will pursue prosecution under other relevant laws. For example, in July 2016, four Bangladeshi nationals were charged and convicted under the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act. They were part of a group initially detained under the ISA in April 2016 for supporting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) and their willingness to carry out violence overseas.

For more information on the ISA, please refer to the ISA Booklet via this link: isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/337/38ca8954-2f58-4584-8a91-0c7e5e8331d9/MHA-Resource-Kit---For-Publication.pdf