#Newsflash: Plot to hit Singapore's Marina Bay with rocket from Batam foiled

SINGAPORE: Indonesian authorities have arrested six terror suspects, including the group leader who had plans to fire a rocket from Batam in an attack on Singapore’s Marina Bay.

The men, aged between 19 and 46, were arrested at various locations across Batam. A stash of weapons was found at one of the locations, a housing complex, according to Indonesian media reports.

The six were allegedly from terrorist group KGR@Katibah GR - whose ringleader Gigih Rahmat Dewa, 31, is said to be behind the plot to attack Marina Bay.

The other five suspects are: Trio Syafrido, 46, a bank employee, and factory workers Eka Saputra, 35; Tarmidzi, 21; Hadi Gusti Yanda, 20; and M Tegar Sucianto, 19. The group is suspected of harbouring two Uighurs, according to Indonesian police.

“Yes, there were indeed plans for the attack. But the plans did not materialise,” Indonesian national police spokesperson Boy Rafli Amar was quoted in reports as saying.

The plan to fire the rocket missile from Batam was hatched with the help of Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting for Islamic State in Syria, reports said. Bahrun is believed to be one of the masterminds of an attack in January in central Jakarta, in which eight people were killed including the four attackers.

Gigih Rahmat is suspected of receiving and channelling funds for radical activities sourced from Bahrun.

Mr Boy Rafli said police had yet to determine the motive behind the plot or when the suspects were planning to launch the attack with rocket missiles - evidence of which has not been found.

The suspects are currently being investigated at special counter-terrorism squad Densus 88's headquarters for their involvement in Islamic State's Indonesian terror network.

SINGAPORE "AWARE" OF TERROR PLOT
In response to media queries, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it is aware of the attack plan and has been working with the Indonesian authorities since the discovery of the plot.

“Our security agencies have been coordinating closely with the Indonesian authorities since the discovery of this attack plot, to monitor the activities of the group and to apprehend those involved. We are grateful for the good cooperation by the Indonesian authorities and their actions to apprehend the group,” the ministry said.

The Singapore police and other agencies have stepped up inland and border security measures in response to this threat and the “prevailing security situation”, MHA added.

“This development highlights the seriousness of the terrorism threat to Singapore, and the importance of the SGSecure national movement. The public is advised to remain vigilant.”

- CNA/cy



News from Channel News Asia