Internal Security Department (Singapore)

1°19′24.58″N 103°50′38.72″E The Internal Security Department (ISD) is the domestic counter-intelligence and security agency of Singapore under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), tasked to confront and address security threats, including both domestic and international terrorism, and foreign subversion and espionage. The ISD has the utmost right to detain without trial individuals suspected to be a threat to national security.

For the Bruneian domestic intelligence agency of the same name, see Internal Security Department (Brunei).
Internal Security Department
Agency overview
Formed17 February 1966 (1966-02-17)
Preceding agency
  • Special Branch, as part of the Malayan Security Service (1948)
HeadquartersNew Phoenix Park, 30 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore
Minister responsible
Parent agencyMinistry of Home Affairs
Websitemha.gov.sg/isd

The role of ISD ranges from monitoring and addressing potential threats from communism; racial tension, which might affect public order; domestic and international terrorism; foreign surveillance; fraud against the state to the apprehension of suspected militants or terrorists.

History

ISD was first established as part of the Special Branch in 1948 by the British colonial government. The unit was previously known as the Criminal Intelligence Department when it was established in 1918.[1]

In 1963, it became part of the Malaysian Special Branch when Singapore merged with Malaysia. After Singapore gained independence, the Internal Security Department was formally established on 17 February 1966.[1]

It was formerly part of the Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID) until it was split on 11 August 1970. In 2004, it was placed under the Joint Counter Terrorism Centre to improve intelligence sharing with other national intelligence agencies.[2]

Legislation

The powers of investigation and arrest of the ISD are regulated by several laws, including:[3]

Timeline
See also: Timeline of Singaporean history

These events are related to ISD and internal security of Singapore.

Directors

The following is a list of former Director of the Internal Security Department. The identity of the director is not conspicuously made known to the public, until they relinquish the post.

NameIn officeNotesReferences
Yoong Siew Wah ?–1974[13][14]
Wang Hsu Chih1974–?(acting)[14]
Lim Chye Heng1975–1982[15][16]
Eddie Teo1982–1986[17]
Tjong Yik Min1986–1993[18][19]
Chiang Chie Foo1993–1997[20][21]
Benny Lim Siang Hoe1997–2003[21][22]
Pang Kin Keong ?–2010[23][24][25]
Loh Ngai Seng2010–2016[23][26]
Tai Wei Shyong2016–?[27]

See also

References
  1. https://www.mha.gov.sg/isd/a-cause-greater-than-our-self
  2. Nathan, Dominic (21 July 2004). "New agency gives security top priority". The Straits Times. p. 1.
  3. "About ISD". Internal Security Department. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  4. ""Countering Threats", Ministry of Home Affairs". Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  5. "Mas Selamat was PLOTTING HITS ON S'PORE" (PDF). Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  6. ""Pastor called up by ISD", Straits Times". Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  7. Lim, Min Zhang (27 January 2021). "16-year old Singaporean detained under ISA for planning terror attacks on two mosques". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  8. Mahmud, Aqil Haziq (27 January 2021). "16-year-old Singaporean detained under ISA after planning to attack Muslims at 2 mosques". CNA. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  9. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dickson-yeo-released-spy-isd-china-us-singapore-2378381
  10. Baharuddin, Hariz (10 March 2021). "Singaporean youth detained under ISA for planning knife attack on Jews leaving synagogue". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  11. Jaipragas, Bhavan (10 March 2021). "Singapore detains man who plotted knife attack on Jews; considers tighter security at places of worship". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  12. "Suspect detained over planned attack on Singapore synagogue". Ynet. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. "Security chief upgraded to Director". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  14. "Transfer for ISD chief Yoong". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  15. "Head of ISDto give up job in October". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  16. "Chye Heng named ISD acting director". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  17. https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/eddie-teo-chan-seng
  18. "SPH appoints new director". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  19. "Former scholar is ISD head". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  20. "ISD chief's new post". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  21. "New director for Internal Security Dept". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  22. "Top civil servants move". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  23. "Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretary Appointments". www.psd.gov.sg. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  24. "APPOINTMENT OF HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE AND PERMANENT SECRETARIES" (PDF).
  25. New appointments for other permanent secretaries, The Straits Times, 13 August 2010
  26. hermesauto (8 December 2015). "Internal Security chief takes on second role".
  27. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/supreme-court-high-court-judges-judicial-commissioner-agc-570616

Further reading
  • Lee Kuan Yew. (1998). The Singapore Story. Federal Publications. ISBN 0-13-020803-5
  • Mathew Jones, "Creating Malaysia: Singapore Security, the Borneo Territories and the Contours of British Policy, 1961–1963" in Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, Vol. 28, No. 2, May 2000. pp. 85–109
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