Internal Security Department

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Logo of the Internal Security Department

Internal Security Department (ISD) is an agency of the Government of Singapore under the hierarchy of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a ministry of interior. It was formerly part of the Ministry of the Interior and Defence until it was split in 11 August 1970.

Its stated mission is to confront and address security threats including international terrorism, foreign subversion and espionage. The ISD also monitors and addresses potential threats from communalism or racial and religious extremism, stating that this is to ensure stability as Singapore is a multi-ethnic society.

The powers of investigation and arrest by the ISD are regulated by several laws, including

Criminal Procedure Code
Official Secrets Act
Internal Security Act
Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act

1 History
2 Timeline
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

ISD was first established as the Special Branch in 1948 by the British colonial government. In 1963, it became part of the Malaysian Special Branch when Singapore joined the Malayan Federation. After Singapore gained independence, Internal Security Department was formally established on 17 February 1966.

[edit] Timeline

See also: Timeline of Singaporean history

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

1950, Maria Hertogh riots
1963, arrest of left-wing politicians and trade unionists during Operation Coldstore
1964, 21 July - 8 September, Chinese-Malay riots, took place on Prophet Muhammad's birthday
1965, 10 March, MacDonald House bombing by Indonesian saboteurs killed 3 people, during the konfrontasi period
1966, arrest of 22 members of Barisan Sosialis.
1969, communal clashes spillover from May 13 Ethnic Riots - Malaysia
1974, 31 January, Laju incident, Japanese Red Army bombed petroleum tanks at Pulau Bukom and hijacked a ferry boat
1982, uncovered Singapore People's Liberation Organisation activities
1982, two Russian spies exposed for espionage activities
1985, local network of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam uncovered
1987, arrest of 22 alleged pro-Marxist activists during Operation Spectrum
1991, four Pakistanis hijacked Singapore Airlines Flight 117
1997, 1998, six arrested for involvement in espionage and foreign subversive activities
2001, 9 December, members of Jemaah Islamiyah arrested for bomb plot [1]