Thirteen are cell members of a clandestine organisation which calls itself Jemaah Islamiah. The remaining two have not so far been confirmed to belong to this organisation. Some members of the network are believed to have fled the country.

Several of those arrested had been to Afghanistan where they received short periods of training in Al-Qaeda terrorist camps.

All but one of those arrested are Singaporeans. The remaining person is an ex-Singaporean, who is now a Malaysian citizen.

The activities of this group included fund collection for terrorist groups, active surveillance of establishments in Singa-pore targeted for terrorist bombing, as well as attempts to procure materials for bomb construction, including large quantities of ammonium nitrate.

Among the items found in searches of their homes and offices were detailed information on bomb construction, photographs and video footage of target surveillance, Al-Qaeda linked material as well as tampered passports and forged immigration stamps.

Key figures of the Jemaah Islamiah, including several of those presently in custody, have links to militant elements in Malaysia and Indonesia. These foreign figures include one Hambali @ Nurjaman @ Riduan Isamuddin who is wanted by the Malaysian Police, and Abu Jibril who is presently held under ISA detention in Malaysia for KMM activities.

Investigations are continuing. The Government will make a full statement when the investigations are completed.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

5 JAN 2002