Tougher penalties for those financing terrorism

[Someday]

Updated: 08/12/2013 18:25 | By Channel NewsAsia

Tougher penalties for those financing terrorism

SINGAPORE: Parliament has passed an amendment to the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Bill.

The Second Minister for Home Affairs, S Iswaran, said that given Singapore's status as a major financial centre in Asia-Pacific, it is important to protect the integrity of the banking system, and prevent it from abuse by those seeking to fund terrorist activity.

Among the changes, the Bill enhances the penalties for terrorism financing offences. The maximum fine is raised from S$100,000 to S$500,000 for individuals, and to S$1 million for entities.

The Bill also introduces a new section which will make it an offence to disclose information likely to prejudice an investigation of a terrorism financing offence under the Act.

Mr Iswaran said: "To prevent a terrorist attack on Singapore, we have adopted a holistic strategy that not only seeks to harden Singapore against attacks through robust security measures, but also emphasises upstream preventive measures...

"The proposed amendments will boost our fight against terrorism by strengthening our counter terrorism financing regime and supporting our terrorist rehabilitation efforts.

"Terrorism is an international threat supported by a global network of terrorism financing operations. This requires close international coordination, supported by international bodies such as the FATF (Financial Action Task Force).

"The proposed legislative amendments are in line with international practices and FATF standards, and will enhance the government's effectiveness in countering terrorism financing." - CNA/ac

 

[Kohliantye]

Individuals and Entities included in the bill with the latter being much more heavily fined.

Good work ISwaran.

But please tell us what you plan with countries that are also included in the latter list.

Malaysia openly assist and supports the Pattani Movement in South Thailand, the Moros in Phillippines and the Palestinians and others.

Pakistan assist the terrorists in India and the Talibans against the Americans. It also gave sanctuary to the Al-Qaeda Commander-in-Chief, Osama.

Myanmar is also not innocent in this aspect.

China too has a dirty hand in Tibet, Sinkiang and other areas.

So many governments actively assist terrorists abroad.

Iswaran, does your law takes into consideration the above and consider such acts by governments as "Entities" too?

Please speak out loud now.

We shoukld practise what we preach - off course not like some brigands from places of worship........