Singapore is not an easy target.

Even so, if terrorists were to strike it, the attack would likely be carried out by “self-radicalised” individuals consumed by terrorist ideology on the Internet.

Terrorism experts told The Straits Times that this is why Singapore needs to redouble its efforts to tackle the terror threat online.

The issue is something that should be “front and centre” for Singapore, said Dr Kumar Ramakrishna, head of policy studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has a big, strong social media presence and we know they are making a strong effort to target South-east Asian Muslims.”

… “What is happening online is difficult to control,” said Dr Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. “Singapore has to invest and build online platforms to counter terrorism – there has to be an effort to work with the community on this.”

… Singaporeans, too, appear to be vigilant, said Dr Norman Vasu, deputy head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security. Referring to “Exercise Times Square” in 2010, when police rigged smoking cars at locations around the island, Dr Vasu noted that 52 Singaporeans “instantly contacted the police”.