Move to Swop Biometric Info on Militants Across Borders

The Straits Times

11 August 2016

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia yesterday agreed that the systematic exchange of biometric information like fingerprints on known militants and terror convicts is a key priority in the fight against terrorism.

Singapore Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, at separate meetings with his counterparts from both countries, also agreed that regular sharing of best practices in deradicalisation and countering violent extremism was a top priority, his ministry said in a statement.

The meetings come after Indonesia arrested six people in Batam last Friday over a terror plot to launch an attack on Singapore’s Marina Bay using a rocket.

… Professor Rohan Gunaratna of Singapore’s International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research said systematic exchange of biometric data is key. He cited how several JI members fled Singapore and travelled in the region after a 2001 crackdown on the group, before being nabbed.

“Counter-terrorism cooperation between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia is critical for the stability and security of all three countries,” he added.

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