When Old‑School Gangsters Meet the Dark Side of the Internet
Picture this: two buddies in their early twenties—so close they practically shared a secret society—then one gets locked up for burglary. Fast forward fifteen years and the drama’s still simmering. Classic plot twist, right?
From Prison Jukebox to Social Media Shenanigans
- Yan (a nickname for privacy) wrapped up with Megat Shahdan Abdul Samad, nicknamed Shahdan, in 2002. Shahdan hit the shelves for six years.
- When Yan re‑struck a forgotten friendship on social media in 2015, the reunion was nothing short of a two‑year emotional roller coaster.
- Shahdan started pushing Yan toward “lone‑wolf” terror—think truck‑driving suicide missions and attacks on police pads.
Enter the Internal Security Department (ISD)
ISD stepped in like the well‑intentioned neighbor who tells you to dip your toes before swimming. Officers remembered Yan’s past and guided him to stay in contact—because a breakup with “danger” is easier if your ex is still texting.
The duo stayed in touch almost nightly, back into the early morning. It’s like those late‑night conspiratorial chats that everyone loves… except this one got a bit darker.
Shahdan’s Escapades from Booth to Battleground
- In 2014, Shahdan claimed he moved to the Middle East for a “work” gig.
- By 2017, he crashed into an ISIS propaganda video and the Ministry of Defense put him on their radar.
- Despite the friendly rants about religion and tributes to “fisabilillah”, his messages turned to “Singapore is the land of infidels”.
- He even dropped a photo holding an AK‑47—no shock, no surprise, basically a toddler’s style of “look at this big gun!”.
Can “Brother” Become “Brother‑in‑Holy War”?
Shahdan urged Yan to take a hijrah (migration) to Syria. He’d bragged about his two wives and kids living the “caliphate dream”. Yan, who has a house, kids, and a paycheck, had to pull back from the Doha scene—after all, no one wants to move to a conflict zone in the middle of a hard week.
Yes, I’d Stake an Eye Do Not
ISD reached out and let Yan keep talking—otherwise Shahdan might slip a mind‑controller into someone else’s bloodstream. Shan’s plan? Uphold the “bai‘ah” (ISIS oath) through a keffiyeh selfie video.
- Yan’s Instagram posts (thanks to ISD’s covert stalk timestamp) revealed his participation, but the attack plan was still dashed.
- In hot water: Shahdan pitched a lorry‑in‑crowd attack reminiscent of the Bastille Day cargo truck incident—one that killed many. Luckily, Yan took it as “Call me later after the traffic jam.”
- Another idea? P-S S: “let’s make it personal, target the police.” Yet again, Yan gave him the supersmooth “not today, bro.”
ISD’s Transition from “Watchful” to “Preclusive”
Officials confirm Shahdan tried to radicalise friends and family in Singapore but failed. He’d even try to get Yan’s attention with fireworks and gunfire in the background—one can sense the warzone echoing his fevers. By mid‑2017, he went offline after a brutal video propaganda performance; he likely did not make it out alive.
Yan’s Final Thought – “For the People (and my kids)!”
- “I’m grateful I didn’t go that path.”
- “He didn’t represent Islam at all.”
- “I want to keep Singapore safe and protect my family; future leaders deserve a free playground.”
So, if there’s a lesson from this sag—maybe it’s: friends can bloom into turmoil, but a baseline of “Hey, you can’t cross the line after 2024!”, or “If you’re bitten by a radical meme, turn to the cops, not the horror movies.” Either way, the world gets a wholesome reminder that maybe the internet is a great place to make friends, but you’ll need some extra help if it starts turning into a “Hey, let’s take over the world” party.
Singaporeans who joined ISIS
Who Are These Singaporeans?
Meet the four Singaporeans who, through various twists of fate, ended up walking the streets of hostile front lines in Syria and Iraq.
1. Megat Shahdan Abdul Samad
Originally off doing business in one of the Gulf’s bustling ports, Megat gradually slid into extremist circles. According to Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD), he found himself in the middle of a conflict zone where he met his end.
2. Fauziah Begum Khamal Bacha
Fauziah, a Melbourne‑dwelling wife of Australian Yasin Rizvic, was hit hard by the turmoil as well. The couple—plus their eldest son—were lost in the chaos of Syria. Thankfully, the Australian government rushed out the remaining three children to safety.
3. Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali
Alongside his family, Haja seized the chance to join the fight in Syria/Iraq. Their involvement in the outraged conflict remains, according to sources, undisclosed.
4. Maimunah Abdul Kadir
Like Haja, Maimunah traveled with her loved ones to the war zones, adding another chapter to the grim saga of Singaporean volunteers.
Will They Return Home?
The government hasn’t spotted any signs that these men and women plan to make a come‑back to Singapore. The stories are told with a sobering tone, but perhaps a bit of humor will lighten the weight of the tale.
Final Thoughts
While the headlines might feel like something straight out of a thriller, it’s crucial to remember the real people behind the statistics. Their journeys remind us that the path to radicalism can be paved with ordinary choices.
Original article appeared in The Straits Times. Full rights reserved.
