Formed 17 February 1966 | Agency executive Classified | |
Preceding agency Special Branch, as part of the Malayan Security Service (1948) Jurisdiction Government of Singapore Headquarters New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore Minister responsible Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Home Affairs |
The Internal Security Department (ISD; Chinese: 内部安全局; pinyin: nèi bù ān quán jú; Malay: Jabatan Keselamatan Dalam Negeri; Tamil: உள்நாட்டுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை) is a domestic intelligence agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore. It was formerly part of the Ministry of Interior and Defence until it was split on 11 August 1970. It has the utmost right to detain without trial individuals suspected to be a threat to national security.
Contents
The stated mission is to confront and address security threats, including international terrorism, foreign subversion and espionage. The ISD also monitors and addresses potential threats from communism, prevention of racial tension which might affect the public peace, domestic counterterrorism, international counterterrorism, fraud against the state, surveillance, apprehension of suspected militants or terrorists and protection of Singapore's national borders.
Most of its manpower is drawn from the Singapore Police Force.
History
ISD was first established as part of the Special Branch in 1948 by the British colonial government. In 1963, it became part of the Malaysian Special Branch when Singapore joined Malaysia. After Singapore gained independence, Internal Security Department was formally established on 17 February 1966.
Legislation
The powers of investigation and arrest of the ISD are regulated by several laws, including:
Timeline
These events are related to ISD and internal security of Singapore.
Known Directors
The identity of ISD's director is not conspicuously made known to the public, until he relinquishes the post. Many of ISD's former directors went on to take up higher offices, including: