48-year-old man arrested for alleged attack on Madrasah students

"The students, aged 14 to 16 were on their separate ways to the madrasah when the man caused hurt to them," police said in a news release. 

File photo of Madrasah Al-Ma'arif Al-Islamiah. (Photo: Loke Kok Fai) 

SINGAPORE: A 48-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested in connection with an alleged attack on three Madrasah students, police announced on Saturday (Apr 2).

In a news release, police said they were informed of the incident on Friday at about 7.35am. A man caused hurt to three female students from Madrasah Al Maarif Al Islamiah in three separate incidents at Paya Lebar MRT station. 

"The students, aged 14 to 16 were on their separate ways to the madrasah when the man caused hurt to them," police said. 

The Madrasah's discipline mistress Nisha Mohd Hussein said in a Facebook post that the incident took place at 7.20am at Paya Lebar MRT station on Friday. 

Ms Nisha said the three students were allegedly kicked and hit by a man. "The first victim was kicked at the left thigh, 2nd victim was hit by the plastic bag containing a heavy item and the 3rd victim was hit in the same manner on one of her eyes," she wrote. 

The students described the attacker as a middle-aged man wearing a red T-shirt, light brown bermudas with black boots and carrying a green backpack and white plastic bag.

Ms Nisha appealed for eyewitness to come forward, but has since made her post private.

The school also released a statement on its Facebook page, stating that the affected students have been counselled and their parents contacted.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore on Saturday released a statement on the incident, urging members of the public to stay calm and let justice take its course.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had on Friday asked the police to investigate the alleged attack. 

"At this point the motives for the attack are not clear," he said, but assured that "we will get to the bottom of it and ensure that justice is done".

AGGRESSION IN ANY FORM SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED: YAACOB IBRAHIM

On Saturday afternoon, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim wrote in a Facebook post that aggression in any form should not be tolerated.

"This is totally unacceptable. We should never tolerate any forms of aggression towards anyone, especially the innocent. The perpetrator must be brought to justice," he said, adding that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is working with the madrasah to assist the affected students. 

"We must stay calm and united and not let this incident divide us," Dr Yaacob said.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean said he was glad to see the police had arrested the suspect. 

"As a society we should stand together against all forms of violence against innocent persons, especially if there may be racial or religious undertones," DPM Teo said. 

Following the man's arrest, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said he was glad Singaporeans drew together and remained calm in the wake of the incident. 

"Let's not let anyone take advantage over incidents like this to incite hatred and division while it's being settled by the authorities," he said. 

“The police take a stern view of acts that could threaten the racial and religious harmony in Singapore. Any person who caused hurt to others on the basis of their race or religion will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence) and Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Tan Chye Hee.

Police investigations are ongoing.