A 26-year-old Singaporean man has been charged with making a false terrorist threat after a suspicious item was found at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah.
Kokulananthan Mohan was charged on Monday (Dec 22) under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations.
According to court documents, Kokulananthan is accused of placing three cardboard rolls filled with stone pebbles and fitted with protruding red wires, bound together with black and yellow adhesive tape, within the church compound at about 7.11am on Sunday.
The act was allegedly intended to cause a church staff member, identified as Richard Lee Leong Hee, to believe that the item was capable of exploding or igniting, potentially resulting in injury or property damage.
In a statement, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was staged, involving a self-fabricated item designed to resemble an improvised explosive device.
Police added that Kokulananthan is believed to have acted alone and that there is no evidence to suggest the case was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terrorism.
The accused was remanded for three weeks for psychiatric evaluation and is scheduled to return to court on Jan 12.
During the court proceedings, Kokulananthan initially cited a “miscommunication” regarding his previous hospital admission, clarifying that it was related to alcohol consumption and had since been resolved. The judge said the psychiatric assessment was sought based on the investigating officer’s observations of his conduct during the arrest and police operations.
Kokulananthan later explained that his behaviour was due to a lack of sleep, as he works night shifts. The judge advised him to raise this explanation during the medical evaluation.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.
St Joseph’s Church along Upper Bukit Timah Road was evacuated on Sunday morning after police received a call at about 7.10am reporting a suspicious item.
Upon arrival, the suspect — a church volunteer — claimed he had found the object in a drain within the church grounds. Police said he later immobilised himself while holding on to the item.
As a precaution, the area was secured and the church evacuated, with the Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group deployed to assess the situation.
After checks, the item was confirmed at about 10.40am to contain no explosive materials and was identified as three cardboard rolls with wires taped together. The police cordon was lifted at 5.10pm, and no injuries were reported.
All Mass services scheduled for Sunday were cancelled, though the church said services resumed as usual from Monday.
